World's best para shuttlers aim to end year on a high in Dubai

A galaxy of stars including Paralympic and recently crowned Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games champions will be in action in Dubai over the next one week when the 5th Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023 begins at the Al Nasr Club on December 11.

The Dubai 2023 International will be the last Para Badminton event of the season in the BWF calendar and offers important qualification points towards Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

The 2024 Para Badminton World Championships in Pattaya next February will be the final event before the qualification period ends on March 31, 2024.

With a line-up of over 300 shuttlers from 41 nations, a fierce competition is expected in most of the categories with old rivalries set to revive in Dubai.

Aiming for the Paralympic ranking points, nations including China, Indonesia, India, Japan, and Republic of Korea will be ready to put up a dominating show with strong line-ups in their ranks.

The hosts UAE will be represented by three players – with Siham Al Rasheedy, also competing in Para Athletics since 2005, will make her debut, while Jamal Al Badawi, who recently competed at the Asian Para Games, will lead the team. Badawi also compete in international wheelchair basketball competitions.

“I am very excited to compete in my first Para Badminton event. I had a good preparation with coach (Aditya) for the last one month. I look to get some good learning experience at the event as there are Paralympic and continental champions playing here,” said the Dubai Club trainee Al Rasheedy.

Team China will have Paralympic and Asian Para Games stars including Qu Zimo and Liu Yutong (both competing in WH2), Hefang Cheng (WS SL4) in their ranks while for Indonesia, their star players Leani Ratri Oktila (WS, WD SL4), Rina Marlina (WS SH6), Dheva Anrimusthi (MS SU5) and Freddy Setiawan (MS SL4) will be leading the charge.

Hong Kong, China meanwhile will be led by their Paralympic and Asian Para Games champion Chu Man Kai (MS SH6) while Malaysia’s Cheah Liek Hou (MS SU5) would look to continue his good run in Dubai.