Special Olympics Saudi Arabia signed a cooperation agreement with King Saud University Medical City on Sunday, 6 September 2026, during a signing ceremony held at the Medical City’s headquarters in Riyadh. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in health, awareness, training, and research, contributing to the development of health services provided to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Special Olympics Saudi Arabia was represented at the signing ceremony by Director of Partnerships, Mr. Talal bin Mansour Al-Humaidan, while King Saud University Medical City was represented by the Medical Director of the University Dental Hospital, Prof. Sarah Al-Subait.
The agreement seeks to strengthen cooperation between the two parties through the implementation of awareness and training programs for healthcare professionals on best practices for supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It also includes participation in relevant health events and community initiatives, as well as supporting scientific studies and research and facilitating the exchange of expertise in areas of mutual interest.
The agreement will also provide volunteering opportunities for King Saud University Medical City staff to participate in health activities organized by Special Olympics Saudi Arabia. This will help expand the involvement of healthcare professionals in the organization’s programs and further integrate medical expertise with Special Olympics initiatives to support athletes and enhance the quality of services provided to them.
Mr. Talal bin Mansour Al-Humaidan, Director of Partnerships at Special Olympics Saudi Arabia, emphasized that the agreement represents an important step toward strengthening cooperation with healthcare and academic institutions and leveraging specialized expertise to enhance the quality of services provided to athletes. He noted that developing the capabilities of healthcare professionals and increasing awareness of the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are key pillars in building a more inclusive healthcare environment.
The agreement comes as part of Special Olympics Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to build meaningful partnerships with healthcare and academic institutions and to develop initiatives and programs that contribute to improving the quality of life of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and strengthening their participation in society. These efforts support the organization’s vision of building a more inclusive society through sport, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
