The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) has formalized two major collaborations through the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Emirates Sports Group (ESG) and the World Strongman International Union (WSM). These agreements represent a major step forward in promoting inclusive sports across Asia, reinforcing APC’s commitment to building accessible, sustainable, and impactful opportunities for para-athletes.
MoU with Emirates Sports Group
The MoU signed with Emirates Sports Group lays the foundation for a series of joint initiatives to boost para-sport development within the United Arab Emirates. One of the central objectives is the promotion of inclusion and accessibility in sports facilities. The partnership concrete actions include the official opening of a fully accessible ice rink in Dubai in September 2025, designed to host para-athletes and inclusive events.
As part of this collaboration, ESG and APC will co-organize a Sledge Hockey Tournament and explore the establishment of a Para Sports Academy. The academy would serve as a long-term project to support talent development, athlete training, and integrated programs tailored to the needs of people with an impairment.
The agreement also includes cooperation in the development of public education and awareness campaigns, the definition of competition formats for para-athletes, and engagement with national and international stakeholders to attract funding and sponsorships. A joint working group will be created to coordinate planning for the ice rink launch and the tournament, and monitor progress across all projects.
MoU with World Strongman International Union
Simultaneously, APC has entered into an agreement with the World Strongman International Union aimed at introducing and institutionalizing para-strongman sport across Asia. This discipline will be launched with the organization of the first-ever World Para-Strongman Championship for Wheelchair Athletes, scheduled to take place in the UAE.
The partnership will focus on establishing clear competition regulations, standardizing equipment and safety protocols, and developing athlete classification systems aligned with the broader Paralympic structure. The objective is to integrate para-strongman into national and regional sporting calendars.
Through this collaboration, APC and WSM will also promote para-strongman among youth, expand its reach to clubs and sports academies, and provide specialized training for coaches, judges, and event organizers. A joint working group will be tasked with designing regulations, approving competition formats, and ensuring a high level of organizational quality.
APC President Majid Rashed expressed his enthusiasm for the agreements:
“These partnerships are not just symbolic, they reflect a real shift in how we build inclusive, sustainable sports systems. Together with Emirates Sports Group and World Strongman, we are opening new doors for para-athletes and redefining what it means to participate, lead, and inspire through sport”.
