The 6th Fazza BISFed 2019 Fazza Dubai Boccia Regional Open Championships kicked off with the Individual Pool matches at the Shabab Al Ahli Club on Monday, with as many as 60 players vying for ranking points towards their qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Organised and hosted by the Dubai Club for People of Determination under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, the Championships is the last chance for Boccia players to gain maximum ranking points and book Tokyo 2020 slots for their nations.

The deadline for Individual, Team and Pairs world ranking list is Dec.31, 2019. A total of 116 players will qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

This year the Championships have attracted 14 countries, including Indonesia and Mongolia who are making their debut here. However, some of the top teams like Thailand, Slovakia and Greece have given it a miss.

Last year, the championships witnessed a record 106 athletes representing 22 countries from across the world.

Welcoming the teams in Dubai at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Dubai Club for People of Determination and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee Thani Juma Berregad, said: “We are very glad to have you here every year. As we aim to raise the awareness and level of Para sport competition in the UAE, this Championship plays a significant role. I hope we will get to witness some high standard competition in the next few days. I wish all of you good luck and pleasant stay here.”

BISFed Technical delegate Helena Bastos added: “We are very happy to see some new countries at this edition of the Championships. Thank you, Dubai and the organisers because every year we have some good surprises. Hopefully this year too, we will witness great competition. I know everybody cannot be a winner but I am sure at the end, everyone will be going back home happy. Enjoy the competition.”

Among others gracing the opening were the members of the Club’s board of directors including Ahmed Julfar and Mona Hammad.

The absence of Thailand, who has been a dominant force in the sport as well as in this Championships in the past, have raised hopes of many other nations to make the most of this situation and gain maximum ranking points. Nations who are expected to make a mark are Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, China and Australia.