DUBAI, 21 November 2015: The organising committee of the Fazza Championship for the Disabled and Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) announced at the press conference held on 17 November 2015 at Grand Hyatt a season full of competition, which will run throughout the year from January to December.

The highlight is the launch of two new competitions that are Bowling for the deaf and Special Olympics for the Disabled increasing the number of championships to 10.

The organising committee of the Fazza Championship for the Disabled revealed the schedule of championships for 2016 at the press conference.

The 2nd Fazza International Para Archery Championship will kick-off the Fazza Championship for the Disabled from 13 to 19 January.

This will be followed by the Fazza National Athletics Championship for the Disabled from 28 to 30 January.

The 7th Fazza IPC (International Paralympic Committee) Powerlifting World Cup will be held from 12 to 20 February.

The 8th Fazza IPC Athletics Championship - Grand Prix Dubai 2016 will be held from 15 to 22 March.

The 3rd Fazza International Boccia Championship will be held from 6 to 13 April.

The 8th Fazza International Wheelchair Basketball Championship will be held from 11 to 20 May.

The second phase of the Fazza National Athletics Championship for Disabled will be held from 6 to 8 October followed by the third phase from 13 to 15 October.

The 1st Fazza International Special Olympics Championships will be held from 9 to 16 November.

The season concludes with the 1st Fazza International Deaf Bowling Championships from 13 to 19 December 2016.

Ms Suad Ibrahim Darwish, Director of Championships at HHC, said: "I am satisfied with how we have prepared for this new season and the schedule for the Fazza Championships. Every year there are some new additions, which makes the Championships not only a celebration of culture but an opportunity to experience a 'one of a kind' model providing healthy competition between the different categories from the youth, junior, ladies to the elderly, in addition to people with disability.

"The Fazza Championships in general seek to upgrade the level of organization, in alliance with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

"As we embark on a new season, I'm proud we are raising the standards of this unique championships’ model to spearhead the race for excellence and to preserve UAE’s intangible heritage.

"All segments of the society are involved in this process of reviving the culture and heritage through the Fazza Championships, including the disabled who always get special attention from His Highness Crown Prince of Dubai."

His Excellency Thani Juma Berregad thanked His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, for his continuous support, directions and follow up which exemplifies the vision of the leadership.

He said: "Their care for the disabled actually contributes in increasing community awareness and changing the usual view about people with disabilities."

He also thanked His Excellency Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, CEO of Hamdan Heritage Center, the partner for the Dubai Club for the Disabled, who are organising this championships and plays a pivotal role in their success of organising the Fazza Championships for the Disabled.

HE Thani Juma Berregad added: "Now we kick-off the eighth season of the Fazza Championship for the Disabled with a big challenge and stronger will to host these new championships. Through these new championships we seek to excel and organize championships that are worthy of the status of Dubai. They are all driven by the directions of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. We are looking forward to expanding these championships by hosting new events to our schedule so that we can get international recognition from international governing bodies like Boccia and Archery.

"This season the organising committee has accredited two new international championships this season. They are Bowling for the deaf and the Special Olympics. Through these two championships we will attract countries from the Middle East and North Africa. We hope to succeed as we did before. This time our target is bigger. We are giving more grounds for our players to gain international exposure and raise their standards.

"The committee decided to conduct the Fazza National Championship in three phases so we can give more focus to the UAE athletes. Empowering them as the National Championships of Fazza are considered as a festive event for all sports people for the disabled. It is regarded as a great incentive for the UAE players to participate, improve their skills and keep the UAE flag flying high."

He said the Fazza Championships for the Disabled displayed the human face of the UAE since the care given to disabled is really a measure internationally to assess the level of civilization in any country.

"The Fazza Championship also plays a core role in building trust in the disabled and how others deal with them. Once they become achievers, they get attention and appreciation from everyone. This really represents the core value of these championships where these disabled people are regarded as champions. That Fazza Championship for the Disabled has become international should be attributed to the support of our partners who are actually the media. They play also a very visible role in enhancing and positioning and giving a great reputation to Dubai around the world," said HE Thani Juma Berregad.

The organising committee for the Fazza Championship for the Disabled comprises Mr. Majid Abdullah Al Usaimi, Championship Director; Mr. Mohammed Hassan Al Hammadi - Chairman of the Technical Committee; Mr. Hamad Beljafla, Head of Public Relations Committee; Dr Ebthisham Al Suweidi, Head of Media Committee; Ms Sana Al Blooshi, Head of Welfare Committee; and Mr. Hussain Al Abdullah, Head of the Volunteers Committee.

The Fazza Championships is held under the kind patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.

It is organized and supervised by the Dubai Club for the Disabled and Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center with the support of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare, Dubai Sports Council and the UAE Paralympic Committee.