From October 1 to 5, 2025, Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa (SOMENA) hosted the very first Continental Matp Coach Training Seminar and Family Health Forum in Abu Dhabi. This groundbreaking week, held at the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO), welcomed delegations from 11 MENA programs, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Morocco, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Libya, Bahrainand the UAE along with 6 Africa programs including South Africa, Senegal, Madagascar, Kenya, NamibiaAnd Zimbabwe.
The week focused on empowering athletes with severe disabilities by promoting inclusive sports coaching, accessible healthcare services and regional family engagement. A major highlight was the MATP Coach Training Seminar, which gave coaches the tools to provide individualized, meaningful physical activity programs for athletes with severe or multiple disabilities. Technical MATP sessions were led by Dr. Eleni Rossides, Global Technical Advisor for MATP, and Dr. Niamh Mourton, Senior Manager for MATP at Special Olympics International. External speakers also covered topics such as injury prevention, mental health and sound healing. Practical workshops took place each day, helping coaches apply techniques and build an athlete-centred approach, while also covering volunteer management, safety and event design.
The event included a powerful MATP “Come & Try” demo, where 50 athletes presented customized sports activities designed specifically for athletes with high support needs. These demonstrations highlighted creativity, collaboration and the potential of inclusive sport. Meanwhile, health was an important pillar of this week’s activities. A total of 139 specialized screenings were conducted under the Healthy athletes program: 52 Special smiles49 Healthy hearingand 38 Fit feet. These screenings ensured that the athletes were healthy and prepared for physical activity.
At the same time, the Family Health Forum brought together families from the two regions to share experiences and collaborate in the areas of advocacy, inclusion and sustainable access to healthcare and sport. Families engaged in dialogue about access to health care, emotional support, and building community partnerships. They also presented local initiatives and shared best practices, highlighting the essential role families play in empowering athletes.
A key moment in the week was the training of five athlete leaders from Egypt, Kuwait and the UAE as assistant coaches for MATP.
Their participation marked an important step in the implementation of athlete-led programs, empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to take on leadership roles in coaching and development. Their inclusion highlighted the broader shift toward inclusive leadership within Special Olympics programming.
SOMENA chairman Ing. Ayman Abdel Wahab reflected: “This event is more than training – it is a celebration of human potential and a bold call for inclusive healthcare and sport.” The event left a lasting impact and reinforces the shared vision of building a world where every athlete, regardless of their abilities, is included and empowered.
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