Aluminium giant is Diamond Sponsor of the event

United Arab Emirates, 02 February 2016: Emirates Global Aluminium (“EGA”) is the Diamond Sponsor of the Special Needs Challenge 2016, which takes place on Thursday, February 4 at IPIC Arena, Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. Organised by the Abilities Development Centre in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of HH Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, Honorary Chairman of Abilities Development Centre, and in the presence of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa bin Khalid Al Nahyan, the annual event aims to instil a spirit of competition in special needs students from schools around the UAE through sport and entertainment activities.

Now in its ninth consecutive year, the Special Needs Challenge will welcome 1,500 special needs students at this year’s event where activities will include a swimming competition, various sports contests and interactive entertainment. EGA’s sponsorship of the 2016 event marks its first collaboration with the Abilities Development Centre. Commenting on the sponsorship, Khalid Buhumaid (Senior Vice President, Communication & Government Relations) said, “EGA strives to make a positive impact in the communities where we operate. Sponsoring events such as the Special Needs Challenge is part of our on-going corporate social responsibility strategy and is testament to our belief in charity and humanitarian support. We are delighted to support the event and show our solidarity with the students; who represent an important segment of our society.”

The Abilities Development Centre is a private organisation that specialises in training, evaluating and developing the abilities of children with mild to medium mental difficulties and autism. The centre seeks to assimilate these children into society by all means possible and offers specialised teaching, psychological training and social programmes. The centre aims to improve the behaviour and learning abilities of students, so that they can eventually be integrated into regular schools.

EGA’s collaboration with the Abilities Development Centre is part of a long-term commitment from the business to support special needs causes in the UAE. For example, EGA regularly works with the Emirates Autism Centre through events sponsorships and was the exclusive sponsor of a music event organised by the Abu Dhabi Museum and Art Foundation. EGA also sponsors physical therapy for special needs students at Senses Special Needs Centre in Dubai.