The UAE delegation has returned home with 54 medals from the 10th Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa Regional Games, held in Cairo. The 28-member team, made up of 15 athletes along with coaches and support staff, competed across rhythmic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, powerlifting and equestrian, finishing with 21 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze medals.
The standout performer was equestrian athlete Mohammed Zubair Al Shamsi, who swept all three of his events to claim three individual gold medals. Speaking after the competition, he said he was proud to represent his country and to bring home such results.
Unlike previous editions held in a single host city, this year's Regional Games are being staged in stages across several countries, with the next leg set to take place in Oman. The Games serve as a key preparation milestone for athletes with intellectual disabilities ahead of the Special Olympics World Summer Games, scheduled for Santiago, Chile, in 2027.
UAE officials described the medal haul as evidence of sustained national investment in sport for people of determination, adding that training programmes for the next stage of competition are already under way. The delegation's strong showing in equestrian sport, which holds deep cultural roots in the UAE, drew particular attention from officials and fans alike.
The result places the UAE among the region's top-performing nations by medal count and underscores the impact of the country's domestic support programmes for athletes with intellectual disabilities, many of whom train year-round through dedicated Special Olympics UAE clubs before qualifying for international competition.