Qatar Foundation’s Ability Friendly Program, in partnership with the Qatar Paralympic Committee, recently held its first swimming competition for individuals with disabilities. The event featured 62 swimmers from the Ability Friendly Program, showcasing their talents in a supportive and competitive environment. The competition highlighted QF’s commitment to inclusivity and personal growth, with a focus on enhancing athletes’ technical abilities and social development.
The Ability Friendly Program aims to promote accessibility in sports through competitive opportunities, tournaments, and coach education programs. In addition to swimming, AFP also provides football programs and specialised camps, with plans to expand into basketball, golf, equine therapy, and sensory crafts programs. The program is gearing up to host a nationwide competition for Qatar National Sport Day 2025, inviting clubs across the country to register their swimmers.
As the program continues to grow, there is a strong dedication to creating more opportunities for individuals with disabilities to excel in sports, both competitively and recreationally. AFP is focused on fostering inclusion and personal growth, with a commitment to providing ongoing support for participants to excel in their chosen sports. The organization’s goal is to prepare specialized coaches to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in various disciplines, ensuring that all participants have the resources and support they need to succeed.
Through its collaboration with the Qatar Paralympic Committee and other partners, AFP is working to introduce new initiatives and activities to enhance the sports experience for individuals with disabilities. The program is focused on expanding its offerings and providing a wide range of opportunities for participants to engage in sports and recreational activities. By hosting inclusive events like the swimming competition, AFP is paving the way for individuals with disabilities to showcase their skills and talents in a supportive and competitive environment.
The success of the inaugural swimming competition is just the beginning for the Ability Friendly Program, as they continue to pursue their mission of advancing the accessibility movement in sports. With a focus on inclusivity, personal growth, and social development, AFP is committed to providing more opportunities for individuals with disabilities to thrive in sports. As the program expands and introduces new initiatives, there will be even more chances for participants to excel and showcase their abilities in a variety of sports and recreational activities.