Dubai Gears Up for Thrilling 2025 Asian Para Youth Games, Officially Opened by Mansoor bin Mohammed

Dubai has officially opened the Asian Youth Para Games 2025, marking the largest Paralympic youth competition in the region's history. The four-day event brings together 1,500 athletes from 35 countries competing across 11 sports at eight world-class venues. This marks Dubai's second time hosting the games, building on their successful 2017 edition.

Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the UAE National Olympic Committee and Dubai Sports Council, inaugurated the games at Dubai Club for People of Determination. The opening ceremony drew high-profile attendees including UAE Sports Minister Dr. Ahmed Balhoul Al Falasi, Malaysian officials, and representatives from Paralympic committees across Asia.

The games feature a comprehensive range of Paralympic sports: athletics, swimming, boccia, powerlifting, table tennis, archery, goalball, badminton, wheelchair basketball, arm wrestling, and taekwondo. What sets this edition apart is the central role of artificial intelligence in operations and organization, marking a first for Paralympic youth competitions in the region.

During the ceremony, Sheikh Mansour honored Shakhnoza Shavkatovna Mirziyoyeva, Uzbekistan's Deputy Director of the National Agency for Social Protection and daughter of Uzbekistan's president, recognizing her contributions to Paralympic sports development.

Thani Juma Balraqad, head of the organizing committee, emphasized Dubai's decades-long commitment to Paralympic sports, noting the city has hosted major international competitions since 1998. He highlighted how organizing this edition within a short timeframe demonstrated Dubai's capability and dedication to the Paralympic movement.

Majid Al Usaimi, President of the Asian Paralympic Committee, called the Dubai 2025 games the largest in Asian Youth Para Games history. He praised the integration of AI technology and noted the first-ever use of robots in an opening ceremony, calling it a bold step toward the future of Paralympic sports.

The ceremony included traditional Emirati cultural performances by artist Aida Al Menhali, featuring specially commissioned works by poet Ali Al Khawar. Athletes and officials took formal oaths committing to integrity and respect, while national delegations paraded with their flags.

For Dubai, hosting these games reinforces its position as a global hub for Paralympic excellence. The emirate has consistently invested in world-class facilities and inclusive sports programs, making it a natural choice for major international competitions. The success of this event could influence future Paralympic hosting decisions across the Middle East and Asia.

The competition runs through December 13, with results likely to shape the next generation of Asian Paralympic talent heading toward future international competitions.