Sharjah to host the 4th West Asia Para Games

This came during a press conference, held on Monday, attended by Fares Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee; Issa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman of Sharjah Sports Council (SSC); Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Khadem, Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of 4th West Asia Para Games; Dr. Abdul Razzaq Al Rasheed, President of the West Asia Paralympic Federation; Ahmed Salem Al Mazloum Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Director General of the tournament; representatives of the tournament sponsors and strategic partners.

The committee announced the presence of 513 participants representing players, technical and administrative staff from 12 countries, namely the United Arab Emirates, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Iraq, the Sultanate of Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Kuwait, the Lebanese Republic, and the Republic of Yemen.

The committee stated that the participating teams will compete in 7 main sports: strength games, table tennis, badminton, goal ball, wheelchair basketball, boccia, and power lifting.

Dr. Tariq Sultan bin Khadim indicated that Sharjah and Al Thiqah Club for the Disabled hosting of the champions of the Fourth West Asian Para Games reflects the interest of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, the Ruler of Sharjah, to turn Sharjah into an incubator for humanitarian and development initiatives, and a beacon for empowering all social groups by providing all the capabilities for sports and youth programmes and activities in general and sports for people with disabilities in particular to achieve the best results.

Tariq Sultan bin Khadem added that the committee constantly seeks to enhance the infrastructure to suit all types of sports, with a focus on sports for people with disabilities, and to secure all the requirements of this important segment of society, to whom our esteemed government provides all support to provide a safe, stable and effective life.

Bin Khadem pointed out the importance of the role of the media in raising awareness of the achievements and prominent participation of people with disabilities in the development of societies, calling for intensifying media support for activities and tournaments related to people with disabilities and giving them the attention they deserve in local and international media outlets.

Dr. Abdul Razzaq Al Rasheed extended his thanks and appreciation to the Government of Sharjah for its keenness to host the fourth edition of the West Asia Para Games, which is the most prominent regional event in Paralympic sports. He added that the West Asia Paralympic Federation is also proud to cooperate with Al Thiqah Club for the Disabled, due to the great deal of work, the tremendous efforts, and the high arrangements made by the Executive Committee in order to secure the success of the tournament.

Ahmed Salem Al Mazloum Al Suwaidi explained that the total number of participants reached 513, including 382 male and female players, 131 coaches and administrators representing 12 members of the West Asian Federation, competing in seven different sports.

Al Mazloum added that the UAE participates with the largest number of players, namely 92 male and female players, while the State of Kuwait is considered the least participating country with only one player.

Ahmed Salem Al Mazloum announced that a new identity has been launched for Al-Thiqa Club starting from the start of the tournament and the adoption of the free falcon symbol to represent the club’s mascot during the coming period, which expresses the capabilities of people with disabilities that exceed all limits.