Al-Ahram Weekly Online 4 - 10 October 2001 Issue No.554
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875		Current issue | Previous issue | Site map

A role to play

Abdel-Wahab, flanked by disabled athletes

LEBANON last week hosted the first international Conference on Rehabilitation and Integration and the role played by sports. Guests included Ayman Abdel-Wahab, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Special Olympics managing director. Speaking to delegates from 14 countries, Abdel- Wahab made clear that sports help the disabled in general and mentally disabled in particular become integrated in their societies, turning them into active members.

Abdel-Wahab illustrated the role of the Special Olympics movement and how it has helped the mentally disabled worldwide. He cited the Egyptian experience where the number of handicapped players jumped from 2,000 to 15,000 in just three years.

Abdel-Wahab and Mohamed Nasser, the new MENA sports director, discussed the MENA Games to be held in Lebanon in January. Athletics -- track, the high jump, javelin, discus and shot put -- five-aside football, swimming, table tennis and basketball will be added to the roster for the first time.

This year torch bearers, who will include the disabled, will pass through the 18 participating countries before arriving in Lebanon.

Hala Al-Husseini is the new manager of Special Olympics Lebanon while Beshara Merheg is its chairman.

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