PH Team Wins Medals at 2019 Special Olympics World Games in the UAE

Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Hjayceelyn M. Quintana (rightmost) presented medals to winners of the bocce competition at a Special Olympics World Games awarding ceremony held on 18 March 2019 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. Sheila Galvez (center) won the Philippines a gold medal in the bocce competition (Singles female division). (Abu Dhabi PE photo)

ABU DHABI 22 March 2019 –  Filipino special athletes shine in their respective disciplines as they compete for honor and glory at the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi. 

Sheila Galvez bested Greece on 18 March 2019 to win a gold medal in the bocce singles female competition in Abu Dhabi, while Janice Trinidad won a gold medal in Athletics 100-meter run in Dubai. Aivie Dungca also won gold medal in gymnastics all around.

So far, silver medals were won by Ryan Jay Hasim (bocce), Alden Jimenez and James del Rosario (athletics 200-meter run), Patricia Ildesa (bowling), and Lemuel Batiloy (badminton).  Bronze medals were won by Marlon Tindoc (powerlifting), Perlita Teves (athletics 200-meter run), and Mizzel Dawa (bowling).

The tally of medals was announced at a press conference on 18 March 2019, organized by the Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Hjayceelyn Quintana at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center.  Special Olympics World Games Chief Executive Officer Peter Wheeler congratulated the Philippine team during the press conference.

The World Games is participated in by over 190 countries and 7,500 athletes. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the UAE, led the opening of the games in a stunning and colorful opening ceremony on 14 March 2019 at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.

The Philippine team is composed of 39 athletes in the following competitions: aquatics, athletics, badminton, bocce, bowling, 7-a-side traditional football, futsal, rhythmic gymnastics, and powerlifting. END

Press conference with the Philippine delegation organized by the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi in cooperation with Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi and the Bayanihan Council on 18 March 2019 at ADNEC.  Left to right:  Bayanihan Council Chairman Engineer Elmer Casao, National Board President of Special Olympics (SO) Philippines and Delegation Head Delia Ortega, SO Philippines National Executive Director Kaye Chastine Samson, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 CEO Peter Wheeler, and SO Philippines Delegation and National Sports Director Assistant Head Darwin Engracia. Also present was International Affairs of Special Olympics Regina Reyes. (Abu Dhabi PE photo)

Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Hjayceelyn M. Quintana is joined by the Philippine delegation to the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi, Second Secretary and Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, Cultural Officer Delza Lourdes Bayabao, and Bayanihan Executive Board chaired by Engr. Elmer Casao on 18 March 2019 at ADNEC. ). (Abu Dhabi PE photo)

For more information, visit www.abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph or www.facebook.com/PHinUAE/.