Saudi Special Olympics takes national pride to new level

An Report - Ibrahim Bin Besais 3 - 180924
0 seconds of 1 minute, 4 secondsVolume 90%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
Next Up
An Report - Ibrahim Bin Besais 1 - 180924
02:16
00:00
01:04
01:04
 
Short Url
Updated 22 September 2024
Follow

Saudi Special Olympics takes national pride to new level

Saudi Special Olympics takes national pride to new level

RIYADH: While Saudi Arabia’s Special Olympics federation serves to combat the isolation, inactivity and stigma experienced by people with disabilities, its teams have also gone on to prove their dominance on the world stage.

The Kingdom took home the gold medal for football after defeating Romania at the 2022 Special Olympics Unified Cup in Detroit in the US.

In the most recent Games in Berlin 2023, the Special Olympics Saudi Arabia delegation won nine gold medals, six silver and nine bronze.

Football coach Sara Al-Otaibi helped the women’s team to achieve a bronze in Berlin.




The Saudi Arabian team made history by winning the gold medal in the Special Olympics Unified Cup 2022 on Saturday. (Supplied)

“The focus was on visual training to develop some aspects of attention through concentration: Passing, shooting, defensive movements, as sight plays an important role in sports activities, especially football, which requires a high level of sensory-motor awareness to complete the motor requirements,” she told Arab News.

Since its establishment in 1994, Special Olympics Saudi Arabia has participated in more than eight World Games organized by the Special Olympics in Ireland, China, the US, and the UAE.

“Sports is one of the most important factors to be introduced in a child or adolescence’s routine to keep his life balanced and healthy, as well as help release energy positively and develop his skills and talents,” said Mohammed Al-Shareefi, an applied behavioral analyst and vocational rehabilitation specialist with experience working with players in the SOSA.

Mohammed ­­­Al-Mutairi, a 17-year-old cyclist, told Arab News that through training with the Special Olympics: “I changed a lot, gradually. All thanks to someone named Fahad Al-Wethlan. It was at the beginning, when I wasn’t capable. He saw me and told me you’re going to go high, and indeed, I did very well.” Al-Mutairi went on to score fifth place at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin.

These athletes don’t just play for fun, they play to win. Two of the social and academic teachings Al-Shareefi is adamant about are recognizing the difference between winning and losing, and the value of skill mastery.

“If (the athlete) learns to win, then he has mastered one of the skills listed for him. Every step presented to them is meticulously studied, specified and measurable,” Al-Shareefi said.

“I was so happy,” said gold medal judo player, Sara Al-Wazeenani, on her historic win in Berlin,­­­ “when I saw that… I was the first girl to represent Saudi internationally.”




Football practice with Special Olympics Saudi Arabia players at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Youth Hostels. (AN/Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)

Female Saudi players participated for the first time at the Berlin Games in several other sports as well, including football, swimming, weightlifting and equestrianism. The percentage of female representation in the delegation reached 59 percent.

Arab News also spoke to former basketball player and now Special Olympics coach, Ibrahim Bin Besais, who has more than 20 years of experience working with players with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Bin Besais said that the relationship between a player and his coach was a special one that extended beyond the sport. “You start to discover personalities,” he said.

“You treat him like he’s your own child,” bin Besais said. “You are a father to him before a coach.”

As a young player with an intellectual or developmental disability begins to learn a new skill, it is important that they be introduced to it step by step, along with the reasoning behind those steps.




Football practice with Special Olympics Saudi Arabia players at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Youth Hostels (AN/Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)

First, bin Besais explained, a specific goal is set so that the players have a clear target in mind. Then, it is important to simplify the intended skill as much as possible without giving too much unnecessary information.

Despite the challenges, “working with this group is a very beautiful thing,” Al-Shareefi said. “The feeling you get when you see any achievement or positive progression is indescribable.”

The Special Olympics was founded in the 1950s and early 1960s by American philanthropist Eunice Kennedy Shriver, after she saw the unjust treatment of people with intellectual disabilities.

