The event -- in which youngsters will compete in athletics, swimming, football, basketball and bike riding -- has been organized by Al-Faisalia Charity Association, the Jeddah Autism Center, the Mother of Prince Faisal Al-Fahad Center for Autism in Riyadh and Chemou’a Al-Amal Center for Autism in the Eastern Province.

It has been organized in cooperation with the General Presidency for Youth Welfare, the Saudi Sport Union for People with Disabilities and the Organizing Committee for Sport Events for People with Disabilities in GCC countries.

Twenty-two youngsters have been selected out of 80 to represent the Kingdom, nine from the UAE, seven from Kuwait, seven from Qatar, six from Bahrain and four from Oman.

In a press conference held at Al-Faisalia Charity Association, Princess Fahdah bint Saud called on the public to attend the event and cheer contestants. She also said attendance is not restricted to people with disabilities and their families.

The event will be inaugurated by Prince Sultan bin Fahad, former president of the General Presidency of Youth, at the Green Sports Hall in Jeddah. It has been organized to highlight the talent of children with disabilities in GCC countries, and increase awareness among the public about issues facing such children.

According to the 2010 census released by the Department of Statistics and Information, there are 11,225 people with autism in the Kingdom and only 680 of them have gone though training and rehabilitation programs.

The Gulf Union for Autism was established in 2002 in Kuwait and held its first sports championship in the UAE in 2006 followed by a similar one in 2007 in Riyadh and one in 2008 in Qatar.