By Abeer Anwar UNDER the auspices of Mrs Suzanne Mubarak, and honouring Magda Moussa, Ismailia hosted the Special Olympics Egypt National Games last week. Abeer Anwar attended. Special Olympics Egypt last week paid tribute to Mrs Magda Moussa, who passed away last year and was a pioneer in taking care of the mentally handicapped through a class she opened in her school. Gradually the number of mentally disabled attendees increased and the Special Olympics movement was introduced under Moussa's guidance. She dedicated her life to bringing happiness and achievement to the mentally handicapped. Following in the footsteps of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics International, Moussa was able to make Special Olympics Egypt an example to be followed. Indeed, the Egyptian programme was honoured as the best the world over. The opening ceremony of this year's National Games took place at Mubarak Sports Hall and was attended by Ismailia's governor who thanked Special Olympics Egypt for giving Ismailia governorate the opportunity to host -- and help in organising -- the event. "It is a great honour to us to host such an event of our beloved Special Olympics athletes." A parade of all participating governorates' athletes toured the hall followed by Magda Moussa's photograph as the Holy Quran was recited. The athletes came holding the "flame of hope" to announce the beginning of the games and the Special Olympics oath was repeated: "Let me win, but if I can't let me be brave in the attempt." Some 650 athletes representing 10 governorates (Cairo, Giza, 6 October, Helwan, Alexandria, Assiut, Ismailia, Monofia, Port Said and Marsa Matrouh) took part in the four-day event, competing in unified soccer, basketball, athletics, table tennis and weightlifting. Ismail Osman, Special Olympics Egypt manager, commented: "These National Games are the most important for all of us as we have worked all year long and it is time to collect the results. Such events are great opportunities for mentally disabled athletes to meet each other, compete together, form new friendships, and also for their families to get to know each other and exchange experiences."
