HER

HER HIGHNESS SHEIKHA JAMEELA CHAIRS WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO MEETING

Feb 13, 2019

Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of World Para Taekwondo & Director General of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), has confirmed that the Para Taekwondo sport contributes to the full integration of athletes with disabilities into society.  It gives them an opportunity to participate in a variety of tournaments that suits their potentials and capabilities.

She asked sports’ federations locally and regionally to support and encourage teams to qualify and participate in international competitions.  They must improve the physical and mental abilities of youth with disabilities through traveling and training.  Those youngsters must take part in international tournaments and win good places.

Her Highness Sheikha Jameela gave this statement after her return from Antalya in the Republic of Turkey, where World Para Taekwondo Meeting took place. Her Highness Sheikha Jameela chaired the meeting of Board of Directors in the presence of World Para Taekwondo President Dr. Cho Koki.

The meeting discussed the annual reports of World Para Taekwondo and scheduled events for this year.  In addition, the meeting discussed the latest updates in regard of the work of technical committees and researches done to classify players and update the regulations to grant the safety of players and achieve the principle of equal opportunities within integration process. 

The meeting coincided with Para Taekwondo 8th Championship, which took place recently in Antalya in Turkey.  More than 333 players coming from 55 countries took part in this tournament.  It included poomse (Show Moves) for persons with mental disability and pierogi (Actual Combat) for persons with physical disability and amputation.

In recognition of her leadership in advocating, including, and empowering persons with disabilities in every area of life including sports, World Taekwondo Federation has assigned Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi since 2017 to chair the Board of Directors of World Para Taekwondo and the membership of International Taekwondo Council. Para Taekwondo has become an official game in Paralympics 2020 in Japan.

The General Director of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services has a leading role in sponsoring persons with disabilities sports beginning from establishing Al Thiqa Club for the Handicapped in May 1987.  She encouraged students to practice their hobbies in sports professionally.  In addition, she chaired the first Paralympics International in December 1989.  She contributed to athletes with disabilities participation in local, regional, and international tournaments and winning colored medals.

Certainly, the assigning was not restricted to Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services or Sharjah Emirate.  It reflects the great care of United Arab Emirates to persons with disabilities and its constant support for their right to education and integration into society. 

Notably, Para Taekwondo received great care especially after considering it an official game in the Paralympics 2020 in Japan and Paralympics 2024 in Paris.  This has resulted in the increase of the number of players from both genders.