UAE hopes to attract 20,000 volunteers for Special Olympics Games

Agencies

October 6, 2018

Abu Dhabi, Oct 6: As Abu Dhabi gets ready to welcome more than 7,000 athletes to compete in 24 sports at the Special Olympics World Games in 2019, the organising committee has invited youth and other members of the community to be part of the humanitarian sporting event.

Abu Dhabi's World Games will be the most unified Games as it will host more than 170 countries, hence, breaking the record of participating countries in the history of the Special Olympics.

Organisers said the World Games will run from March 14 to 21, 2019 and throughout this time thousands of individuals will be needed to help prepare and host many events and competitions during the biggest humanitarian event in the world which uses sports as a platform to unite people with intellectual disabilities with the rest of the community.

The committee hopes to attract 20,000 volunteers and towards that end it organised a special event in Abu Dhabi to register volunteers.

''Moreover, with the Special Olympics, you'll be assuming severe essential roles, and, most importantly you will open your eyes and heart to a more hopeful, inclusive world. The experience is one you will never forget,'' the committee said.

The selected volunteers will undergo a pre-event 16-hour online or face-to face training programme in preferred areas according to their skills so that they can assume essential roles efficiently. The areas of volunteering include: sports, technology, event, medical, delegation assistance liaison, communications, operations, guests service, language service and protocol. Opportunities are also open for people of determination (with intellectual disabilities).

Abu Dhabi has successfully delivered the Special Olympics IX MENA Games 2018, where over 3,000 volunteers of all ages and nationalities gave more than 50,000 hours of their time during the MENA Games and supported more than 1,000 athletes from 31 countries.

"We look forward to having volunteers again as will once again play an integral role in delivering the Games," the committee said

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International Airport in Udupi, Metro to Mangaluru…: Pontiffs present comprehensive Udupi development plan to PM

News Network

November 30,2025

Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district.

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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