DUBAI, 12th January: Several world champions will be descending in Dubai for the Second Fazza International Para Archery Championship Dubai 2016 that will be held at the Dubai Club for the Disabled from  January 13th to 19th.
Among them is Joanna Frith from Great Britain who vows to bounce back after being hospitalized in Dubai after suffering a neck injury during training.
She is a member of Team GB which has brought the largest contingent of 14 athletes for the second edition of the Fazza International Para Archery Championship which has been recognized by the international governing body of the sport, World Archery, which is affiliated to the International Paralympic Committee.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council (DSC), it is organized and supervised by the Dubai Club for the Disabled with the support of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC) and in cooperation with DSC, General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare and the UAE Paralympic Committee.
 
The number of participating countries for the Second Fazza International Para Archery Championship has increased from eight to 15 countries, namely: Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, India, Iran, Iraq, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Great Britain, South Korea, Thailand and tournament hosts the UAE. There will be 50 athletes vying for honors in this competition, including 20 female archers.
Frith is the most high-profile athlete in Fazza International Para Archery Championship having held every W1 women's world record in para archery.
But the 54 year-old was laid low by a neck injury in Dubai and expressed her gratitude to the local organizing committee of the Fazza International Para Archery Championship for helping her recover.
“I was able to resume training because of the great care taken by the officials who got me the best treatment. My heartfelt thanks go to them for taking me to hospital and ensuring I get the best care. I promise to do my best to win medals,” said Frith after resuming training on  Tuesday (January 12th) morning.
She expected tough competition in the Fazza International Para Archery Championship since it has gained recognition by World Archery.
“This is a like a world class tournament. All the athletes are eager to make a good start to the year and carry forward ranking points in the road to Rio (Paralympics),” said Frith who was overwhelmed by the amazing hospitality on her first visit to Dubai.
 
Jessica Stretton, John Cavanagh and John Walker are the other top ranked para archers in Team GB who are using this Championship as a preparation for the Rio Paralympic Games.
“We wanted a camp in the winter time at home because it’s between zero and five degrees at home. We wanted to go where the sun is shining and where we can shoot outside. So it’s ideal to come here and shoot in the sunshine. The climate here is absolutely perfect here for archery,” said head coach of Archery GB team Michael Peart on they headed to Dubai having landed here on January 6.
“Really it’s a training camp to start the Paralympic year. The purpose is to get ready for summer that is coming. We have a European Championship in April, then a European Grand Prix in Holland, another Para Grand Prix in Czech Republic and then Rio in September,” said Peart who lauded the facilities in Dubai as world class.
“I’ve been totally impressed by how welcome everyone has made us feel and the facilities here, they have everything here for world class team preparation. I believe next week (Fazza International Para Archery Championship) will be a world class competition,” he added.