UAE qualify for semi-finals at Fazza International Wheelchair Basketball

DUBAI- Hosts UAE put up a strong fight against Iraq in Day 3 of the 6^th Fazza International Wheelchair Basketball – IWBF West Asian Championship 2014 at the Al Ahli Club in Dubai, but were no match for Iraq, who displayed superior tactical skill (69-32).

The UAE has won two games so far and have already earned a spot in the semi-finals due to take place on 13 May 2014. They are now hoping they can beat the qualifying team to take the country to the Asian Paralympic Games in Incheon later this year.

The 6^th Fazza International Wheelchair Basketball – IWBF West Asian Championship is organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center and the Dubai Club for the Disabled under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and is part of the IWBF West Asian Championship this year.

Thani Juma Berregad, Chairman of the Dubai Club for the Disabled and head of the organising committee for the Fazza Championships for the Disabled said: “This is an initial set back for the UAE. The team has played extremely well over the course of the first few days, but Iraq was the stronger team today. Three teams will qualify for the Asian Paralympic Games in Incheon later this year and we are glad the UAE’s chances are still high.”

A total of 170 athletes and officials from eight countries are participating in the Championship including host nation the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Ibrahim Abdul Rahim, director of events at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center said: “Participating in this Championship is more important than winning and we would like to congratulate the teams that have displayed immense charisma and passion for the sport. We wish all players the very best and hope the strongest teams earn a spot at the Asian Paralympic Games in South Korea later this year.”

Dr. Ahmed Saad Alsharif – Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, Chairman of Dubai sports council added: “We thank Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council for providing extraordinary support towards sports for the disabled. The UAE has focused on developing wheelchair basketball in the country since the past two years and the results are paying off today.

“The UAE is also known to be one of the few countries in the region that organise international level championships of this size and the national team’s enthusiasm and passion for wheelchair basketball is evident. Despite being a young team, they have displayed an encouraging level of maturity and skill. We wish them all the best for the rest of the tournament.”

Results:

KSA beats Palestine 73 -30

Syria beats Palestine 54 – 36

Oman beats 49-41

UAE beats Iraq 69 – 32