Dubai further cemented its position as a global center for inclusive sports this week as His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, officially inaugurated the Asian Youth Paralympic Games – Dubai 2025. Running from December 10 to 13 across eight world-class venues, this landmark event, the largest edition in the competition’s history, features 1,500 athletes from 35 nations competing in 11 sports, underscoring the city’s commitment to excellence and innovation in disability sports.
The spectacular opening ceremony, held at the Dubai Club for People of Determination, marked a significant moment for aspiring Asian Paralympic athletes. The 2025 Games build on the momentum of Dubai’s successful hosting of the same event in 2017, reinforcing the emirate’s capability to deliver major international sporting showcases.
Honoring Global Contributions and Embracing Technology
During the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor honored Her Excellency Shakhnoza Shavkatovna Mirziyoyeva, First Deputy Director of Uzbekistan’s National Agency for Social Protection and First Deputy Chairperson of the National Paralympic Committee of Uzbekistan. The recognition celebrated her substantial contributions to promoting and supporting sports for people with disabilities across Asia, particularly through youth development initiatives.
A key highlight of the event’s operational framework is the extensive integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into event organization and management. This innovative approach reflects Dubai and the Asian Paralympic Committee’s forward-looking strategy for enhancing efficiency and accessibility in major competitions.
The Games feature a diverse roster of 11 sports, including athletics, swimming, boccia, powerlifting, table tennis, archery, goalball, badminton, wheelchair basketball, arm wrestling, and taekwondo. The opening procession showcased athletes carrying their respective national flags, emphasizing unity and the spirit of competition, followed by artistic performances, including a tribute by Emirati artist Eyadah Al Menhali, celebrating the athletes’ determination.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Paralympic Talent
The gathering drew numerous high-profile attendees, including His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, and senior officials from the Community Development Authority in Dubai. International representation included Her Excellency Dato Sri Hajjah Fatimah Abdullah, Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development for Sarawak, Malaysia, and several prominent leaders from Asian and Arab sporting federations.
His Excellency Majid Al Usaimi, President of the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), praised the unprecedented scale of the event. He noted that the participation of 1,500 athletes from 35 countries makes Dubai 2025 the largest edition ever. He also commended the bold use of AI, calling it a demonstration of a progressive approach to sports for people of determination.
His Excellency Thani Jumaa Al-Riqad, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, expressed gratitude for the royal patronage and highlighted the swift execution of the event planning. Al-Riqad noted that organizing the Games within a condensed timeframe was not a challenge, but rather a profound motivation to deliver an event centered on energy, hope, and ambition, further solidifying Dubai’s reputation as a world-leading hub for adaptive sports.
The ceremony concluded with the official oath, taken by athlete representative Mohammed Khalid Taleb and referee Tariq Al Ali, reaffirming the principles of integrity and respect guiding the competition. By providing this platform, Dubai aims to nurture a brighter future and shape the careers of emerging Paralympic talent across the continent.