Special Olympics team routed Friendship Society for the Blind 21-0 in their opening game of the sixth Khalid bin Hamad Futsal League in Group 1, held at Khalifa Sports City on Monday.
Ali Abbas contributed six goals for the winners to take home the player of the match award.
In another match, Akbar Salman’s hat-trick inspired Deaf Committee team to defeat Challenging Disability team 6-3. He was named the man of the match.
In Group 2, Motor Disability team defeated Al Muhafizeen 5-1. Ali Hijres of Motor Disability team was named the man of the match thanks to his brilliant efforts.
In the last match of the day, Bahraini Deaf Association earned a deserved 6-1 victory over Cerebral Palsy. Hussain Isa scored three goals for the victors and bagged the man of the match award.
The league, being held under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy chairman, Bahrain Athletics Association president and Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation honorary president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has continued to receive celebrity guests, who praised Shaikh Khalid’s initiatives.
Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation president Shaikh Mohammed bin Daij Al Khalifa praised the pioneering initiatives of Shaikh Khalid saying: “We believe that Shaikh Khalid is taking effective steps to promote sports for the disabled. He is always keen to involve the disabled in all his initiatives, giving them the opportunity to advance their talents.”
Association for Parents of Disabled president Dr Abdulrahman Al Sayed said: “On behalf of all the parents of the disabled, we wish to extend our gratitude and appreciation to Shaikh Khalid for his dedication to initiatives that include them in various sports and cultural events. This has contributed to a notable development in their technical, sports and social skills, making them more interactive with society, which has always been our objective.”
The league, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in partnership with Shaikh Khalid’s Media Office, runs until August 9. It is part of Shaikh Khalid’s initiatives in support of the youth in sports and humanitarian fields. The league is held this year with the wide participation of youth centres, national clubs, young women, disabled individuals, ministries and communities.