Regional 3rd special Olympics wind up in Rabat

The Third Middle-East and North-Africa "Special Olympics" of the mentally-handicapped, held here under royal patronage, wound up Saturday at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Sports Complex.

Deputy-chairwoman of the Moroccan "Special Olympics" Fatima Hassar hailed participation of the Palestinian delegation and voiced solidarity with the Palestinian people fighting for their legitimate rights.

Mrs Hassar also argued that results of the third edition of the games should elicit wider participation if the Arab rank is to be upgraded at international levels.

On Behalf of participants, head of the Bahrain delegation Daayej Ben Khalifa thanked the kingdom and urged Arab countries to promote the integration of the disabled through sports competitions such as the "Special Olympics."

The closing ceremony wound up handing over to Lebanon, which will be hosting the 4th games in 2002, the flag of the Middle-East and North-Africa "Special Olympics."