HER HIGHNESS SHEIKHA JAMEELA ATTENDS WORLD PARA TAEKWONDO EXCEPTIONAL MEETING
Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of World Para Taekwondo & Director General of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), participated in the exceptional meeting of the International Taekwondo Board hosted by the Russian capital, Moscow. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Taekwondo Championship, before the closing ceremony of the World Taekwondo Award.
The meeting discussed a set of items, the most important of which was the adoption of guidelines to develop an anti-discrimination policy that strengthens the International Federation of Taekwondo commitment to inclusion and tolerance in addition to developing member societies as a major strategic priority for Taekwondo International. By supporting the development of federations, International Taekwondo aspires to create a stronger environment for game growth at common people’s level and support the promotion of sports events.
The meeting also witnessed the selection of hosts for the Grand Prix series in light of the growing interest from cities all over the world. This came after adjusting the bidding process and making it more flexible to the needs of the hosting cities. The results of the evaluation of the new Taekwondo uniform and the moral charter, which were modified based on international best practices, were presented with the approaching Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 and the Paralympic Games.
In 2017, the International Federation of Taekwondo has appointed Her Highness Sheikha Jameela a Chairperson of the Board of Directors of World Para Taekwondo and gave her Membership of the International Taekwondo Council, to appreciate her role in advocating, including, and empowering persons with disabilities in every area of life including sports.
Her Highness Sheikha Jameela has always invited sports federations to support and encourage teams to qualify and participate in international competitions and increase their physical and mental fitness and capabilities of youth with disabilities through travel and contacting with other societies and cultures and participate in various championships and win advanced places.
Her Highness Sheikha Jameela has an outstanding leading role in sponsoring sports of persons with disabilities beginning by the establishment of Al Thiqa Club for the Handicapped in 1987. She encouraged students with disabilities to practice sports at a professional level. In 1989, she chaired the First Committee for Paralympic International. These efforts led to the participation of athletes with disabilities in the main local, regional, and international sports events and win colored medals.
Notably, Para Taekwondo has received wide attention, especially after its adoption as an official sport in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo for 2020 and Paris for 2024. This has led to an increase in the numbers of players of both sexes.