Special Olympics Saudi Arabia teams departed today, Monday, 15 June 2026, for Hammamet, Tunisia, to participate in the Special Olympics Middle East and North Africa Regional Beach Games, taking place from 16 to 22 June 2026.
Saudi Arabia will compete in three sports: Unified Beach Volleyball, Triathlon, and Open Water Swimming, as part of the first stage of the 10th Special Olympics MENA Regional Games, whose competitions will be hosted across several countries throughout 2026.
The Saudi delegation consists of 18 members, headed by Mr. Abdulrahman Buayshah as Head of Delegation, with Nawaf Al-Shahri serving as Deputy Head of Delegation, Ziyad Al-Mazrou as Team Administrator, and Ali Al-Omrani as part of the delegation’s medical staff.
Representing Saudi Arabia in Open Water Swimming is athlete Mohammed Al-Olayan under the supervision of coach Ali Al-Saeed. In Triathlon, athletes Thamer Ahmed and Fares Gharawi, along with Unified Partner Mishari Al-Saeed, will compete under the guidance of coach Ahmed Al-Khathami.
The Unified Beach Volleyball team will be led by coach Ayman Al-Mudarrham and assistant coach Ahmed Al-Duraish. The team includes athletes Abdulrahman Al-Juhani, Abdulaziz Salmi, and Fahad Al-Khulouf, alongside Unified Partners Ahmed Al Ghalib, Hussain Al-Sadiq, and Saad Al-Olyani.
Mr. Abdulrahman Buayshah, Head of Delegation, emphasized that Special Olympics Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Regional Beach Games in Tunisia represents an important milestone in the ongoing development pathway of its athletes and their preparation for future international competitions. He noted that this participation forms part of the 10th Special Olympics MENA Regional Games, which provide valuable opportunities for athletes to gain competitive experience and engage with regional sports programs.
Buayshah also expressed his appreciation for the support provided to Special Olympics Saudi Arabia by the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee, highlighting its role in creating sporting opportunities that empower persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and expand their participation in various sporting events.
He added: “We are proud of the progress our athletes have achieved and look forward to delivering a performance that reflects the Kingdom’s ambitions and the efforts invested in athlete development. We firmly believe that such opportunities play a vital role in building sporting experience and enhancing athletes’ readiness for future competitions.”
He concluded by reaffirming that Special Olympics Saudi Arabia continues to build a sustainable sports pathway for its athletes through year-round programs, activities, competitions, and training camps across the Kingdom, providing opportunities to showcase their abilities and represent Saudi Arabia at regional and international events.
This participation comes as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen preparations for the Special Olympics World Summer Games Chile 2027.
