20 countries are participating in the competitions of the 2023 World Shooting Para Sport Championships in Al Ain city.

Under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is hosting the 2023 World Shooting Para Sport Championships in the city of Al Ain at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting, and Golf Club. The competitions will commence on the upcoming Friday, December 8th, and will continue until December 17th. The event is organized by the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination in collaboration and coordination with the International Paralympic Committee and the International Shooting Para Sport Federation.

20 Countries to Participate

Representatives from 20 countries across various continents have confirmed their participation in the championship. The contingent comprises 213 male and female athletes, along with their coaches, delegation leaders, and specialized referees and officials, both from within and outside the UAE. These athletes will compete in 41 diverse competitions for both men and women, featuring air and live ammunition pistol and rifle events, as well as prone and standing events. The competitions include air pistol, air rifle, and mixed team events, covering various distances and positions. Additionally, there will be shooting events for shotgun and visually impaired categories.

The World Cup for Paralympic Shooting, hosted in Al Ain for the seventh consecutive time, stands as the sole championship in the Middle East and North Africa region. The tournament has been successfully organized in previous years, including 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2021, in addition to the 2022 World Cup.

Abdullah Abdulali Al Hmadi, the Secretary-General of the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, emphasized that hosting and organizing the championship in Abu Dhabi for the seventh time in the Middle East and North Africa reflects the trust and responsibility placed by the International Paralympic Shooting Federation and the International Paralympic Committee. Abu Dhabi and the UAE have the international capabilities to ensure the success of the event, given their track record of successfully organizing and hosting various sports events, including six previous World Cup championships for Paralympic shooting.

The achievements of athletes with determination in various regional and international sports arenas are a testament to the support and attention provided by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, the main supporter of para sports. His Highness ensures that all success factors are in place for these knights of determination who consistently live up to expectations and possess significant capabilities to tread the path of accomplishments. They proudly raise the country's flag on championship podiums.

Abdullah Al Hmadi emphasized that the UAE, along with the Zayed Higher Organization, possesses a national cadre with global expertise and resources gained over years of international work in organizing and hosting previous championships. This team is capable of setting an exemplary model for championship competitions. He expressed his wishes for the success of our champions in achieving commendable results across various tournament competitions, winning medals, and hoisting the country's flag on championship podiums, especially as we celebrate the 52nd National Day.

Aref Hamad Al Awani, the Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, welcomed the hosting of the 2023 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in the city of Al Ain at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting, and Golf Club in December. Al Awani emphasized that this hosting reflects the keen interest of the wise leadership, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the State (may he be safeguarded), in attracting major international events. These events provide an opportunity for athletes with determination to showcase their capabilities and potential, considering them an integral part of human development and a fundamental pillar in the progress and rise of nations. The event is held under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed bin Sultan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

Al Awani stated, "The World Shooting Para Sport World Cup has witnessed the participation of hundreds of players from around the world throughout its past editions. This reflects Abu Dhabi's leadership and pioneering role in hosting major global sports events. It also demonstrates the confidence of international sports federations and institutions in the infrastructure that has become an exemplary model."

He further added, "The Abu Dhabi Sports Council supports gatherings that aim for peace, love, and communication with people of determination, who have consistently achieved successes in various sports arenas. The Council strives to empower them in their communities, enabling them to transition from a stage of reliance to active participation, impact, and even accomplishments."

Abdullah Ismaeil Al Kamali, the Executive Director of the People of Determination Sector at the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and the Chairman of the Supreme Committee organizing the tournament, expressed his appreciation for the interest of the wise leadership, represented by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the State (may he be safeguarded), and his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President of the State, the Prime Minister, and the Ruler of Dubai (may he be safeguarded), as well as their brothers, the rulers of the Emirates, in the Emirati human. He also commended the leadership's support for all segments and categories of the Emirati society in general and people of determination in particular.

Al Kamali emphasized that hosting the tournament has become a distinctive feature in the agenda of the International Paralympic Committee and the International Shooting Committee. This is due to the great and outstanding success in organizing and hosting previous tournaments. He expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, for his sponsorship of the tournament. He also thanked the officials of the Council, the strategic partner of the Zayed Higher Organization, and its Secretary-General for their ongoing coordination with the Zayed Foundation in organizing and hosting several important sporting events. Al Kamali explained that the Abu Dhabi Sports Council's follow-up provides a suitable climate for supporting the development of sports for people of determination. It also works to expand the sports base for people of determination.

Acknowledgment of Sponsors

The Executive Director of the People of Determination Sector at the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination and the Chairman of the Supreme Committee organizing the tournament expressed gratitude and appreciation to all the entities, institutions, and companies sponsoring and supporting the tournament. He highlighted their significant contributions to the success of all events organized by Zayed Organization, especially in the realm of sports. He stated that this initiative stems from a sense of national responsibility on the part of these entities to support sports in general and sports for people of determination in the country.

The sponsoring entities, led by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council as the strategic partner of the Foundation and the government supporter, include the General Sports Authority, the UAE Paralympic Committee, Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting, and Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters, and sponsors such as Abu Dhabi Civil Defense, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Emirates Transport, Al Baddad International, Al Ain Farms, Agthia Group, Al Foah Dates, Al Ain Water, Ramsat Perfumes, and Ferkán Healthy.