Starting as a US summer day camp in the 1950s and eventually growing into a worldwide movement, the Special Olympics found its home in Saudi Arabia in 1994 under the chairmanship of Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Al-Mudayhish said.

It was officially declared a federation in 2019 by Minister of Sports Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Saud.

In addition to overseeing athletic programs across the country, SOSA also has health programs that provide the awareness and support to adopt a sustainably healthy lifestyle.

“I tell them that they have to eat healthy and take care of their bodies, exercise and stay fit so that they can be like the champions, like me,” says ­­­runner and health spokesperson, Ghazal Al-Khuzaiem.




Saudi Special Olympics team arrives in Germany to participate — for the first time — in 15 Olympic sports, with 85 male and female players. (Twitter/@saudiarabiaso)

Whether it is intellectual growth, exposure to other cultures, or forging strong relationships, bin Besais emphasized that athletics positively impacted every aspect of life, and should be part of every Saudi’s daily routine.

“The Kingdom’s direction and goal in raising the ceiling of women’s sports and in disability in particular, makes the pride and joy in the souls of the players clear with every kick,” Al-Otaibi said.

Bin Besais added: “We all love football, it is our first game. Though I am a basketball player, I started out as a football player in school. Most of the people (in the Kingdom) love this sport and consistently watch it.

“For those who have kids, I tell them this — grab the opportunity and gain the time, because every day that goes by that you don’t train, that you don’t work on yourself, is an opportunity for others to surpass you.”


MWL hosts forum to foster dialogue, promote Islamic unity

MWL will host second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects in March
MWL will host second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects in March
Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

MWL hosts forum to foster dialogue, promote Islamic unity

MWL will host second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects in March
  • Makkah conference will feature senior figures from various sects, denominations
  • Guide to common Islamic principles to be launched during forum

RIYADH: The Muslim World League will host the second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects on March 6-7 in Makkah, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The conference will bring together leading muftis, scholars, intellectuals, and representatives from senior Islamic councils, jurisprudential academies, and religious institutions across different sects and denominations.

It will serve as a unified platform for fostering constructive dialogue among diverse Islamic traditions as well as coordinating efforts and resources to strengthen Islamic unity, while ensuring mutual respect for doctrinal diversity.

The forum also aims to overcome sectarian disputes that have historically led to division and conflict, and promote fraternity and cohesion through practical initiatives.

This year’s conference marks a critical step in transforming the principles outlined in the inaugural conference into actionable programs, SPA said.

Discussions will address issues such as enhancing intra-Islamic dialogue and cooperation.

A highlight of the conference will be the launch of the encyclopedia of Islamic intellectual convergence, prepared by the Center for Safeguarding Intellect.

The encyclopedia, developed with contributions from 60 Islamic scholars and thinkers, aims to serve as a comprehensive guide to common Islamic principles.


Arab countries welcome Saudi Arabia’s hosting of talks between US, Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shake hands in Riyadh. (SPA)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shake hands in Riyadh. (SPA)
Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

Arab countries welcome Saudi Arabia’s hosting of talks between US, Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shake hands in Riyadh. (SPA)
  • Russia, US agree to start working toward ending conflict in Ukraine

RIYADH: Arab countries on Tuesday welcomed Saudi efforts to host talks in Riyadh between the US and Russia on the Ukraine conflict.

Russia and the US agreed to start working toward ending the conflict in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties, the two countries’ top diplomats said after the talks.

The UAE expressed “hope that the talks will serve as a significant step towards bridging differences, fostering communication and advancing dialogue to bring an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict,” the Emirates News Agency reported.

Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended the efforts of Saudi Arabia in hosting the talks “which reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting international peace efforts, and achieving global stability and prosperity.”

The ministry reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to supporting peaceful resolutions to conflicts and promoting international cooperation in addressing global challenges.

Majed Al-Ansari, the spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed Saudi efforts to lead the talks that “will hopefully result in peace in a struggle that has gone on for a very long time.”

Al-Ansari added: “We have called from day one for both parties to engage in a peaceful resolution of this war. This war has had huge humanitarian costs and great geopolitical (and) economic impact globally.”

