Karwar: A 19-year old boy from Uttara Kannada District’s coastal town Kumta, brought laurel to the country by winning two gold medals at the Special Olympics World Games 2019, held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Sandesh Krishna Harikantra, a student of Dayanilaya Special School in Kumta, amazed everyone with his performances in the table tennis event of the Special Olympics 2019 as he bagged two gold medals in as many categories of the event.
Sandesh bagged his first gold in the Men’s single category in the age group of 16-21 years while he also bagged gold in the doubles category along with his fellow Indian teammate Tukaram.
Sandesh’s coach Cyril Salu, who is coaching him for five years said he was proud of the way the young lad performed and won the medal at the highest level with his hard work and dedication. Cyril added that Sandesh had been spending six hours of his day for practice and preparations for last five years.
Sandesh first participated in the Taluka level event from where he was qualified for the district level and subsequently for interstate, state and national level. Sandesh was then shortlisted among 1000 students from across the country for pre-preparatory camps from where players were reduced to 500 and then 300 before selecting five best players from the lot.
In the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi, Sandesh was up against players from Switzerland and Egypt in Quarter final and Semi final respectively before clashing with a participant representing Siberia.
Other Indians who won gold medals in the event include Anu Chennekota from Andhra Pradesh in Women Table Tennis Division -3 under age group of 16-21 years, Sabita Yadava in Division-4 under age group of 16-21 years, Akash Tukaram from Maharashtra in men’s single under age group of 18-21 years, while Reshma Shaikh bagged Silver Medal in the Women's category.



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UAE: Abu Dhabi residents and expatriates received emergency alerts on their mobile phones on Saturday, February 28 afternoon amid reports of explosions in the city, warning of “potential missile threats.”
Mobile phones across the UAE capital buzzed as the alerts were issued, prompting people to take immediate safety precautions.
The message, reportedly shared by the Ministry of Interior, read, “Due to current situation, a potential missile threats, Seek immediate shelter in the closest secure building, and to steer away from windows, doors, and open areas. Await for further instructions. (MOI).”
Several users took to X to share screenshots and videos of the alerts and the situation in the city. Multiple posts circulated online as people reacted to the warnings issued across Abu Dhabi.
Vartha Bharati could not independtly verify the alerts.
π¨π¦πͺ Emergency alert issued in Abu Dhabi, the UAE with Iranian missiles approaching
— {Matt} $XRPatriot (@matttttt187) February 28, 2026
π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯ pic.twitter.com/nKPvE2Heid
π¨π¦πͺ BREAKING: Emergency alert issued in Abu Dhabi, the UAE with Iranian missiles approaching! pic.twitter.com/HctLmGfnYS
— Muhammad Ajmal (@mohammd_ajmal) February 28, 2026
π¨π¦πͺ Emergency alert issued in Abu Dhabi, the UAE with Iranian missiles approaching! pic.twitter.com/RKndgza4Td
— Sardar Saqlain Nahra (@SardarNahra) February 28, 2026
Emergency alert issued in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. pic.twitter.com/gzmOU1lUuW
— NewsXVW (@NewsXVW) February 28, 2026
π¦πͺ BREAKING: The UAE government has issued an emergency alert to the it's citizens in Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/UFXFjEvLn2
— GLOBE TONY (@globetony_) February 28, 2026
Breaking : Emergency Alert in Abu Dhabi π¦πͺ pic.twitter.com/4ZwyFJ64sL
— lilly Gates (@lillygates_x) February 28, 2026
The alerts came hours after Iran on Saturday attacked Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Qatar’s Doha, and Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, according to the information shared, following joint strikes conducted by Israel and the US on Iran.
