Abu Dhabi Media has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, to partake in sponsoring one of the world's largest humanitarian sports events.

H.E. Mohamad Abdullah Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Special Olympics and H.E. Dr. Ali bin Tamim, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Media, signed the MoU at the Abu Dhabi Media stand at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2018. The signing was attended by Mr. Khalfan Al Mazroui, Director General of the Special Olympics, Abu Dhabi executive officials and the LOC.

Following the signing, H.E. Dr. Ali bin Tamim said: "Supporting and sponsoring such an event strengthens the status of People with Determination and furthers the vision of our wise leadership as well as their continuous guidance. The Olympics are also a strategic opportunity to promote Abu Dhabi globally and to highlight its potential to host global events as an international destination for sports.”

Dr. bin Tamim noted that the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 is one of the most important sporting events in the world and is an opportunity to highlight the skills, abilities and talents of People of Determination. “This is exactly what people everywhere should be witness to—the human potential, and the capabilities within us all,” he said.

"We will provide the best technical broadcast coverage available for a world-class sporting event of this magnitude. We will also provide a program cycle that will strongly boost the spirits of People of Determination in the UAE and wider Arab region.”

Under the agreement, Abu Dhabi Sports will receive exclusive TV rights for the 2019 event and its various side events that will enhance Abu Dhabi as a global venue for the largest and most important sporting events.

In addition, Abu Dhabi Media will provide special advertising space for the event through its platforms for large-scale promotion as well as to raise the public’s interest in the Olympic games.

Mr. Khalfan Al Mazroui said: "We are delighted with the momentum of the preparations to launch the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. Abu Dhabi Media, with its vast media expertise, is the best partner to present the event in line with the esteemed reputation of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”

In March 2019, the Special Olympics will be held for the first time in the MENA region under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The event is a rare opportunity to host nearly 7,000 male and female athletes and enthusiasts representing more than 170 countries around the world, and to celebrate solidarity and brotherhood in the UAE capital.

The event is the most conclusive and integrated event in the history of the Special Olympics and the largest independent event hosted by the UAE to date, and will feature 24 Olympic sports events in 10 locations across Abu Dhabi.

The MoU comes as a successor to Abu Dhabi Media’s 2018 coverage of the Special Olympics Regional Games, where it provided live broadcasts of the 12-day Olympic sporting events, as well as analytical programs and follow-up news on each Olympic site.