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Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmy was hailed as the first Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Ambassador. As an Ambassador, Fahmy will be charged with taking Special Olympics' message of inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities to the Arab nations and the world in addition to working directly with Special Olympics athletes in a variety of roles.
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Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Managing Director Ayman Abdel Wahab officially introduced Hussein Fahmy as the first Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Ambassador at a press conference attended by Special Olympics International Global Messenger Dina Galal (left) and Special Olympics International Board Member Dr. Ismail Osman (right), who expressed his happiness for the nomination of such a reputable actor. |
The selection of Fahmy to this role will increase public awareness and support of the Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa region, which includes more than 120,000 athletes.
Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Managing Director Abdel-Wahab welcomed Fahmy to the Special Olympics family and praised his support of the movement. “Even before being officially involved in Special Olympics, Fahmy has been keen to publicly express his beliefs about people with intellectual disabilities and insisted that they should have the same rights as their abled counterparts,” said Abdel-Wahab. “On past occasions, Fahmy has had an impressive and positive role in serving other humanitarian issues.We are glad to have such a respectful figure as our ambassador.” Abdel-Wahab added.
Following the announcement, Fahmy declared that he was honored to be selected as a Special Olympics Ambassador “Though I have never had the chance to contribute to Special Olympics before, I have been following all the activities of the movement in our region and around the world.” Fahmy said. “I realise the importance of these activities and the great human role the movement plays in changing the lives of the millions of people with intellectual disabilities all over the world. I have always wished to serve Special Olympics by any means,” he added. “Being a Goodwill Ambassador at the United Nations has made me very busy in the past and my schedule was always tight, but now that I have the chance, I willingly accept my new role as Special Olympics Ambassador,” said Fahmy.
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Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Managing Director Ayman Abdel Wahab pins a Special Olympics pin on the coat of new Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa Ambassador Hussein Fahmy. Abdel Wahab announced that the Special Olympics Ambassador initiative aims to create awareness and encourage all members of the community to be involved in the movement. After accepting his post, Fahmy stressed the important role that celebrities play in serving the Special Olympics movement and that he always has supported the movement locally. |
Fahmy called all his colleagues in the Arab region to contribute to the movement and offer their services to more than 12 million people with intellectual disabilities in the Middle East and North Africa region and the more than 170 million worldwide.
In 1998, Fahmy became the first Arab artist to be selected as a Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Development program. Since then, the actor has put all his effort, fame and popularity into his mission to fight drugs and poverty. He also participated in a workshop for media and arts professionals to spread awarness of the HIV virus and AIDS disease in the region.
Special Olympics is confident that with Fahmy's support, governments and non-governmental organizations will become much more aware of the benefits of the movement and the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.
Abdel-Wahab believes the selection of Fahmy as a Special Olympics Ambassador will open the door toward attracting more of the region's celebrities in the arts and sports world to serve the Special Olympics movement in the region.
As an Ambassador, Fahmy joins a select list of international supporters including California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, legend Muhammad Ali, Olympians Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner and performers Bono, Vanessa Williams and Jon Bon Jovi. |
