A Rare Speciality
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Transcript of A Rare Speciality
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8/3/2019 A Rare Speciality
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22011 issue 6
a RaReSpecialtytheReS no Stopping abdullah
a Special olympicS athlete
by
Cassey
oliveira
lke every other oy, aduh mut a mrr o oved pyng port.
but h potent gret pyer often went unnoted.
it w ony fter jonng shfh centre tht th true
portn ught the ttenton of h teher.
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a
bdullah is a champion in athletics, speed skating or
cycling. Mental disabilities may have hampered his
learning process, but as a performer, theres no stopping
this special athlete. His spirit unmatched!
oN-field iNsPiraTioN
Intellectual disability led to Abdullas uncontained hyperactivity, a
matter of major concern. Though with sports, it has now subdued.
Theres an overall change in his personality too.
I was always angry and unhappy. I used to never get proper sleep.
There were just no activities to be involved with, complained Abdullah.
Sports has brought me happiness; it has made me stronger. I like it
when Im training for Special Olympics. I practice a lot, so once I reach
home, I get a sound sleep too! says a now satised Abdullah.
As a Qatar Special Olympics (QSO) athlete, Abdullah is often
required to travel abroad for international tournaments, but his parents
dont tag along. The QSO committee insists on athletes travelling alone
it makes them independent. Abdullah too claims to have becomepretty independent in his daily life routines. For practice, I prepare my
own bag, keep all my equipment ready he says proudly.
Initially, his parents were skeptical about him travelling alone. They
would keep ringing up the Committee to keep a tab on Abdullah. All that
has gradually stopped now; they now call up just to say a casual hi.
They do become sad when I have to go away for any international
matches. When I return, they give me a tight hug and cry with happi-
ness. But they are no longer scared to send me alone, he says.
raPid 5
l Favourite sports: Skatingl Fitness regime: I cycle four times dailyl Loves to do: Watch football matchesl Favourite sportsperson: Felipe Jorge Loureiro
(Brazilian football player)l A thank-you to: My grandfather, he supports me a lot.
a CoaChs Take
Having spent considerable time with special needs people, coachAli has deciphered one special trait of theirs. He says, Thesepeople are pure from the heart. Unlike us, there is nothing
hidden inside. When they cheer for you, its whole-hearted.Abdullah is one of the top players in cycling and ice-skating.
Even the world was amazed that an athlete from Qatar, wherethere are no winters, no ice, can win medals in ice-skating, hesays. Since the QSO doesnt have provisions for ice-skating,Abdullah practices on the ice-rink at City Centre.
This Summer Games 2011, we have sent Abdullas name forcycling. The conrmations are due in February, and the coachhas his ngers crossed.
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his aChieveMeNTs
Abdullahs exemplary performance has inspired the parents of children
with similar disabilities. They are now motivated to let their children
participate in sports. One must play sports. It keeps you in good health and
makes you strong, just like me! he smiles.
off-field CharMer
Abdullah has an entertaining personality. Hes funny, likes to laugh, dance
and make friends. Its hard to forget him once you have interacted with him,
says his coach Ali Hudaib, who has had nine years of experience in coaching
at QSO. He says, From parents to players to volunteers, everybody keeps
asking How is Abdullah? He has the ability to communicate with anyone,
irrespective of the language they speak.
Its his eyes and smile that does the trick, claims Ali. And that is true; one
simply cant resist reciprocating his mischievously sweet smile!
Abdullah too remembers all those whom he has met and often misses
them. He has a picture of a girl named Akajua from Japan. She was a volun-
teer during the winter games in 2005. She was very helpful and gave me
everything I wanted. I keep in touch with her through emails, he says. Athome, his father calls him a trouble-maker. But being the eldest son amongst
his siblings, he is aware of his responsibilities. I love my siblings just as my
father loves me. If they do wrong, I tell them God is watching over you.
While at Shafallah, he is fondly loved by his classmates. He likes his school,
especially the library. I like books. I also like learning about business. I would
like to be a rich man someday! he says. And as Abdullah continues to cast a
lasting impression on all his acquaintances, for his father hes still the same,
a little naughty boy!
Tournament Game Position
International SpecialOlympics Games 2005
Ice skating 25m 55m
FirstFirst
Regional Special OlympicsMENA Games 2006
Long jump100 m race
FirstEighth
Regional Special OlympicsMENA Games 2008
Cycling 5km 10km
ThirdThird
International SpecialOlympics Games 2009
Ice-skating 111m 222m 333m
SecondThird
Second
how do The aThleTes TraiN?
The technical committee at QSO assigns a special team of
coaches for every category of disabilities. Based on the
category, they set training program such as:l Physical disabilities: Athletics and power-lifting
l Mental retardation: Athletics, power-lifting, table ten-nis, speed skating, bowling, swimming and football
l Visual impairments: Goalball and athleticsl Hearing loss: Football, bowling, and athletics
doNaTioN CaMPaiGN
For the International Summer Games that will be held
in Athens, Greece in June 2011, the participating P&G
brands have launched a donation campaign from Janu-
ary 25. With every purchase of any of these brands (e.g.Ariel, Tide, Fairy, Downy, Pampers, Always, Pantene,
H&S, Pert, Herbal Essences, Crest, Oral B, Olay, Camay,
Wella, Gillette) 1QR will be donated to Special Olympics-
MENA.
(File image)
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