Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed Opens Asian Youth Paralympic Games 2025 In Dubai With 1,500 Athletes
H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, officially opened the Asian Youth Paralympic Games – Dubai 2025. This edition is the largest yet, with 1,500 athletes from 35 nations competing in 11 sports. The event, held from 10 to 13 December across eight top venues in Dubai, underscores the city's reputation as a global centre for Paralympic sports.
The opening ceremony took place at the Dubai Club for People of Determination. It was attended by notable figures such as Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports; Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai; and Dato Sri Hajjah Fatimah Abdullah from Malaysia. Also present were Majid Al Usaimi, President of the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), and other distinguished guests.
Among those attending were Sheikh Mohammed bin Duaij Al Khalifa from Bahrain's Paralympic Committee and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Nasser Al Saud from Saudi Arabia's Table Tennis Federation. Prince Fahad bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed represented Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Khalfan Belhoul and Saeed Hareb from Dubai Sports Council also participated.
During the ceremony, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor honoured Shakhnoza Shavkatovna Mirziyoyeva for her contributions to disability sports. She is First Deputy Director of Uzbekistan’s National Agency for Social Protection and daughter of Uzbekistan’s President. Her efforts in promoting youth initiatives in Asia received high praise.
The Games feature athletes competing in athletics, swimming, boccia, powerlifting, table tennis, archery, goalball, badminton, wheelchair basketball, arm wrestling, and taekwondo. A parade showcased athletes carrying their national flags followed by a video celebrating their spirit and determination. Artificial intelligence has been integrated into event operations to enhance organisation.
Thani Jumaa Al-Riqad, Chairman of the Organising Committee, expressed gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Mansoor for his support. He praised young athletes for representing the future of Asian Paralympics and highlighted Dubai’s role as a leading sports hub for people with disabilities.
Cultural Highlights
The ceremony included a cultural showcase featuring Emirati artist Eyadah Al Menhali performing a song by poet Ali Al Khowar celebrating athlete achievements. The anthem of the Asian Paralympic Committee was sung before athlete representative Mohammed Khalid Taleb and referee Tariq Al Ali took an oath affirming integrity and respect.
Majid Al-Otaibi from the Asian Paralympic Committee noted that this edition is the largest in history with 1,500 participants from 35 countries. He praised innovative AI use in event management as a forward-thinking approach to sports for people with disabilities.
The evening ended with gratitude expressed to all involved parties. It was affirmed that young Asian Paralympic athletes' journey began in Dubai marked by ambition and excellence. The Games serve as a crucial platform for nurturing emerging talent on the continent.
With inputs from WAM
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