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry also welcomed the talks and expressed the hope that they would “lead to achieving their desired goals in enhancing security and stability in the world.”

Sufyan Qudah, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, commended Saudi Arabia for its pivotal role in hosting the talks and said they highlighted the Kingdom’s continuous efforts to foster comprehensive and just peace worldwide.

The Palestinian presidency said the talks were a culmination of the wise policy pursued by Saudi Arabia’s leadership, adding that it was “a policy that fosters regional and international stability and affirms Riyadh’s commitment to its effective role in achieving peace and security.”


Manga exhibition in Jeddah explores evolution of Japanese artform

Manga exhibition in Jeddah explores evolution of Japanese artform
Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

Manga exhibition in Jeddah explores evolution of Japanese artform

Manga exhibition in Jeddah explores evolution of Japanese artform
  • Event strengthens bonds of friendship, cooperation between Kingdom and Japan, says consul-general

JEDDAH: As Saudi Arabia and Japan celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, the Consulate-General of Japan in Jeddah is marking the milestone with Manga Hokusai Manga, a three-week art exhibition running until March 8.

Organized in collaboration with the Jeddah Historical Development Project and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition explores the evolution of Japanese manga from the 19th-century works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai to the modern format that has gained widespread popularity in the Kingdom.

‘Futatasumakura,’ 1981 by Hinao Sugiura. (AN photos/Supplied)

Hosted at Bait Amir Bahar in Al-Balad, one of Jeddah’s historic homes, the exhibition highlights both the similarities and contrasts between the artistic styles while showcasing the cultural depth of Japanese storytelling.

Rather than simply focusing on how Hokusai’s work influenced manga, the exhibition invites visitors to compare both styles and understand what makes them unique. It examines themes such as visual storytelling, artistic techniques and cultural participation across different eras.

HIGHLIGHT

The exhibition in Jeddah explores the evolution of Japanese manga from the 19th-century works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai to the modern format that has gained widespread popularity in the Kingdom.

Hokusai’s manga drawings, while sometimes resembling cartoons, encompass a wide variety of subjects, from nature to human expressions and everyday life. Unlike modern comics, his work was not centered on humor but balanced artistic instruction with entertainment — much like how manga today combines storytelling with visual artistry.

‘Portrait of Hokuai,’ 2015, by Sawa Sakura. (AN photos/Supplied)

Hokusai created his manga using woodblock printing, transferring the images onto paper in three primary colors: Black, gray and pale peach. The collection, comprising 4,000 illustrations across almost 800 pages, was published between 1814 and 1878 in 15 volumes bound with string.

The phrase denshin kaishu, which precedes the title, translates to “transmitting the spirit and learning the craft,” highlighting the collection’s educational purpose.

Hosted at Bait Amir Bahar in Al-Balad, one of Jeddah’s historic homes, the Manga Hokusai Manga exhibition showcases the cultural depth of Japanese storytelling. (AN photos/Supplied)

Hokusai Manga was originally used as a reference book for aspiring artists, much like today’s “How to Draw Manga” guides. Similar to modern fan-made manga, his work encouraged learning, copying and artistic experimentation.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Daisuke Yamamoto, the consul-general of Japan in Jeddah, described Hokusai as one of Japan’s greatest artists, modernizing traditional print styles through innovations in subject matter and composition.

Daisuke Yamamoto, Consul-general of Japan in Jeddah

“Hokusai transformed the ukiyo-e genre traditionally focused on images of fleeting pleasures — by shifting its emphasis from people to landscapes and the changing seasons,” Yamamoto said. “His print designs invited audiences to witness nature’s transience, capturing birds in flight, flowers in bloom and water in motion. Through his work, he blended an acute awareness of the fleeting with a deep appreciation for the timeless.”

According to an official statement, Hokusai’s work captured Japan’s diverse landscapes, portraying scenes and activities connected by shared symbols and narratives. He was among the first artists to both shape and be shaped by globalization, drawing from international influences and later inspiring European artists who adopted his decorative motifs, serialized compositions and vision of contemporary society. To this day, countless artists continue to engage with his legacy.

