Sharjah24: Under the generous patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, the 10th Sharjah International Open Para Athletics Meeting for the Disabled will launch on Monday, being hosted by Al Thiqa Club for Handicapped in Sharjah from 14-16 March.
205 male and female players, representing 20 different countries, will participate in the Forum's competitions, including 73 players from the UAE clubs, with 21 females and 52 males players.
This came during a press conference held by the Higher Organising Committee of the Meeting, headed by His Excellency Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Khadem, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the Forum, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Thiqa Club for Handicapped, to reveal the details of the tournament and sponsors, in the presence of Counselor Hamid Ali Al-Abbar, Chairman of the Marketing and Investment Committee, and His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, as well as several dignitaries ,representatives of departments, institutions, supporting entities and the media.
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Khadem expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his unlimited support for people with disabilities, extending his thanks to Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, for his generous sponsorship of this great sporting event, praising the great role that Al-Thiqa Club has played in integrating people with disabilities into society.
Bin Khadem also directed his thanks and appreciation to all the sponsors of the forum, stressing the importance of supporting government and community institutions for the club's activities and programmes. He also stressed the effective role of the media in highlighting the forum and shedding light on the efforts made by all state agencies to provide full support and care for groups with disabilities.
For his part, His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa stressed that the Authority’s participation in sponsoring the forum stems from the sense of responsibility instilled by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, aiming to ensure supporting the sports activities for all the segments of society, contributing in preserving the remarkable status of the emirate.
His Excellency Hassan Al-Balgouni, Director of Public Relations and Community Service at Sharjah Islamic Bank, stated that the bank’s management believes in the importance of this tournament, as it reflects the directions of our wise leadership in consolidating the state’s position in various global forums.
Ahmed Salem Al Mazloum, Executive Director of the Forum, announced that the organising committee has designated the 5000m wheelchair race to be called the 50-Year Race in the Love of Sultan, and another race for girls, called the Big Heart. He also made said that the new IPC/International Federation of Disabled Sports laws will be applied, the categories will be merged and points will be calculated, in addition to honouring the top three places in each competition. Al Mazloum also indicated that the forum will include many heritage and community programs to introduce the Emirate of Sharjah and its global cultural role.
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