Manama : In line with the directives of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), Chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA) and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC), the General Sports Authority, in partnership with Health Mates Society, the Bahrain Paralympic Committee and Special Olympics Bahrain, launched a national initiative to enhance the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities under the “Mujtama’ Thahabi” (Golden Community) initiative.
Al Jenan Medical Centre is sponsoring the initiative and providing support for participants’ medical examinations.
The organisers announced the initiative during a press conference at the Media Hall of Bahrain National Stadium, attended by Dr. Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar, Chief Executive Officer of the GSA; Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Vice President of the Bahrain Paralympic Committee; Dr. Areej Al Saad, Clinical Dietitian and Vice President of Health Mates Society; and Jassim Al Majed, Health Promotion Specialist and Board Member of Health Mates Society, alongside parents and other stakeholders.
The initiative forms part of the Golden Community programmes, which aim to expand the impact of sport and strengthen community participation by reaching all members of society and providing programmes tailored to their health and social needs.
Dr. Askar conveyed the greetings of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa to those present. He highlighted His Highness’s commitment to ensuring that the Golden Community initiative benefits society as a whole and strengthens the role of sport in improving quality of life and establishing physical activity as a way of life and part of community culture.
The GSA Chief Executive Officer said the national initiative reflected this approach by recognising people with intellectual disabilities as an integral part of society and providing health, sports and awareness programmes that meet their needs and support their families and caregivers.
Dr. Askar expressed appreciation for the cooperation with Health Mates Society, the Bahrain Paralympic Committee and Special Olympics Bahrain, commending Al Jenan Medical Centre for sponsoring the medical examinations. He noted that the combined efforts of the partners would enhance the initiative’s impact and support the objectives of Golden Community.
Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Ahmed thanked HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for His Highness’ support for and interest in Golden Community programmes, which serve a broad range of community groups.
Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Ahmed emphasised the importance of cooperation between the Bahrain Paralympic Committee, Special Olympics Bahrain and other partners in delivering programmes that have a sustainable impact on people with intellectual disabilities.
Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Ahmed said the initiative addressed several areas beyond physical and mental preparation, including health, behavioural and daily living aspects, helping participants in their everyday lives while supporting their families and caregivers. He expressed hope that the partnership would achieve a lasting positive impact on beneficiaries.
For her part, Dr. Al Saad presented an overview of the initiative’s components and stages, explaining that it combines medical examinations, health assessments, awareness programmes and empowerment activities.
She emphasised the importance of involving families and caregivers throughout the programme and providing accessible educational materials to help them support participants and sustain the initiative’s benefits.
For his part, Al Majed highlighted the importance of community partnerships in implementing the initiative. He thanked HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for the support and commended the efforts of the GSA, Health Mates Society, Bahrain Paralympic Committee and Special Olympics Bahrain in developing programmes that serve people with intellectual disabilities and their families while supporting the community objectives of Golden Community.
The initiative targets people with intellectual disabilities, their families and caregivers, aiming to improve their physical, psychological and social well-being through a sustainable programme of early intervention and health empowerment using adapted physical activity.
The medical screening and assessment programme includes assessments of growth and weight, dental, hearing and vision examinations, as well as specialised swallowing assessments, vitamin and iron tests, and evaluations of mental health, behaviour and social adaptation.
Al Jenan Medical Centre will begin conducting medical examinations for participants on October 22.
The awareness and empowerment programme includes educating families on managing selective eating and appetite, providing simplified educational materials such as visual meal guides and videos, alongside booklets, workshops and sessions designed to strengthen the involvement of families and caregivers.
The organisers will implement the initiative in five stages: establishing a multidisciplinary team; conducting assessments and screening under a standardised protocol; designing individual health, physical activity and behavioural programmes according to each participant’s needs; empowering families through workshops and sessions; and monitoring outcomes and measuring performance indicators after three months.
The initiative seeks to help prevent obesity and related health complications, improve physical fitness and motor skills, and strengthen participants’ independence in daily life.
It also aims to reinforce the Kingdom’s position in inclusive sport and support for people with disabilities, in line with the Golden Community initiative’s objectives of enhancing community partnerships and promoting sport as a way of life and a means of improving quality of life across the wider community.
