SHARJAH, United Arab Emirate, Feb 8 (NNN-WAM) – Emirati Paralympic athletes are going over their final preparatory drills, before they go head to head with 479 athletes from 49 countries, who will all be competing for podium positions at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports (IWAS) World Games 2019, here in Sharjah.
The games have come back to the emirate after 2011, and will run its course on Feb 10-16 at selected locations.
The eighth edition of the world championship is being held under the patronage of Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
The headcount of the UAE sports delegation for IWAS World Games, Sharjah 2019, is 111 and includes 76 athletes. These athletes will represent the nation in all seven categories of sports featured in the championship – archery, swimming, shooting, athletics, badminton, table tennis and wheelchair fencing.
Paralympic champion, Mohamed Al Qayed, who scooped silver and bronze at the 2012 London Paralympic Games, and a gold medal at the Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016, stated that he is in top form. Qayed’s been training at a camp in Thailand, and aspires to break his ‘four gold’ personal record at Sharjah’s debut edition of IWAS World Games.
UAE shooter, Abdullah Al Aryani, is a London 2012 Paralympic Games’ gold medalist, and silver medal-holder at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, highlighted the readiness of local athletes to achieve stellar results that will raise the UAE flag in international sporting venues.
Theban Salem Almuhairi, UAE Disabled Sports Federation Secretary-General, praised UAE athletes and their eagerness and readiness to achieve titles. He noted that, the UAE athletes are a mix of rising stars and accomplished sports persons, and their participation in the international sporting event that will see athletes from 55 countries, is an ideal platform to gain experience, showcase UAE’s athleticism, and an important stepping stone for UAE athletes on their way for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.– NNN-WAM
