Regional Paralympic Organisations’ delegates meet in Dubai to discuss strategic plans

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Delegates of five Regional Paralympic Organisations met in Dubai, the headquarters of the Asian Paralympic Committee, and held discussions on various important topics in a daylong meeting.

Nine officials including the Presidents of the five Regional Paralympic Organisations including Africas, Americas, European, Oceania and Asian Paralympic Committee attended the day-long meeting that was opened by APC President Majid Rashed.

Welcoming the delegates, Rashed said: "It’s our great honour to host the Regional Organisations’ Presidents and representatives. Over the years, the ROs have played a significant role in helping the Paralympic Movement grow across the globe. So, it is important for us to meet and discuss important issues and share experiences and matters to develop the movement in our regions."

"The UAE has a lot of initiatives and programmes for the people of determination under the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE. At APC, we always believe that ‘Together we are stronger’, and we believe that we can open the doors to exchange ideas and use them as a benchmark for us. I hope this meeting will help us discuss our plans, know our roles better within the IPC, and work together to achieve our goals," highlighted the APC President.

Some of the important topics discussed during the day were RO’s strategic plans and activities; the development of the movement in the region, including how the regions can lead the development conversation and delivery in the country; and a discussion on NOC/NPC models as examples for struggling NPCs.

The evening session of the meeting, hosted by the Asian Paralympic Committee, included discussions on the role and future of the RO’s and positioning them as key stakeholders within the IPC structure.

Among the delegates present at the meeting were: Paul Bird, Oceania Paralympic Committee – President; Raymon Blondel, European Paralympic Committee – President; Julio Cesar Avila Sarria, Americas Paralympic Committee – President; Hayat Khattab, African Paralympic Committee – Vice President; and Tarek Souei, Asian Paralympic Committee – CEO, among others.

The last Regional Organisations’ meeting was held in Lima during the 2019 Parapan American Games under the chair of International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons.