![Al Ain, UAE, March 8, 2018. UAE Special Olympics team training sessions. UAE Mem's Bowling Team, Saif Al Hashemi.
Victor Besa / The National
National
Reporter; Ramola Talwar](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N4RG256SVN2AZLMKDXUNDY37XU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a2e2bd3a949d62a0876908e92178b12059cb061bbad03e5c3b2db8c17923a7ed&width=400&height=225)
Saif Al Hashmi has 40 Special Olympics medals for swimming but is now competing in bowling for the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
Saif Al Hashmi has 40 Special Olympics medals for swimming but is now competing in bowling for the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
Former UAE swim champ shifts lanes to bowling
His mother speaks of happy sportsmen and women and a team infused with spirit and enthusiasm