Photo by Iñaki Esnaola
After an electric four days and 40 matches played, the inaugural Special Olympics Unified Volleyball World Cup crowns its first-ever champions: Special Olympics United Arab Emirates (Women’s) and Special Olympics Slovakia (Men’s/Mixed).
The Unified Volleyball World Cup took place in Katowice, Poland from 5 – 8 October with 16 teams from around the world competing in 5 games. Each team was made up of 6 volleyball players, 6 Unified partners (players without intellectual disability), three coaches, and one volleyball ambassador.
The women’s division included Special Olympics Bharat (India), Special Olympics Italy, Special Olympics Kenya, Special Olympics Mongolia, Special Olympic Namibia, Special Olympics Serbia, Special Olympics United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Special Olympics Ukraine.
The men’s division included Special Olympics Austria, Special Olympics Finland, Special Olympics Iraq, Special Olympics Poland, Special Olympics Saudi Arabia, Special Olympics Serbia, Special Olympics Slovakia, and Special Olympics United States of America.
For the women’s final, Special Olympics UAE took on Special Olympics Ukraine beating them in just 2 sets to be named the tournament victor.
UAE dominated the game against Ukraine never letting them get the lead in the first set, finishing 25-13. Ukraine led the second set, even being up 7-1 at one point. Special Olympics UAE tacked on handful of consecutive points to even out the score and the two sides were 17-17 when UAE started to slip ahead.
Special Olympics UAE’s #9 Maitha Alfalasi held her own on the court, transitioning seamlessly from defense to offensive aiding in her team’s break away late in the second set. The game concluded 25-20 with Special Olympics UAE earning the gold medal.
Photo by Christel Saneh/Christel Saneh for Special Olymp
Special Olympics Saudi Arabia and Special Olympics Slovakia duked it out in the men’s final with Slovakia beating Saudi Arabia to 25 points in set 2 for the win.
Special Olympics Slovakia’s front row was a perfect trio with the three players, #5 Simon Jakus, #1 Rastislav Kotlar, and #7 Adam Coma. The string of players worked in unison, receiving, passing, and spiking the ball back over the net as a cohesive unit. Slovakia’s team looked united and ready for action every step of the Cup and as a result, their coach was presented with the Best Coach Award (Men’s) at the Closing Ceremony.
Along with the Best Coach Award, teams had the opportunity to earn the Fair Play Award and the Unified Team Award.
Fair Play Team Award: awarded to the team who exemplified the best gameplay based on FIVB guidelines and Special Olympics Sport philosophy.
- Women’s Team: Special Olympics Kenya
- Men’s/Mixed: Special Olympics USA
Unified Team Award: awarded to the team or Unified Pair that best exemplifies the principles of meaningful involvement and inclusion on and off the field of play.
- Women’s Team: Special Olympics United Arab Emirates
- Men’s/Mixed: Special Olympics Finland
Best Coach Award: awarded to the coach based on coach excellence and sport values presented.
- Women’s Team: Special Olympics Italy
- Men’s/Mixed: Special Olympics Slovakia
Final Results (Women’s)
- Special Olympics United Arab Emirates
- Special Olympics Ukraine
- Special Olympics Kenya
- Special Olympics Bharat
- Special Olympics Namibia
- Special Olympics Italy
- Special Olympics Serbia
- Special Olympics Mongolia
Final Results (Men’s/Mixed)
- Special Olympics Slovakia
- Special Olympics Saudi Arabia
- Special Olympics Poland
- Special Olympics Iraq
- Special Olympics Serbia
- Special Olympics Finland
- Special Olympics Austria
- Special Olympics United States of America
Special Olympics hosts single-sport events like the Unified Volleyball World Cup to serve as a critical catalyst for sport development. These events help to further dispel stereotypes and implied limitations of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities both on and off the court. They support and growth of the sport with the help of the international federation and national federation. They also increase the depth and understanding of a sport within the international community while engaging new demographics to learn, try, and enjoy sport through the help of Special Olympics athletes.
