Dubai: The visit of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, was a true highlight for the UAE Paralympic Games squad in London on Wednesday.
Dr Shaikh Sultan was received at the team’s hotel by UAE Paralympic Committee President Mohammad Fadhel Al Hameli, General Secretary Majid Al Usaimi and Abdul Rahman Al Mutaiwe’e, UAE Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
The Ruler of Sharjah congratulated the UAE squad on their achievements during the ongoing 2012 London Paralympic Games and wished them further success in the competition, which is scheduled to end with the closing ceremony on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Vahdani ended in third place in his heats of the men’s 400m T54 class, once again missing out narrowly on qualifying for the final. Vahdani was timed at 50.0 seconds in the third heat of the 400m, which was won by China’s Lixin Zhang in a time of 48.72 seconds, while Switzerland’s Marcel Hug came in second with a time of 48.87 seconds.
The UAE has so far claimed two medals at the London Paralympic Games with Abdullah Sultan Al Aryani getting the ball rolling by taking gold in the mixed R6-50m rifle prone on Tuesday. The second medal for the UAE was a silver when Mohammad Al Hammadi came second in the men’s 200m T34 class race.
The UAE can still hope for medals as they have another seven athletes who are due to participate in various track-and-field events over the next three days. Thuraya Al Za’abi was scheduled to compete in the women’s shot put final and Siham Al Rasheedi was due to take part in the women’s javelin throw later on Thursday.
Mohammad Bani Hashim will be participating in the men’s 200m T53 class heats on Friday morning, while Mohammad Al Muhairi and Ahmad Al Hosani are to take part in the men’s discus throw later in the evening.
