A team of volunteers from Watani, the UAE’s unique celebration of national identity, recently participated in the second edition of the Al Thiqah Club Wheel Basket Ball Championship, along with nine other teams from various civil and government institutions across the UAE.
Watani participated in the special sports event in line with its ‘Hero on Board’ campaign, launched in 2009 to commemorate the International Day of the Deaf. The campaign aims to honour and highlight the heroic role of disabled citizens in overcoming the challenges they face in their daily lives.
H.E. Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Watani, said, that Watani is committed to promoting integration of all members of the society and recognising the heroic role of the disabled members of the community.
“Members of our families and community with different disabilities are our champions and in fact the greatest of our heroes. For most of us sports is a leisure activity, but for the disabled it is a means to overcoming great challenges and difficulties. We are proud that our Watani team volunteers are among these heroes,” Al Mansoori said.
The Watani team, supervised by Ishac Al Obaidly, comprised players Mohammed Ayed, Ali Mohsen, Mohammed Ja’afar, Muthanna Mohammed, Moayyad Salem and Abdul Rahman Al Kazrouni.
"Watani would like to thank the organisers and sponsors of the tournament for providing us an opportunity to participate in such an extraordinary event. It is important for the disabled to feel that they belong to a community which cares for them, attends to their needs and respects their rights. This is a responsibility that has been given to all of us by the wise leadership of this country," added Al Mansoori.