(This exhibition) provides an opportunity for a wide range of people to know about each other’s culture, which will be reflected in the future in their understanding of each other and facilitate all other aspects of cooperation.

Daisuke Yamamoto, Consul-general of Japan in Jeddah

Reflecting on the exhibition’s significance, Yamamoto highlighted its role in strengthening cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan: “Holding this exhibition and other cultural events basically confirmed the excellent cultural cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia, and strengthens the bonds of friendship and cooperation, and provides an opportunity for a wide range of people to know about each other’s culture, which will be reflected in the future in their understanding of each other and facilitate all other aspects of cooperation.”

Hokusai’s manga drawings, while sometimes resembling cartoons, encompass a wide variety of subjects, from nature to human expressions and everyday life. (AN photos/Supplied)

Since the 1970s, Hokusai himself has appeared as a character in manga, reimagined by various artists in styles ranging from realistic portrayals to fantastical interpretations. This reflects manga’s evolution, blending historical figures with contemporary storytelling techniques.

Ukiyo-e, the popular art of the 18th and 19th centuries, foreshadowed comic techniques such as visualizing the invisible. However, its speech-like balloons often depicted dreams rather than dialogue, and weather lines were integrated into the scene rather than used as abstract symbols.

Hosted at Bait Amir Bahar in Al-Balad, one of Jeddah’s historic homes, the Manga Hokusai Manga exhibition showcases the cultural depth of Japanese storytelling. (AN photos/Supplied)

Hokusai’s most popular collection of printed drawings was named “manga.” While the collection is primarily known for its diverse subjects and painting style, its frequent portrayal of exaggerated expressions and acrobatic scenes has led many to associate “manga” with cartoons or humorous images.

When compared to the work of his contemporary, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, it becomes clear that Hokusai’s manga images were not necessarily intended to be funny.

In 19th-century Japan, the success of Hokusai’s manga was rooted in the balance between the mundane and the whimsical, instruction and entertainment. This blend helped secure the collection’s lasting appeal.

Today’s Japanese comics share similarities in content, particularly in their focus on capturing movement, and in their wide circulation, thanks to advancements in reproduction technology.

 


Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk app expands services for pilgrims

Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk app expands services for pilgrims
Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk app expands services for pilgrims

Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk app expands services for pilgrims
  • The Nusuk app serves visitors from over 100 countries in 10 languages, offering more than 120 services to facilitate their arrival and experience

MAKKAH: The Nusuk app, the official guide for pilgrims visiting the holy sites, has introduced new services to enhance the visitor experience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The updates include features that allow users to explore unique historical destinations, a tasbih service, a Hisnul Muslim guide for daily prayers and supplications, and Haramain Qur’anic recitations.

Additionally, the app offers awareness cards, interactive maps, an event calendar, and a comprehensive digital guide with multilingual instructions.

It also provides health information and services. Moreover, service providers can showcase their offerings electronically to Umrah pilgrims and visitors, according to the SPA.

The Nusuk app serves visitors from over 100 countries in 10 languages, offering more than 120 services to facilitate their arrival and experience.

Integrated with 25 government bodies and 10 business sector entities, the app aligns with the Kingdom’s digital transformation efforts to enhance technology use.

 


Saudi leadership congratulates Jordan king after successful surgery

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 18 February 2025
Follow

Saudi leadership congratulates Jordan king after successful surgery

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
  • King Abdullah left hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery
  • The 63-year-old monarch was admitted earlier in the day for an incisional hernia at King Hussein Medical City

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent cables of congratulations on Tuesday to Jordan’s King Abdullah after he underwent minor surgery.

In separate cables, the king and crown prince prayed for the Jordanian monarch’s health and happiness. 

King Abdullah left hospital on Tuesday after undergoing minor surgery, the Jordanian royal palace said.

The 63-year-old monarch was admitted earlier in the day for an incisional hernia at the country’s King Hussein Medical City.

He is set to resume his working schedule on Wednesday, according to the royal palace.