Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has ordered a grant of Dh6 million to be given to people with special needs to enable and encourage them to participate and excel in local, regional and international sports competitions.
Shaikh Mohammad issued the orders on Sunday, when he attended the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Powerlifting Championship held at the Dubai Club for Special Needs Sports.
Shaikh Mohammad visited the Emirati team’s training arena and inquired about the needs of the athletes as well as their preparedness to participate in the competition in which 430 athletes from 65 countries are competing.
He then visited the resting and general training area and spoke with a number of athletes. Shaikh Mohammad also inquired about the facilities being provided for them.
Shaikh Mohammad then attended a match and took a commemorative photo with the athletes.
Shaikh Mohammad later met Sir Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), who suffered permanent injury to his legs at the age of 16 during a rock-climbing expedition.
Shaikh Mohammad told Craven that a disability has never been an obstacle for innovation or excellence, especially if the mind is still sound.
Craven hailed the facilities and hospitality provided by the Dubai authorities. Craven said that this edition of the championship is an exceptional one because it’s being held at an Arab country with a international reputation and also possesses the logistic support and advantages to ensure the success of any competition.
