March 08, 2019: Etihad Airways arranged a heartfelt celebration for Special Olympics Pakistan (SOP) Team as they flew from Pakistan for Abu Dhabi to take part in the Special Olympics World Games 2019. Actress Sarwat Gilani, brand ambassador SOP joined to wish the athletes, ‘Good luck’ as team of 92 athletes, 27 coaches and 3 officials departed from Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore with Etihad Airways. The team competed in 10 events at the World Games.
Amer Khan, Etihad Airways Vice President Central Region said, “Etihad Airways has been supporting SOP for nine years now; participating in their local events and fundraisers. It gives us great pleasure that this time Special Olympics World Games is taking place in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, 2019 is also special for us because November marks 15 years of Etihad Airways flying to Karachi.”
From 14th to 21st March, over 7,500 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 192 countries participated in the games at world-class venues throughout Abu Dhabi.
Etihad has been supporting the charity organization by providing cash and prizes, including airline tickets for the past nine years. Official airline partner of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, Etihad Airways also launched an exclusive 10% discount for family and friends of athletes, and all guests who travelled to Abu Dhabi to attend the games.