Lebanon’s First & Second Ladies Attend Sports Day in Sidon

Wafaa Solaiman to Athletes: “You Inspire us Strength & Willpower at Times of Weakness & Calamites”   Under patronage of the Lebanon’s First Lady, Mrs. Wafaa Solaiman, and in collaboration between SO Lebanon and Sidon Orphans Welfare Society, a Special Olympics Sports Day was held at the Lebanese city of Sidon.   Lebanon’s Second Lady, Mrs. Hoda Al-Siniora, Lebanon’s Minister of Education Bahiya Al-Hariri, Lebanese Parliament members Osama Sa’ad and Michal Moussa were among the attendees. A kick –off in the presence of Lebanon’s First Lady, Mrs. Wafaa Solaiman.   SOMENA’s Sports and Competitions Director, Mohammad Nasser also attended the event along with member of SOMENA Advisory Committee, Mohammad Abdouni as representatives of the region.   Following the event, Lebanon’s First Lady pointed out the Special Olympics as one of the most influential organizations - humane and sports wise - in the present time. According to her Excellency, the movement’s generous contribution to strengthening the athletes’ character helps them involve positively in their communities. Sports wise, as she further said, it stimulates their spirits in such a manner that encourages them take the initiative and acquire the needed confidence to display their distinction despite their challenges.   At the conclusion of the event, Mrs. Solaiman commended the spirit of competition she witnessed during the day. She said she was fascinated to see how such spirit contributed to originating the values of consolidation among the participants and mainstreaming the team spirit we all need to best deal with day-to-day challenges.   The Sports Day began with Lebanon’s national anthem, followed by the parade of contesters. President of Sidon Orphans Welfare Society, Dr. Said El-Makkaoui, then delivered a speech in which he said his society has been laying extensive concern on individuals with special needs for over half a century. “Two weeks ago, our special needy children partook in the UNESCO festival where they performed musical shows and a play, both of which drew the admiration of the attendees,” El-Makkaoui said. “Here they are, today, competing with their fellow athletes from other societies in sports competition,” he continued, emphasizing his society’s ongoing activities. Lebanon’s First Lady, Mrs. Wafaa Solaiman, Lebanon’s Second Lady, Mrs. Hoda Al-Siniora, Lebanon’s Minister of Education Bahiya Al-Hariri, Lebanese Parliament members Osama Sa’ad and Michal Moussa greeting the athletes .   El-Makkaoui also stated that the annual painting fare will be held by the end of the month, serving as a good platform for the special needy children to display their artistic creativity.   Attributing all such achievements to a healthy environment appropriate for individuals with special needs to achieve themselves and boost their abilities, El-Makkaoui said, “The advancement of communities has been, and will always be dependant on their abilities to accommodate the gifts and skills of their individuals and best utilize them to enhance their productive capabilities.”   SO Lebanon’s National Director Hala Nasser El-Husseini then delivered a speech in which she stated that “The Special Olympics managed to recruit three million athletes competing at the global, regional and national levels.”   President of Sidon Orphans Welfare Society, Dr. Said El-Makkaoui honoring Mrs. Wafaa Solaiman. Highlighting the Sixth Regional Games, which was the most recent, and held in Abu Dhabi, Ms. El Husseini said the Special Olympics’ main tools to furnish sports competition opportunities for athletes are represented in events such as the World, Regional and National Games.   Dana Abu Zahr, Head of the Special Needs department in Sidon Orphans Welfare Society, took her turn to deliver a speech displaying the society’s experience in bearing the responsibility of helping individuals with special needs overcome their weaknesses.   Sports and Medical Screening   The Sports Day in Sidon was enhanced with artistic and folkloric dance segments, alongside the sports competitions which were held for SO athletes and other participating societies. Mrs. Solaiman was introduced to the Sidon Orphans Welfare Society’s centers in a tour that preceded the launch of the competitions in football, basketball, table tennis, shot put, running and high jump.   SOMENA’s Sports and Competitions Director, Mohammad Nasser in a group photo with the athletes . As a side event, a medical screening was conducted on all athletes partaking in the Sports Day, which was concluded by honoring Mrs. Soliaman with the Sidon Orphans Welfare Society’s Shield. Lebanon’s First Lady, in recognition of her memorial time at the Sports Day, wrote the following note in the society’s book of honor:   “What will always remain engraved in our hearts is the glow of such people who inspire us strength at the times of weakness and willpower at the times of calamities. From the distinction and uniqueness God bestowed upon each and every one of them, we shall derive our joy and perseverance. With them, side by side and hand in hand, we shall walk the march of a nation that outdoes itself with unity and consolidation.”