• UAE vs Finland basketball match at the Special Olympics action at Adnec in Abu Dhabi.. All photos by Antonie Robertson / The National
    UAE vs Finland basketball match at the Special Olympics action at Adnec in Abu Dhabi.. All photos by Antonie Robertson / The National
  • UAE vs Finland basketball match.
    UAE vs Finland basketball match.
  • UAE vs Finland basketball match.
    UAE vs Finland basketball match.
  • Supporters of Finland watch the match.
    Supporters of Finland watch the match.
  • Rollerskating 100m Yazeed Ibrahim of Jordan.
    Rollerskating 100m Yazeed Ibrahim of Jordan.
  • Table tennis match between Tunisia and Portu Rico.
    Table tennis match between Tunisia and Portu Rico.
  • Table tennis match between Slovakia and Macau China.
    Table tennis match between Slovakia and Macau China.
  • Tatiana Savchenko of Russia, at power-lifting competition.
    Tatiana Savchenko of Russia, at power-lifting competition.
  • Saud Zayed of Libya at power-lifting competition.
    Saud Zayed of Libya at power-lifting competition.
  • Aytaj Samadova of Azerbaijan at power-lifting competition.
    Aytaj Samadova of Azerbaijan at power-lifting competition.
  • A basketball match between Kenya and Belgium.
    A basketball match between Kenya and Belgium.
  • A basketball match between Andora and Germany.
    A basketball match between Andora and Germany.
  • A basketball match between Nigeria and Luxembourg.
    A basketball match between Nigeria and Luxembourg.
  • A basketball match between Nigeria and Luxembourg.
    A basketball match between Nigeria and Luxembourg.
  • A bocce match between Oman and Mauritius.
    A bocce match between Oman and Mauritius.
  • Gymnastics competition.
    Gymnastics competition.
  • Gymnastics competition.
    Gymnastics competition.
  • Gymnastics competition.
    Gymnastics competition.
  • Botswana vs Peru volleyball match.
    Botswana vs Peru volleyball match.
  • Nigeria vs Germany volleyball match.
    Nigeria vs Germany volleyball match.
  • Nigeria vs Germany volleyball match.
    Nigeria vs Germany volleyball match.
  • German basketball team supporters.
    German basketball team supporters.
  • The National’s stand.
    The National’s stand.
  • Hungary team takes a break playing Foosball.
    Hungary team takes a break playing Foosball.
  • An Egypt and China athletes do an impromptu dance.
    An Egypt and China athletes do an impromptu dance.
  • Special Olympics action at Adnec.
    Special Olympics action at Adnec.
  • Special Olympics action at Adnec.
    Special Olympics action at Adnec.

Special Olympics: World Games in Abu Dhabi in full swing on day 1 - in pictures

he UAE basketballers got their quest for gold under way against Finland

The National

March 15, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

After fanfare, fireworks and Luis Fonsi at the opening ceremony, it was down to business of winning gold on day one of the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE women basketballers got their quest for gold under way against Finland while powelifting, bocce, volleyball and gymastics events began at Adnec in the capital.

Outside of Adnec Arena, the UAE Unified Football Team got their campaign back on track with a 4-0 win over South Africa.

Khalid Al Maamari scored a brace and goals from Ayman Al Maqbali and Abdelaziz Al Hamour gave the energetic home crowd something to savour at Zayed Sports City.

The UAE, who were edged out 2-1 by Spain on Tuesday, take on Jamaica in its final Group A match.

Check out the gallery above for the picture highlights on the first day of action

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