Sheikh Mohammed praises morale of Paralympic athletes

ABU DHABI // Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on Monday praised the morale and determination of the country’s Paralympians.

Sheikh Mohammed met the UAE Paralympic Games team at the Sea Palace. He congratulated the athletes on the trophies they won at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles last summer, and from other sporting events.

The Emirati athletes had displayed skills and potential worthy of gold medals, Sheikh Mohammed said, commending their determination to achieve the best results.

He said they were a source of pride for the UAE’s leadership and its people because their achievements had helped to raise the country’s stature in international sports.

“The real achievement is that they overcame the challenges and obstacles to fulfil their aspirations and creativity,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

The UAE team participated in 12 of 20 competitions at the Los Angeles Games and won 32 medals – 14 gold, nine silver and nine bronze.

Sheikh Mohammed also commended the UAE team’s administrative and technical staff, as well as the supporting authorities and sponsors.

Mohammed Al Hameli, chairman of the UAE Disabled Sports Federation, Majid Al Osaimi, deputy chairman of the federation, and other members attended the meeting.