IWAS World Games begin

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi with IWAS officials and other dignitaries at the opening ceremony of the IWAS World Games in Sharjah.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games Sharjah 2019, witnessed the banner of the eighth edition of the games being raised on Sunday at the Al Thiqa Club for the Handicapped in Sharjah.
This marks the inaugural of the IWAS World Games, Sharjah 2019 - one of the world's leading Paralympic multi-sports events, which begins with contests in seven disciplines that has brought together 1,462 participants from 50 countries, including 555 international female and male athletes. These contestants will compete at three competition venues in Sharjah, until Saturday, Feb. 16.
Sheikh Sultan stressed Sharjah's instrumental role in the advocacy for and the support to all differently-abled people in all fields, particularly in sports. He pointed out that hosting IWAS World Games in Sharjah for the second time emphasises its prestigious stature as a global platform for all athletes and reflects its capacity to organise and host this type of international events.
"A championship of such high international calibre is expected to see tough competition, and offers local and international participants the opportunity to set new records and further their achievements. Differently-abled athletes have always honoured in our country. We are sure our heroes will achieve excellent results in this competition," Sheikh Sultan said.
Sheikh Sultan thanked Rudi Van Den Abbeele, President of the IWAS Federation for his great efforts in establishing the games and offering disabled athletes compete on a global platform, and appreciated everyone's efforts aimed at ensuring the success of the event.