Dubai has become the epicenter of elite para athletics as the 17th Fazza International Para Athletics Championships commences, marking the inaugural Grand Prix event of the 2026 season. Under the esteemed patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this prestigious competition brings together 500 elite athletes representing 56 nations at the Dubai Club for People of Determination grounds from February 10-13, 2026.
The championship serves as a critical qualifying platform for major international events throughout the 2026 athletic calendar, including the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in July and the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games in October. Athletes are competing to achieve minimum qualification standards that will secure their participation in these premier competitions.
India has deployed its strongest contingent featuring 50 elite competitors, including reigning Paris 2024 Paralympic champions Sumit Antil (F64 javelin) and Navdeep (F41 javelin), alongside two-time Paris 2024 medalist Preeti Pal and Simran, bronze medalist in women’s 200m T12.
European representation is highlighted by Belgium’s Maxime Carabin, a two-time Paris 2024 Paralympic champion and five-time world champion who secured three gold medals at the Kobe 2024 World Championships. Canada’s Austin Smeenk, gold medalist in men’s 800m T34 and bronze medalist in men’s 100m T34 at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, adds further international star power to the competition.
The host nation UAE fields 65 athletes, including several Paralympic medalists. Young standout Mohammed Youssef Othman, bronze medalist at the New Delhi World Championships, leads the home team’s track events. The women’s campaign features Rio 2016 medalists Sara Aljeneibi (women’s shot put F33), Noura Alktebi (women’s shot put F32), and Kobe 2024 world champion Maryam Alzeyoudi (women’s shot put F40).
Othman expressed his aspirations ahead of the competition: ‘My preparations have been optimal for the new season. I aim to deliver a powerful performance at our home event and maintain momentum throughout the competitive season, with the Asian Para Games representing my primary objective.’
The championship will be streamed live globally through the Dubai Club for People of Determination’s official YouTube and Facebook channels, ensuring worldwide accessibility to these elite athletic performances.