Dubai to host 2019 World Para Athletics Championships

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, will host the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships from 7-15 November next year, World Para Athletics has announced.

The championships will take place at the new athletics stadium of the Dubai Club for People of Determination and will be run under the patronage of Crown Prince of Dubai, HH Sheikh Hamdane Almaktoum.

The World Championships will not only be the pinnacle of the Para athletics season in 2019, but will also act as the last major opportunity for athletes to gain slots for their National Paralympic Committees for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. More than 1,300 athletes from more than 100 countries are expected to take part in the competition.

International Paralympic Committee Summer Sports Director Ryan Montgomery said:

“We are very honoured to announce Dubai as the host city of the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships. It is great to have the event back in Asia less than one year before the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Dubai and the UAE have been very important partners of the Paralympic Movement for a long time and we have full confidence that Dubai will exceed our expectations.

“With the support of the Local Organising Committee, we will build once again on the success of previous editions by enhancing our TV and social media audiences, increasing our education programmes and furthering our anti-doping initiatives. We want athletes to have the best possible environment to achieve their goals.”

Mr Majid Rashed, CEO of the Dubai Club for People of Determination said:

“We are honoured to be trusted with such a prestigious event within the world of Para sport and are looking forward to welcoming the world to Dubai. As a club and as emirate, we have a long tradition within our organisation of delivering world class sporting events. We will build on what we have learned from hosting the Para Athletics Asia-Oceania Championships and our annual World Para Athletics Grand Prix, ensuring that this championship builds on the success of previous editions and the athletes inspire the world.”

International Paralympic Committee Governing Board Member and United Arab Emirates NPC President Mohammed Al Hameli said:

“We are very proud to have Dubai and the United Arab Emirates hosting for the first time the World Para Athletics Championships. It is an amazing opportunity to showcase the development of Para sports in Dubai and in our country. The participating nations and their athletes will find world class facilities to be able to perform at their best. It will also be a great opportunity for the people of UAE and the citizens of Dubai to watch some of the world’s best athletes in action.”

This will be the ninth edition of the World Para Athletics Championships. The latest championships were held in London, Great Britain, with more than 1,150 athletes from 90 countries competing at the London Stadium, venue of the 2012 Paralympic Games.