08.08.2008
Doha 2016 Chairman to host Forum on Sport and Ability
Global leaders from all around the world gather in Doha this week to attend the Third Annual International Forum on Sport and Ability to be held at the Shafallah Centre for Children with Special Needs.
The success of the 2006 and 2007 Shafallah International Forums has helped establish the Centre as a world-class facility and furthered Qatar’s reputation as a global advocate for the rights of children with special needs. The Third Annual International Forum will feature keynote addresses by global leaders, roundtable discussions, symposia, presentations, and exhibits.
Keynote speakers include Sir Phillip Craven, the President of the International Paralympic Committee, and Cherie Blair, the former First Lady of Britain and a leading barrister in the field of discrimination and human rights.
Hassan Ali Bin Ali, who is both the Chairman of the Shafallah Centre and the Chairman of Doha 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Bid Committee, said: “This Forum will include discussions and demonstrations of how sport, recreation, and cultural activities promote global unity, social inclusion, acceptance, skill acquisition, and friendships. It will also address how sport and the promotion of ability can be expanded to reach all members of the Qatari society.”
“The vision of the Doha 2016 Bid is focused on our shared future – the world’s youth – particularly those disadvantaged either economically or through disability. It will engage and inspire them so that Arab youth better understand the wider world and the youth of the rest of the world gain a true picture of Arab culture and hospitality. The Forum provides an important arena for discussing sport and ability,” said the Bid Chairman.
Mr Hassan added: “Here at the Shafallah Centre we are building the world’s most advanced Paralympic stadium, which will serve disabled sportsmen and women for generations to come. In our Bid, we will do things that have never before been done by an Olympic Host City, offering opportunities for the youth and underprivileged of the world to change their lives forever.”
The Shafallah Centre for Children with Special Needs is a centre of excellence that provides comprehensive services to individuals with developmental and learning challenges, their families, and the local community. Shafallah was established at the behest of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Bin Abdullah Al-Missned, to provide comprehensive services to children with special needs.
The centre is a non-profit, private facility providing diagnosis, evaluation, training, and development services for children with all forms of disabilities aged 0 to 21.