UAE National Paralympic Committee to sign contract later this month for Dubai to host World Para Athletics Championships

Denzil Pinto 15:11 14/06/2018
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  • London hosted the last World Para Championships in 2017

    UAE National Paralympic Committee (UNPC) officials will travel to Germany later this month to officially sign the contract that will see Dubai host the World Para Athletics Championships in 2019.

    Last week, the World Para Athletics announced the Emirate will stage next year’s showpiece event from November 7 to 15 which will be the last opportunity for athletes to press their case for selection ahead of the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.

    UPC vice-president Majid Rashed confirmed the country’s governing body will put pen to paper in Germany by the end of the month following the verbal agreement.

    “We will be going to Germany later this month and only after that we will reveal more information about the championships,” Rashed, who is also CEO of the Dubai Club for People of Determination, told Sport360.

    “It’s just a verbal approval between both parties and we will sign the deal at the end of this month.”

    The championships will take place at the brand new athletics stadium – Dubai Club for People of Determination with more than 1,300 athletes from more than 100 countries set to compete. It will be the first time the event will be held in the UAE.

    Speaking to the World Para Athletics website, Rashed added: “We are honoured to be trusted with such a prestigious event within the world of Para sport and are looking forward to welcoming the world to Dubai. As a club and as emirate, we have a long tradition within our organisation of delivering world class sporting events. We will build on what we have learned from hosting the Para Athletics Asia-Oceania Championships and our annual World Para Athletics Grand Prix, ensuring that this championship builds on the success of previous editions and the athletes inspire the world.”

    Dubai regularly hosts the Grand Prix ever year

    Dubai regularly hosts the Grand Prix ever year

    And NPC president Mohammed Al Hameli, who is also a member of the International Paralympic Committee, is delighted that Dubai will get the chance to stage a global competition.

    “We are very proud to have Dubai and the United Arab Emirates hosting for the first time the World Para Athletics Championships,” he told the World Para Athletics website.

    “It is an amazing opportunity to showcase the development of Para sports in Dubai and in our country. The participating nations and their athletes will find world class facilities to be able to perform at their best. It will also be a great opportunity for the people of UAE and the citizens of Dubai to watch some of the world’s best athletes in action.”

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