RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s national delegation have arrived in Germany for the 16th Special Olympics World Games to be held in Berlin from June 17 to 25.
The Saudi delegation, led by National Director of the Saudi Special Olympics Abdulrahman Al-Quraishi, arrived on Tuesday in Duisburg, where they are staying for four days before leaving for the German capital.
The Kingdom has sent 130 members, the largest delegation in the history of the country’s participation.
The 85 male and female athletes will participate in 15 Olympic sports. Females make up 59 percent of the delegation.
Nineteen athletes will participate in volleyball, bocce, basketball, table tennis, handball and badminton.
Their stay in Duisburg will involve several cultural activities, including meeting with members of local communities and raising awareness of intellectual and other disabilities.
Maha Al-Juffali, president of the Saudi Special Olympics Federation, praised the International Special Olympics Organization for helping participants from the Middle East and North Africa region to take part in the event.
Al-Juffali said the aim of the federation is to improve the lives of people living with intellectual and other disabilities, through specially designed sports projects. The plan is to attract more private sector support to help train coaches and athletes.
Saudi Arabia’s special Olympics team arrives in Germany
https://arab.news/rqj35
Saudi Arabia’s special Olympics team arrives in Germany
- 130-member delegation, largest in Saudi history
- ‘Sport helps to improve lives of people with disabilities’
Rabiot double lifts Milan after early scare at Como
- Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points
COMO, Italy: AC Milan came from behind to earn a 3-1 victory at Como on Thursday, with Adrien Rabiot scoring twice to keep the away side in the Serie A title race.
Milan are second in the standings on 43 points, three behind rivals Inter Milan and three clear of Napoli in third, while Como are sixth with 34 points.
Como made the brighter start and took the lead after 10 minutes when Marc-Oliver Kempf rose to head home a corner.
Despite the hosts controlling much of the first half, Milan struck in stoppage time as Christopher Nkunku calmly converted from the penalty spot after Kempf was penalized for pushing Rabiot.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced a series of strong saves to keep Como at bay after the break before Milan took the lead in the 55th minute when Rabiot knocked the ball in from close range.
Como were denied an equalizer as Nico Paz saw his effort from outside the box crash against the crossbar. Milan then sealed the win two minutes from time when Rabiot caught the Como defense off guard with a low strike from distance that crept into the bottom corner.
“This was a team victory, we showed our mentality,” Rabiot told DAZN after being named Man of the Match.
“We suffered a lot in the first half, but we talked during the break, came out with a different mentality, we all came out fighting for the three points.
“We gave something extra and I am very happy to score two goals, obviously, but above all I’m pleased with the mentality of the team.”
While Rabiot provided the goals, another Frenchman, goalkeeper Maignan, made his mark with a string of crucial saves.
“We knew that playing here would be difficult, we were well-prepared. We started a little sluggish and they scored, but we managed to keep the game open, and then all together started to play as a team,” Maignan said.
“We know these are great nights for Milan with an atmosphere like this. We suffered, we used up a lot of energy and left it all on the field.”
