The Games Begin with Extravagant Opening Ceremonies Athletes and VIPs applaud at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2006 Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Regional Games. At 7:30 p.m. on 11 November, the Opening Ceremonies of the 2006 Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Regional Games began at the Dubai Police Officers Club. The “Flame of Hope” glittered in the sky of Dubai as Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Rashed Al-Maktoum and his wife, HRH Princes Haya, looked on. Also present as guests of honor were Sheikh Mayed Bin Mohamed Bin Rashed Al-Maktoum, Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Managing Director Ayman Abdel-Wahab, top state officials, ambassadors of participating nations, and members of the Games Organizing Committee. Athletes from the 20 participating countries entered the stadium to joyful waves and cheers from the spectators, and all took the Special Olympics Athlete Oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Key supporters of the movement attended the Opening Ceremonies. The Games flag was raised, followed by a speech by the head of the Games Organizing Committee, Mr. Mohamed Al-Hamly, in which he welcomed the distinguished guests, wished all the athletes the best of luck in the competition, and expressed his hope that they would enjoy their stay at Dubai. Shriver and Abdel-Wahab also spoke. Abdel-Wahab described the 5th Regional Games as the largest ever, both in the number of participants and the number of sports included. Next Special Olympics athletes participated in a fantastic artistic showpiece of Emirates folklore and cultural heritage, and famous singer Hussein El-Jassemy performed a song specially prepared for the occasion. The “Flame of Hope” was brought to the stadium by a Torch Run of several celebrities, including the singer Hussein El-jassemy, the Emirate actress Aryam, Rally champion Mohamed Bin Selim and Emirates Olympic champion Sheikh Ahmed Bin Hashr, a gold medalist at the Athens Games. When the cauldron was lit, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Rashed declared the Games open. The evening concluded with the 100-meter athletics event, for which Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Rashed shot the starting gun. Return to Middle East/North Africa Regional Games home.