Stars Line Up for Special Olympics Opening Ceremony

(ATR) The singer of international hit "Despacito" and a long-time Special Olympics backer are the biggest names performing at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Special Olympics World Games.

A report in The National, the English-language newspaper for the United Arab Emirates published the international list of performers for the opening ceremony, scheduled for March 14.

Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi is perhaps best known for his hit "Despacito". Canadian Avril Lavigne released a single in 2015, "Fly", to raise money for the Special Olympics and has invited Special Olympians to her concert performances.

Also performing at the ceremony will be English DJ Paul Oakenfold, Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassami, Egyptian singer Tamer Hosny and Syrian musician Assala Nasri.

Lavigne was quoted in The National saying: "I have been working with the Special Olympics for a number of years and this will truly be an incredible experience performing at the largest and most unified Special Olympics World Games ever held."

She hailed the athletes competing for "their courage and determination".

The Special Olympics World Games will take place March 14 to 21 in Abu Dhabi. Footballers Didier Drogba, Romario and Cafu had previously announced they will attend the Special Olympics.

One-hundred-and-ninety-seven countries will compete in the Special Olympics World Games.

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