Over for two
A Saudi family is offering a helping hand to mentally disabled athletes, writes Abeer Anwar
Saudi Arabia's Al-Jameel family has set an example by helping mentally disabled athletes. Its members decided to take part in the 2003 World Summer Games for the disabled in its own personal way, by giving the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) of the Special Olympics $120,000.
The money was used to buy airline tickets for athletes from seven countries in the region.
"We learnt about Special Olympics through some family friends," Fadi Al- Jameel, an elder in the family, told Al- Ahram Weekly. "We had heard a lot about Special Olympics and the great role the movement plays in the lives of the mentally disabled."
But Al-Jameel, photo, was unable to contact the body until last year when he met Ayman Abdel-Wahab, MENA's managing director, in Saudi Arabia.
"Some countries in the region are passing through difficult times -- wars and political problems -- while others can't afford to send mentally disabled athletes to the Games," Abdel-Wahab said.
"The Al-Jameels helped make it possible for those athletes to take part in one of the Special Olympics' biggest events," Abdel-Wahab added. "They helped make a dream come true."
"We have donated some of our money to a number of community welfare programmes and charities but this was the first time we entered the field of sports," Al-Jameel said.
Attending the 2003 World Summer Games in Dublin, Al- Jameel discovered what the Special Olympics meant. "It is fantastic to work with such athletes. They are lovely and are more determined than I ever imagined. I felt they are normal.
"It was also fantastic seeing all those dignitaries and famous people coming to share their time with the athletes. It was really a fulfiling experience, one I will never forget."
Al-Jameel said he had now recognised the role of the Special Olympics movement and how sports can "change such people to become effective members of their societies".
Al-Jameel added that his family is now interested in helping Egypt host the 2011 World Summer Games.
"Every one of us can help, either through providing the money needed for promoting MENA programmes or giving the effort. It is truly a rewarding experience," Al-Jameel added.
