Seventy-Two Special Olympics UAE Athletes Shine in First-Ever Regional Topgolf Invitational Tournament
ABU DHABI, 26th July, 2025 – Seventy-two Special Olympics UAE athletes have proudly represented the nation in the inaugural Special Olympics Topgolf Invitational Tournament for People of Determination in the region. This pioneering one-day virtual competition was held simultaneously at Topgolf venues in each participating country. The event also saw spirited participation from Special Olympics athletes from the US and UK.
This event marks a significant milestone for inclusive sports in the UAE, particularly for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through the use of innovative technology and purpose-designed golf environments, the tournament aimed to broaden participation and offer more accessible sporting experiences.
Athletes’ preparation included an eight-week national training programme launched in May. This initiative was driven by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Special Olympics UAE and Topgolf Dubai. Candidates from all over the country engaged in structured training and national qualifiers, resulting in the selection of 72 individuals to represent the UAE on the international stage.
Selection criteria were stringent, focusing on time-based performance metrics, age eligibility, and consistent attendance; every athlete selected had to complete at least 80% of the training sessions.
Leveraging Topgolf’s advanced technology, the tournament overcame the challenges of large-scale in-person gatherings by enabling parallel play across multiple floors. More than 36 athletes could compete simultaneously per floor, fostering greater inclusion and a dynamic tournament experience.
All athletes were registered electronically and assessed according to competition-specific benchmarks. For many, this was their first Topgolf competition experience, underscoring the UAE’s notable presence at the event.
“This tournament represents a new chapter in international empowerment for our athletes, made possible by the continued support of our wise leadership. The UAE remains committed to promoting the full inclusion of People of Determination, especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, through meaningful opportunities in sport and beyond,” – Talal Al Hashemi
“Our athletes made us proud and carried the UAE flag with pride. The tournament strengthened their confidence and opened the door to further opportunities for growth and sports excellence.” – Talal Al Hashemi
“We are proud to have hosted this first-of-its-kind virtual event in partnership with Special Olympics International. The dedication and progress shown by the athletes over the past eight weeks was truly inspiring. We believe this initiative reinforces the inclusive potential of golf and our shared commitment to making the sport accessible to all.” – Mike Walton
The tournament was orchestrated in close coordination with a global working group that included Special Olympics International, Special Olympics Texas, and Topgolf. Together, they established a comprehensive virtual competition framework and technical standards to guarantee fair and equitable play worldwide.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
