The Saudi Special Olympics Federation concluded the National Special Olympics Basketball Competition today, Monday, at the Sports Complex of King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Riyadh. The competition was held from December 21 to 22, 2025, and marked the conclusion of the Federation’s current season.
The competition featured division rounds across two groups. In the first group, Al-Ahsa Club for Persons with Disabilities secured first place, followed by Al-Qassim Club for Persons with Disabilities in second place. Efaa Special Olympics Club came third, while Ta’heel Special Olympics Club placed fourth.
In the second group, Al-Ghadeer Special Olympics Club achieved first place, Riyadh Club for Persons with Disabilities came in second, and Ghazlan Al-Sahra Special Olympics Club finished third.
As part of the closing events, a Unified Experience was held in celebration of World Basketball Day. The experience saw the participation of coaches and referees alongside athletes in a match that embodied the concept of sport as a universal language that brings everyone together and promotes the values of inclusion and sportsmanship.
On the health front, the “Healthy Athletes” program conducted medical screenings, through which more than 150 medical examinations were carried out across several health specialties, including oral and dental health, eye health, and mental health. This initiative reaffirmed that athletes’ health remains a top priority. In addition, a Family Forum was organized in cooperation with “Lammat Al-Ahali” at the Ifadah Center, featuring educational and awareness sessions aimed at strengthening the role of families in supporting their athlete children.
Talal Al-Humaidan, Director of Communications and Partnerships at the Saudi Special Olympics Federation, confirmed that the conclusion of the National Basketball Competition represents the culmination of a rich and successful sports season for Special Olympics Saudi Arabia in 2025. He noted the Federation’s commitment throughout the season to expanding the scope of competitions and enhancing the quality of the sports experience, in line with the Special Olympics mission of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through sport.
He explained that the 2025 sports season witnessed the implementation of 45 sporting events, including national and regional games, national and regional competitions, as well as programs and training courses. These events saw the participation of more than 1,200 male and female athletes across various regions of the Kingdom, within an integrated framework aimed at expanding participation, enhancing sustainability, and improving organizational efficiency.
Al-Humaidan expressed his appreciation for the significant support provided by the participating clubs, the efforts of coaches, referees, and volunteers, and the vital role of families in supporting their children. He emphasized that the success of the season would not have been possible without the integration of the community partnership system, which represents a fundamental pillar in the Federation’s journey.
He concluded by saying: “The Federation looks forward in the 2026 season to building on this year’s achievements by developing the quality of competitions, increasing operational efficiency, and expanding participation opportunities in more cities, in a way that strengthens the presence of sport as an inclusive pathway that supports the empowerment of athletes both on and off the field.”
