Middle East/North Africa

Fanside followed their journey in an article titled Morocco makes a statement at the Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup.

Special Olympics Saudi Arabia entered the Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup with a mission grounded in competitive drive.

At just 19 years old, Jamaican born 3x3 Basketball player Makayla Williams is already showing the world what determination looks like. She joined her Special Olympics program two years ago, driven by her love for basketball and the joy of competing alongside her teammates. 

Players and teams across San Juan, Puerto Rico, woke up energised after last night’s spectacular Opening Ceremony that officially launched the first-ever Special Olympics Unified 3x3 Basketball World Cup. From 5 – 7 December, 180 players from 27 countries will take to the courts at Distrito T-Mobile, carrying not only speed and strategy, but a shared purpose that defines Unified Sports.

Vania King, Alicia Molik, Jessica Pegula, Gabriela Dabrowski, Erin Routliffe, Iga Swiatek and Garcia joined Judy Murray to help stage the Special Olympics clinic on behalf of the WTA Foundation.

[Lausanne, Switzerland - 7 November 2025] Nestlé Health Science (NHSc) has announced a $2 million USD multi-year partnership with Special Olympics. The partnership will focus on Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), and the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® screening protocol.

[Katowice, Poland – 14 October 2025] The first-ever Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup took place 5 – 8 October in Katowice, Poland. Sixteen international teams competed, with Slovakia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) taking the men’s/mixed and women’s crowns, respectively.

From October 1 – 5, 2025, Special Olympics Middle East & North Africa (SOMENA) hosted the first-ever Continental MATP Coach Training Seminar and Family Health Forum in Abu Dhabi.

After an electric four days and 40 matches played, the inaugural Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup crowns its first-ever champions: Special Olympics United Arab Emirates (Women’s) and Special Olympics Slovakia (Men’s/Mixed).

At the heart of Abdel Rahman’s support system is Shahd, Abdel Rahman’s older sister, who realized early that being his sibling meant more than just growing up together; it meant standing up for him.