How a father's love sparked a national movement for inclusive sports

Dubai: When Abdul Quddus Mohammed Ahmed Ishaq, a taekwondo expert and coach at Dubai Police, welcomed his son into the world in 2007, he had no idea that the diagnosis of autism would change not only his life—but the lives of thousands of others.

Instead of letting the news bring him down, Abdul Quddus turned his personal challenge into a powerful mission: to help People of Determination find strength, confidence, and purpose through sports.

That year was a turning point. With love for his son and a strong belief in the potential of every individual, Abdul Quddus began volunteering at the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services. For a full year, he studied how to work with people with physical and mental disabilities, looking for better ways to connect, communicate, and support them.

He believed that sports could be more than just a physical activity—it could become a tool for healing, growth, and inclusion. His goal was to help People of Determination improve their motor skills, build relationships, and most importantly, believe in themselves.

Driven by passion, he introduced Para Taekwondo in the UAE, creating the sport from scratch for athletes with disabilities. He trained coaches, ran workshops across the Arab world, and led the UAE national team to its first major success—a silver medal in the 2015 Para Taekwondo Championship in Taiwan. This was a historic moment: the first time a Gulf country reached such a milestone in this sport.

Abdul Quddus didn't just want to train athletes. He wanted to help them become champions—in sports and in life.

He earned several certifications, including one in special education, and began developing training programs designed specifically for People of Determination. His sessions focused on improving movement, communication, and confidence.

He also formed and trained national teams for athletes with hearing impairments and other disabilities, leading them to multiple victories. These included silver and bronze medals at the 2025 World Para Taekwondo Championships in Bahrain, and first place in the 2024 Arab Police Para Taekwondo Championship.

Innovation for Inclusion

Thanks to strong support from Dubai Police, Abdul Quddus helped design a custom rifle shooting chair for athletes who had lost their limbs. The chair was approved by the international shooting federation and made it possible for Emirati athlete Aisha Al Shamsi to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympics—using her toes to aim and shoot. She became the first woman in the world to do so, winning several medals along the way.

Spreading Knowledge and Hope

Abdul Quddus shares what he learns. He is a trainer for coaches working with People of Determination, a speaker at global conferences, and an author of a book about the importance of physical activity for wheelchair users.

He also launched a program called “Healing Through Para Taekwondo”, the first of its kind in the world. It is now used in seven centers across the UAE and helps improve the emotional and physical well-being of participants. Parents and doctors have praised its impact.

Recognition and Gratitude

His work has earned many awards, including:

•     International Public Safety Association Award (IPSA) for community impact

•     International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Award for Best Community Policing Initiative – 2023 & 2024

•     Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work – 2022

•     More than 250 certificates of appreciation and 39 medals from Dubai Police

But for Abdul Quddus, the biggest reward is seeing People of Determination break barriers and believe in themselves.

A Message of Hope

“Sports helped me give my son a better life,” he said. “So I wanted to give the same hope to others. Everyone deserves a chance to shine. No disability should stop someone from dreaming big.”

Abdul Quddus’s journey shows that when love and purpose come together, one person truly can change the world—one life, one step, and one victory at a time.