Second Fazza International Para-Archery Championship Press Conference Dubai 2016

50 athletes from 15 countries confirmed for competition from 13^th to 19^th January

DUBAI, 11^th January: The Fazza Championships for the Disabled will kick off the new season with the Second Fazza International Para-Archery Championship Dubai 2016 that will be held at the Dubai Club for the Disabled in Dubai from January 13th to 19th.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council (DSC), it is organized and supervised by the Dubai Club for the Disabled with the support of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) and in cooperation with DSC, General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare and the UAE Paralympic Committee.

The second edition of the Fazza International Para-Archery Championship has attracted more countries than the inaugural event and has been recognised by the international governing body of the sport, World Archery, which is affiliated to the International Paralympic Committee.

This announcement came during a press conference held at the Dubai Club for the Disabled in Dubai on Monday (January 11th) attended by Thani Juma Berregad, Chairman of the Dubai Club for the Disabled and Head of the Organising Committee for the Fazza Championships for the Disabled; Majid Abdullah Al Usaimi, Executive Director at the Dubai Club for the Disabled and Director of the Fazza Championships for the Disabled; Ms Fatima Al Bannay, Manager of The Media Office at HHC and the Manager of Al Oula Radio, Hamad Beljafla, Head of the Public Relations Committee, and Nageeb Meshkan, from Technical Committee

The number of participating countries for the Second Fazza International Para-Archery Championship has increased to 15 countries, namely: Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, India, Iran, Iraq, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Romania, Russia, United Kingdom, South Korea, Thailand and tournament hosts the UAE.

There will be 50 athletes vying for honours in this competition – 40 per cent (20) of whom will be female archers.

“The increase in the number of countries participating proves that the sport of archery is growing around the world. The Dubai Club for the Disabled is pleased to welcome archers to exhibit their skills with the bow and arrow during this competition. It will surely raise the standard of the Championship, which is expected to be higher than last year,” said Juma Thani Berregad.

Majid Abdullah Al Usaimi said recognition by World Archery of the Fazza International Para-Archery Championship has provided a huge boost.

“International recognition is a huge step forward for the sport of archery in the UAE and for the Fazza Championships for the Disabled. This motivates us to raise the level of organization and ensure that it will be conducted according to world standards,” said Majid Abdullah Al Usaimi.

Ms. Fatima Al Bannay urged the media to extend their support to the sport of archery because it is a traditional sport that reflects the heritage of the UAE.

“Archery has been used for hunting and combat from ancient times. The historical origins of archery can be traced to the Middle East long before it became a competitive and recreational sport in the modern age. Furthermore, the media has an important role to play to encourage the participation of athletes in general in disabled sports,” said Ms. Fatima Al Bannay.

Nageeb Meshkan explained the technical details of the Fazza International Para-Archery Championship.

“All the foreign teams are expected to arrive on Wednesday (January 13th). There will be an opening ceremony on Thursday (January 14th). There will be a technical meeting of delegates and inspection of equipment on Friday (January 15th). The classification of athletes will take place on Saturday (January 16th) before the competition begins,” said Ahmed Hassan Alhamadi.

Hamad Beljafla said they would be making every endeavour to make the participants feel at home and conduct a Championship that lives long in the memory.

“We will welcome them from the airport and look after their needs from the moment they arrive, so that they will feel comfortable for the entire duration of their stay here. We want them to take back pleasant memories of their participation and the hospitality of Dubai,” he said.