DUSHANBE, May 22, Asia-Plus  -- The Central Asian Open 2008 Table Tennis Tournament for individuals with intellectual disabilities is opening in Dushanbe today, Asia-plus has learned at the Special Olympics Tajikistan.

The tournament that will last till May 26 has brought together sportsmen from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.  

The tournament is being held under support of Tajikistan’s National Commit Committee (NOC), Committee for Youth, Sports and Tourism Affairs, as well as Agroinvestbonk.  

Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization* dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Special Olympics offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round training and competition in 30 Olympic-type summer and winter sports.  Special Olympics currently serves 2.5 million people with intellectual disabilities in more than 200 Programs in over 180 countries.