If I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt: Special Olympics open

By Moses Lubega Al-Sayyed

The special Olympics has no Hussein Bolt, no Michael Phelps and on a lesser pedestal Steven Kiprotich, athletes whose star power attracts every interest; sponsors, broadcasters, households to mention but a few. The power of the games that open this Thursday evening (5:00PM UAE, 4:00PM EAT ) is the face of humanity profiled on the over 200 million people in the world living with intellectual disability who all aspire a fair chance: "Let me win, if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

It is that motto the games progressive thinkers envisioned for arguably the most inclusive march in the world. Uganda will march along at Zayed Sports City Stadium. If you doubt the games inclusiveness; expect no display of a Ugandan Flag or any other-the games listen to no; nationality, global star, or stake, but the person in the individual. ‘We are all one,’ said Genevieve Bamwidhukire, head of delegation Special Olympics Uganda. It is such ‘colorful marching orders’ that make these games unlike the rest.

‘Marching orders’

We piece together, uganda’s day on the opening ceremony of the games in Abu Dhabi

5:00pm UAE Time, 4:00pm EAT time: The Ugandan contingent will depart their four star Mafraq Hotel In Abu Dhabi to the city stadium.

Uganda will march out in order of host city status.

At the Zayed sports venue, unlike the customary opening ceremony march usually in harmony with participating country’s alphabet letter placing, the sequence of contingents will this time follow a Host Town sequence. Uganda is enshrined to Umm al-Quwain one of the United Arab Emirates that lies on the Arabian Gulf. The city’s ruler Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla hosted the Ugandan contingent on her second day in UAE.

Singular Fashion statement

Uganda will customize the popular kikoy outlook. Women; a bespoke dress; bodice top down stripes in black and brown, and lower garment; uninterrupted black hanging from the waistline down.

Men: A kikoyi shirt in black and brown, and black pants.

A uniform pair of sandals in animalia composition for both; men and women

The fashion symbol pronounces a special Olympics outlook for uganda after previous statements in tracksuits.

‘Leader of choir’

Ahead of the Ugandan contingent, will be the state minister for sports Charles Bakkabulindi, and Kevin Martinez, Vice President Corporate Citizenship Entertainment and Sports Programming Network(ESPN).

At the tail end of the sequence, will be Genevieve Bamwidhukire, Head of Delegation Special Olympics Uganda. Her PLACE AT THE FOOT of the sequence is no least but a case of having the ‘last laugh’ from the contingent head. ‘We want to walk in there and say; we belong at this stage, we need no pity as ID’s (Intellectually disable group) but confident in our ability” said Bamwidhukire-referred to as-‘ the strongest woman in the room’ by the officials.

Riding the wave

Uganda has seldom put a foot wrong since arriving here on the morning of Friday ( 8th march 2019). Abu Dhabi and Dubai still have Uganda’s imprints from visits or the reverse from locals, authorities. Etc. On the field, is where the ‘premature gains’ have bear fruits enough to shade the desert. The four games registered in the division games( determinants/preliminaries) have largely been a sweep. The unified( combined ID athletes and ‘normal’) volleyball team has walked past the four opponents with gusto to even force a rare let out of arrogance from the team’s best player Vincent Odeke to remark; ‘Bring on the United states of America (USA) team.

The team captain Nelson Ochaya equal in praise has relished moments; ‘We have been intimidating opponents in the warm up with energetic rallies, and it has worked their minds’ Will the terror! Strike again? going forward.

Lasting the course

Uganda has been pooled along with hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, Serbia, and Azerbaijan in their corner first on 15th march at 10:00pm at ADNEC Sports Complex. Four hours later, afternoon match against Indonesia at same venue now familiar with the boys victories. Will the outcome be as familiar going forward?

Will lightning strike twice? rivals wondered!. Uganda will take any result. The nation is here to make a case, and one for all. Uganda’s collective ambition sacrifices every individual gain like the case is for the 5million special Olympians in the world who will watch closely as the over 7500 here from 200 countries live an opportunity for the special community of the ‘differently intelligent’