The intellectually challenged enjoyed a stimulating time as they plotted the days to come. Abeer Anwar reports The Moroccan city of Marrakech last week hosted the third Special Olympics Global Athlete Congress in which 66 Special Olympics athletes representing 35 countries gathered to draw up their future. The GAC was hosted under the patronage of King Mohamed V of Morocco and under the leadership of Princess Lalla Amina, chairwoman of the Moroccan Special Olympics. Throughout the four days of activities athletes from around the world, including 20 SO athletes from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region gathered to discuss their future, the obstacles they face and ways to overcome them. The consensus was that the athletes were the best ones to discuss such critical issues as well as the future of their movement. Coming from many countries, the intellectually challenged were able to share their experiences, outline their future needs and ensure that their voices and opinions will be heard and taken into account in the 2011-2015 strategic plan. Top officials from the Special Olympics Movement and well-known names in society met to give a helping hand in preparing the plan which aims at attracting a greater number of SO athletes by the end of 2015. There are 200 million intellectually disabled people in the world according to a survey conducted this year. The GAC delegates also elected a new GAC chair, Matthew Williams from British Columbia, Canada. The athletes that serve on the GAC range in age from 16 to 50 and represent all seven SO global regions. "The diversity of delegates will help create a stronger voice for people with intellectual disabilities off the playing field and in a governmental setting," Ayman Abdel-Wahab, SO MENA managing director, said. Abdel-Wahab said the GAC is an extension of the Special Olympics Athletic Leadership Programs (ALPs), which provides leadership opportunities in governance, public speaking and coaching SO athletes. Princess Lalla said it was a great honour for the MENA region to be able to play host successfully and professionally to such global events. "We wanted to show the world we are no longer Third World countries. On the contrary we can host, organise and plan successfully for the future as it is the future of our dear SO athletes." She added that MENA was trying to reach out to 5.5 million athletes throughout the region by 2015 "so it is a great responsibility that we all have to work hard for and be up to the challenge." Abdel-Wahab, together with the managing directors of the six other regions, discussed ways of attracting more resources to help increase the number of SO sports and a greater number of participants. This is the third GAC in SO history. The first was held in May 2000 in The Netherlands where 67 athlete leaders took steps toward creating new terminology and the first global codes of conduct for athletes and coaches. The second convened in 2005 in Panama City, Panama and included 70 athletes from around the world. "This athlete congress is an opportunity for us as Special Olympics athletes to show the world our abilities while also serving as leaders of a movement that we want to see grow," said Dina Galal , SO International Global Messenger. "There are more than 200 million people worldwide with intellectual disabilities, so it is important for us that through this congress we can send a message to the world to accept us and make us part of their society." In a video conference call, Mrs Suzanne Mubarak, Egypt's first lady and SO Egypt chairwoman, congratulated the SO athletes for their efforts during the congress. She said all efforts should be integrated "to serve and attract more intellectually disabled athletes to this marvelous movement."
