Saudi Arabia | A professor with a disability concludes a 30-day trip on a manual bicycle through 8 cities in Saudi Arabia

2024-01-23 2024-01-23T09:53:33Z

Weather of Arabia - Professor Matteo Barsani, Professor of Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), completed his inspiring journey entitled “Athar: From East to West,” which lasted for 30 days , extending from the east of the Kingdom to its west, and included ten cities. And he relied on the use of a manual bicycle.

Barsani covered a long route that included Dammam, Riyadh, Al-Qassim (Buraidah), Hail, Al-Ula, Red Sea International Company, Medina, Makkah Al-Mukarramah, and Jeddah. He concluded his journey at KAUST, where he covered a distance of more than 3,000 kilometers , with a daily average of 150 kilometers.

It is noteworthy that Professor Matteo Barsani suffered an accident six years ago that caused him injuries that led to him losing movement and sensation in the lower part of his body. After years of successful treatment and rehabilitation, Barsani decided to carry out the first exploratory trip by manual bicycle across the Kingdom to promote sports and physical activities and raise awareness about people with disabilities. Disability, as the motivational words “We Dream and Achieve” launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman encouraged him to challenge himself in this way.

This great mission is a personal achievement for Bersani and provides inspiration to many. It is worth noting that he visited the headquarters of the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities in Riyadh and rehabilitation centers throughout the Kingdom, and met a number of people with disabilities in various cities, which highlights his desire to encourage and support this important group. From the community.

A journey from East to West

Professor Matteo Barsani shared his inspiring exploratory experience on his journey titled “Athar: From East to West” , in which he traveled 3,000 kilometers by handcycle across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This trip was a unique opportunity to learn about the hospitable and authentic nature of the Saudi people, through the hospitality and warm welcome he received at every stop he visited.

In his speech at KAUST, Barsani praised the unique traditions of each region and the hospitable nature of the people, expressing his gratitude for the generous hospitality he received on his trip and highlighting the physical challenges he faced during the trip, stressing that he overcame them with the strong will and great support he received.

KAUST President Professor Tony Chan responded to this achievement with admiration, praising the personal fortitude and great support that Parsani received from everyone, describing this trip as a unique reflection of his personal strength and the responsive support he received from various communities.

A sports rehabilitation initiative... broad support from the government and companies to promote sports for people with disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The initiative indicates the broad support it enjoys from several prominent government agencies and commercial sponsors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Government supporters include the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in addition to the Saudi Embassy in the United States and the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities. Commercial sponsors participating in this initiative include Value, which works to promote physical activities and sports for people with disabilities, includes prominent companies such as Shousha Island, the Red Sea International Company, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, and the Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate. Other participating companies include Saee, the Saudi Sports for All Federation, the Saudi Motor Sports Company, and the Circuit. Jeddah Corniche, the Saudi Cycling Federation, and Saudi Youth Sustainability. They enjoy strong support from prestigious global entities such as McLaren Applied, McLaren F1, E1, Sparco, Lucid, DMTC, and the Villa Beretta Institute for Rehabilitation Research Innovation.