The United Arab Emirates is set to welcome the world’s best wheelchair basketball teams including the Paralympic and world champions when it hosts the IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships- Dubai 2022 at the World Trade Centre halls from June 9 to 20.
The Championships, to be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Protection of the Rights of People of Determination, will be witness more than 300 players representing 28 teams (16 men and 12 women) vying for the top honours at the World Trade Centre courts.
The championships will be held simultaneously with the IWBF Congress that is set to witness the election of the Federation’s president and members for a new session.
Hosts United Arab Emirates will take on Italy in a Group A game on June 9 to kick off the 12-day showcase event, which will be held for the first time an Arab or Middle Eastern nation.
Proud Moment
It is indeed a proud moment for UAE not just as a host, but also as a participant as it is the first time a UAE team will participate in a Wheelchair Basketball World Championships.
This was announced at the pre-championships press conference today (on Thursday) to announce the details of the event, sponsors and partners, in the presence of Thani Juma Berregad, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Championships, and Majid Al-Usaimi, Tournament Director, Khalaf bin Ahmed Al Habtoor, Founder and Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group; Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council; Asif Ali Chowdhury, chairman of the NFL Investment Group, the marketing company for the Championships and UAE star wheelchair basketball player Ibrahim Alhammadi.
Thani Juma Berregad, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Championships said:
“We are looking forward to presenting an exceptional version with all its inspiring messages, which will embody the will of the players. In the next few days, the world can see the great role of sport in empowering groups of society, and this is the goal of the championship – to achieve all the goals for which it is held.”
Praise for Dubai Club
Khalaf bin Ahmed Al Habtoor praised the developmental role played by the Dubai Club for People of Determination in society in the sports, cultural and social fields.
Stressing that the Al Habtoor Group will spare no effort in providing all aspects of support for the tournament, wishing all success to the national team.
“We all must support our Heroes of Determination. Determination alone is not enough to make heroes; professionalism is necessary to achieve this.”
H.E. Saeed Hareb expressed his happiness on Dubai hosting this global event, which came because of the great interest and support for the people of determination from our wise leadership, which has witnessed great development in recent times.
“Dubai has become a preferred destination for international federations to organize international tournaments and events in it, thanks to its advanced infrastructure, including sports facilities and facilities designed according to the best international specifications and standards.
“We are proud to cooperate with the Dubai Club for People of Determination in organising this great global event.”
Exceptional Championships
For his part, Al-Usaimi expressed his happiness with the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for this important global event and his follow-up to the tournaments organised by the Dubai Club for People of Determination, which contributed greatly to the development of the level of these global events.
“We, as the organising committee, can confirm that the various work teams have completed all the preparations to present an exceptional tournament that will remain stuck in the minds of every participant. UAE and Dubai are always up to the challenge to turn dreams into reality and the impossible into achievement according to the vision of our wise leadership.”
Meanwhile, Chowdhury thanked the organising committee for giving the NFL Sports Academy the opportunity to market two important World Championships – Wheelchair Basketball and the upcoming Para Powerlifting World Championships, hoping that the events would achieve its desired goals.
“NFL Investment is proud to support this event. We believe in inclusivity and equality, giving everyone a chance to participate in sports.”
Ibrahim, a trainee of Dubai Club for People of Determination, thanked the wise leadership for its great support for the People of Determination, which enabled them to reach the global scene.
“On behalf of the players of our team, I welcome all the players participating in the Dubai version, through which the People of Determination seek to leave a mark through their performance that will stay in everyone’s minds for long time.”
For more information regarding the 2022 IWBF World Championships visit the website.
Photo Credit: Mark Madrid
