THE TORCH of the eighth regional Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa Games is touring a number of Egyptian governorates before reaching the Cairo Air Defence Force Stadium tomorrow, announcing the official opening of the Games held under the patronage of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. Over 1,000 athletes representing 15 countries and competing in 16 sports are entering the championship. Khaled Abdel-Aziz, minister of sports and youth, urged them all “to try and help increase public awareness of all Egyptians with the Games”. The torch rally attracted a great number of fans, players and tourists in the governorates. It started its relay from the High Dam in Aswan passing through Sohag, Assiut, Marsa Matrouh and Arish. Foreigners shared with Egypt's Special Olympics intellectually disabled athletes their happiness with the rally and took photos with them. The torch relay was also attended by a number of governors as it passed through Pharaonic temples and other historic monuments. National director of Special Olympics Egypt Amal Mobada said she was “grateful to all Egyptians who are backing the Special Olympics athletes with their heartfelt feelings that envelopes the athletes and cheers them up. The Games also sends a message to the whole world that Egypt is a safe place and will always welcome visitors the world over.”
