International para athletes will make their long-awaited return to competition this week when the 12th Fazza Para Athletics Championships – Dubai 2021 World Para Athletics Grand Prix begins on Wednesday.
Para Athletics have been severely disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, with all major events either cancelled or postponed, including the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Held February 10-13, the Fazza Para Athletic Championships – Dubai 2021 World Para Athletics Grand Prix will welcome more than 600 para athletes from 63 countries and will serve as the one of the seven qualifying events for this summer's Games.
Uzbekistan's 39-member squad and Chile were the first two nations to arrive and have been preparing for the championship in Dubai for the past month.
Kenya, with one of the biggest contingents of 69 para-athletes, and France's 41-strong team arrived on Saturday. India (39), Kazakhstan (38) and Russia (36) will also be hoping to secure some slots at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Thani Juma Berregad, chairman of the championships said all precautionary measures have been put in place, including sanitisation of the stadium and seating areas, PCR tests, and hoardings and boards of safety measures inside the area.
“After a difficult last year, we are happy to host the 2021 edition of the Fazza Championships,” he said.
“The event is also a testament that Dubai is ready to host successful competitions and welcome athletes from all over the world.
“The health and safety of the visiting teams are our priority and Dubai has always taken the precautionary measures. This time also we are following all the measures and happy to see the numbers of teams coming here.”
Majid Al Usaimi, director of the championships, described the event as “very special”, saying: “This year’s event will enter the history of UAE and the Dubai Club as this will open the para sport season following a year of no competition due to the pandemic.
“Our top two priorities here are the health protocol and safety of everyone attending the event. So, there’s no time to rest for us and I trust my team can deliver a successful event like the World Championships in 2019.
“I wish the 63 visiting teams the best for the competition and take good back memories from Dubai. Good Luck!”
