Kuwait secures top three spots in equestrian at Special Olympics 'Cairo 2026'

This statement was made by Sadiqa Al-Ansari, deputy head of the Kuwaiti delegation participating in the 10th Special Olympics Regional Games for the Middle East and North Africa (Cairo 2026), in an interview with the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

Al-Ansari added that athlete Nawaf Al-Qassar secured first place, while athlete Mariam Diab finished second, and athlete Abdullah Al-Ali placed third, amid competition from Egyptian athletes.

She clarified that athlete Basma Al-Basili competed in the show jumping events today and received a participation medal after her horse failed to complete three courses. She expressed hope for achieving more positive results in the remaining events of the tournament.

She noted that Monday’s competitions will include the continuation of weightlifting events and the announcement of their results, as well as equestrian events in dressage for Class C and English riding for Class B, in which Basma Al-Basili is participating.

Al-Ansari expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Government of the State of Kuwait, the Kuwaiti Embassy in Egypt, the Public Authority for Sports, parents, and sponsors of sports programs, commending the efforts of all those who contributed to supporting the athletes and their participation in the tournament.

The 10th Special Olympics Regional Games for the Middle East and North Africa (Cairo 2026) kicked off yesterday, Saturday, at the Hassan Mostafa Hall in the Sixth of October City, with delegations from several countries in the region taking part.

The opening ceremony was attended by Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Jawhar Nabih, Minister of Social Solidarity Dr. Maya Morsi, and the National Director of Special Olympics Egypt, Basem Al-Thahmi, along with a number of officials, specialists, and stakeholders interested in Special Olympics programs in Egypt.

Al-Ansari also expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Kuwaiti Embassy in the Arab Republic of Egypt, whose delegation, led by Deputy Ambassador Counselor Nawaf Al-Rajab, attended the opening ceremony to support and back the Kuwaiti delegation participating in the tournament’s events. She simultaneously commended the efforts of media outlets, including the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), in covering the tournament’s competitions.

The tournament features sports competitions in various disciplines, with athletes from countries in the Middle East and North Africa region participating under the slogan “Performance Sports.” Delegations from Arab countries—Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt—are taking part, alongside participants in the Regional Youth Conference.