The issue 227 of Al Manal magazine was published recently in October 2008. It is a monthly-specialized magazine issued by SCHS to discuss matters and problems concerning people with special needs in United Arab Emirates and the Arab world. Her Highness Shaikha Jameela Bint Mohammed Al Qassimi, general director of SCHS, is the editor.
The chief editor wrote the op-editorial under the title: "disabled heroes' accomplishments in Beijing made us proud" in which she had assured that when making the comparison between Arab athletes' performance in Beijing 8th to 24th August and the following Paralympics Games 6th to 17th September a big difference is noticeable.
The op-editorial indicated that statistics say Arab countries all together have won 81 colored medals since the beginning of Olympic Games. However, countries such as Kenya or Jamaica have won the same number of medals each.
In a glimpse at this image, the op-editorial say disabled heroes' accomplishments are quit impressive due to the short life of such games in the Arab world. The first Paralympics Games was in 1960. However, Egypt had the first Arab representation in these Games in Toronto, Canada 1976.
The chief editor say there are no accurate statistics about the exact number of medals Arab countries have won in Paralympics, yet the 44 medals won by disabled Arab athletes in Beijing have indicated a high spirit for carrying on in the future.
In spite of its late representation in the Paralympics Games, United Arab Emirates disabled athletes have managed to win 4 medals in Atlanta 1996, 4 in Sydney 2000, and another 4 in Athena 2004. In addition, the athlete Mohammed Khames had won a silver medal in weightlifting.
The op-editorial concluded by emphasizing the importance of the lesson we should learn from making this comparison. Lazy athletes should do more work to improve their performance. More credibility should be given to the Paralympics Games, which is considered a major event many countries try to participate in nowadays. It is not just a means of maintaining high spirit for the disabled.
The cover page was dedicated to cover the honorable participation of Arab countries in Paralympics Games in Beijing, the silver medal of Mohammed Khames, and the great welcoming celebrations held for United Arab Emirates national team at the Airport. They were received by his highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Saqr Al Qasimmi, head of United Arab Emirates Union for Paralympics.
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