(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
ABU DHABI, 7th October 2017 (WAM) - October 2017: Under the directives of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Special Olympics UAE will be re-established as an independent association acknowledged by the Ministry of Community Development.
The move comes after a series of meetings with representatives from Special Olympics International, the international governing body of the Special Olympics movement, and is in line with best practices of creating a more independent and robust organization which is focused on building a legacy for Special Olympics athletes who are citizens and residents of the UAE.
H.H. Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will serve as Honorary Chair of the newly restructured organization, with Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of Youth serving as Chair of the board.
Current Board members include Aisha Abdulla Miran, Assistant Secretary General, Strategy Management and Governance, Executive Council of Dubai; Talal Al Hashemi, Technical Director of Abu Dhabi Sports Council and ZHO Board Member; Mariam Al Meheiri, CEO of Two Four54 Media Zone, Mohamad Al Neaimi, Director, Education Office and Crown Prince Court; Ibrahim Abdelmalek, Undersecretary, General Authority for Sports and Youth; Tala Al Ramahi, Chief Strategy Officer, Special Olympics World Games 2019; Reem Al Fahim, CEO of Sedra Foundation; Butti Al Sheezawi, Special Olympics Athlete; Fatma Al Qassimi, Manager, Students Accessibility Services Department at Zayed University; Ayutka Thakur from the Integreat Centre for Special Needs, representatives from both Sharjah City for Humanitarian services and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research and Saeed Al Neyadi .
A Special Olympics athlete family member representative will also be voted in by parents of Special Olympics athletes to join the Board. In addition to this, one seat on the Board will be held for a businessperson. A full-time director will report to the Board and will be announced in the coming weeks.
The newly established organization will be based in Abu Dhabi and will work closely with the Local Organizing Committee of the Special Olympics World Games 2019 in an effort to share resources, and build on synergies leading up to the Special Olympics World Games 2019.
WAM/Hassan Bashir
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