Dubai to host IWBF Wheelchair Basketball Championships
Dignitaries along with UAE team players attend a press conference to announce the IWBF Wheelchair Basketball Championships on Thursday.
The Championships, to be held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Protection of the Rights of People of Determination, will be witness to 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 UAE 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 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.
“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,” said Berregad thanking the sponsors and partners.
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.”
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,” he added.
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.
