Gold rush for Kuwait at the Special Olympics MENA Games

The dressage team.

CAIRO, Sept. 22 (KUNA): Kuwaiti athletes won six medals — three gold, two silver, and one bronze — in weightlifting and equestrian events on Monday during the second phase of the 10th Special Olympics MENA Regional Games 2026 in Cairo.

Deputy Head of Kuwait’s delegation Sadiqa Al-Ansari said Kuwaiti athletes from Altomouh Sports Club for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities delivered strong performances in the equestrian competitions.

Basma Al-Busaili won gold in the dressage event, while Nawaf Al-Qassar also finished first. Mariam Ziab took second place, while Abdullah Al-Ali finished fifth, competing against their Egyptian counterparts.

In weightlifting, Salman Shehab claimed gold, while Shaker Al-Hulaili secured third place. The two athletes also finished third and sixth, respectively, in another event.

Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Egypt Ghanem Al-Ghanem praised the Altomouh Sports Club delegation's participation, describing Kuwait’s athletes’ achievements as a source of pride for the country and its people.

Al-Ghanem made the remarks while receiving the delegation at the Kuwaiti Embassy in Cairo. He commended the club’s efforts to support and rehabilitate people with intellectual disabilities and to give athletes opportunities to compete in regional and international events.

He also praised Egypt for hosting and organizing the games and for its efforts to promote sports for persons with intellectual disabilities.

Al-Ghanem reaffirmed Kuwait’s continued support for programs and initiatives that empower persons with disabilities and enhance their participation in society, in line with the country’s commitment to humanitarian, social, and sporting initiatives.

The regional games feature delegations from Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the UAE, and host Egypt.