KARACHI: The colourful ceremony opening of the 16th Special Olympic World Games was held in Berlin’s Olympia Stadium on Saturday, according to a communique issued on Sunday.

As players from countries involved in the games participated in the athlete parade, when Pakistani team arrived at the stadium, thousands of fans greeted the players with warm applause.

The stadium echoed with slogans of Pakistan Zindabad, as athlete Sana among the torch-bearers represented Pakistan. She walked around the ground with the torch. She later called it a great honour for Pakistan and herself.

The Pakistani athletes, clad in cultural dresses, were centre of attention at the ceremony.

The event was also attended by Special Olympic Pakistan Ambassador Sarwat Gilani and Adviser Yasmin Haider.

German President Frank Walters, Special Olympics President Timothy Shriver and the head of Pakistani delegation, Ronak Lakhani were present at the opening ceremony.

To encourage the athletes, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a tweet on Sunday wrote: “My best wishes to our differently-abled athletes who are in Germany to take part in Special Olympics World Games 2023. In 87-member delegation consisting of both male & female sportspeople, Pakistan has a strong representation in the global event.”

“Now is the time to reap the fruit of hard work they put in while preparing for 11 games. I am confident that our special and privileged athletes will use the mega opportunity to bring laurels to the motherland through their talent and determination. They have the prayers of the whole nation with them.”

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2023