National MS Society Unveils “Masters Of Strength” For Landmark Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) announced its participation in the 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi Art Fair, which opens on November 19 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. As part of this year’s fair, NMSS will present Evident Presence: A Community of Care, an immersive installation that translates real stories from people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) into a shared encounter that brings visibility to commonly overlooked experiences.
Hosted in the region for the first time, the Games provide a global platform to spotlight people living with MS alongside the wider community, reinforcing movement as flexible and empowering.
NMSS’s participation in the Games serves as the flagship activation of its Move for MS initiative for 2026. Now in its third year, the initiative encourages the wider community to take part in any form of movement to raise awareness and funds to advance MS programs and care. To date, Move for MS has engaged over 4,000 participants and raised more than AED 800,000 in support of people living with MS.
At the Games, NMSS will be represented by Masters of Strength, a team that brings together people living with MS and advocates who will compete across cycling, swimming, and running disciplines. The team includes Ameera Al Jaberi, Deborah Dunne, Mohammed Al Harbi, Marie Meillaud, Sirik Deurloo, Leen Almasood, and Mohamed Selim. While the participants will compete individually, they come together as a collective expression of the resilience, diversity, and strength of the MS community.
Maral Alexandrian, Acting Executive Director of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, said:
“The Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi offers a global platform to advance that commitment. Through sport, we can open dialogue, challenge perceptions, and represent the resilience and diversity of the MS community. We are proud of the Masters of Strength team whose discipline, consistency, and continued commitment embody the spirit of this shared mission.”
Throughout the Games, NMSS will be present at Hudayriyat Island with an interactive booth offering visitors the opportunity to connect with NMSS representatives, meet members of the Masters of Strength team, and learn more about the Society’s programs and support services.
Taking place from 6 to 15 February, the event also presents an exciting opportunity for friends, families, and supporters to attend and show their support for the Masters of Strength team. Free public access will be available at most venues, with competition schedules and locations for each participant shared via the Society’s social media channels.