Sousse Welcomes Special Olympics Champions for Major Regional Sports Event

Tunis – Ahli Online – Today, the Tunisian city of Sousse opens its doors to welcome delegations participating in the first stage of the 10th Regional Games of the Special Olympics for the Middle East and North Africa, “Sousse 2026,” which will take place from June 16 to 22. This sporting and humanitarian event embodies values of inclusion, empowerment, and acceptance through sports.

Engineer Ayman Abdel Wahab, the regional president of the Special Olympics International for the Middle East and North Africa, emphasized that “what we will witness today in Sousse is not just a reception for participating delegations in a sporting event, but a genuine launch of a new regional vision that places athletes at the center of attention. We aim to expand the impact of the Special Olympics to reach more communities and Arab cities. We aspire for the regional games to become a sustainable platform for sports, inclusion, and human development, continuing its mission to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities and showcase their abilities across various fields.”.

Abdel Wahab noted that the regional movement of the Special Olympics has been experiencing continuous growth in recent years. He affirmed that true investment lies in building more inclusive and equitable communities where individuals with intellectual disabilities are active partners in development and shaping the future.

He also revealed that he is fully confident about all final preparations based on reports and field monitoring provided by Dr. Imad Mohy El-Din, Head of Sports and Training Sector, and Dr. Sherif El-Fouly, Head of Games and Competitions Sector. Both confirmed the readiness of sports facilities, accommodation venues, competition areas, as well as completion of all technical and organizational arrangements needed to receive delegations and commence competitions according to the approved schedule.

This stage of the games will see participation from 11 Special Olympics programs from the Middle East and North Africa region, totaling 228 participants including 142 athletes and 52 coaches who will compete in three beach sports: open water swimming, triathlon, and unified beach volleyball. This marks the first phase of the 10th Regional Games aimed at expanding opportunities for athletic participation and enhancing competitive continuity for athletes.