Abu Dhabi (UAE) –
Mubadala Investment Company, an Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor, is once again lead partner for the UAE National Paralympic Committee (NPC), who will make history by representing the UAE at the highly-anticipated Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. The event in Tokyo from August 24 – September 5 coincides with the Committee’s Silver Jubilee, celebrating 25 years of athletic excellence for People of Determination. The national team will be competing in four sports: athletics, cycling, powerlifting and shooting.

Mubadala also sponsored the athletes who represented the UAE at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, with 18 formidable Emirati athletes winning a total of seven medals during the event, beating their own record of four medals at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. The renewed partnership will see Mubadala and the UAE NPC join forces once more to support the inspiring UAE Paralympians proudly represent their nation at local and international sports tournaments and workshops, including the Asian Youth Paragames in Bahrain, Para Athletics World Championships in Japan and Wheelchair Basketball World Championships in Dubai in 2022.

Homaid Al Shimmari, Deputy Group CEO, Chief Corporate & Human Capital Officer, said: “It gives us great pride to be the lead partner for the UAE NPC once again. At Mubadala, we prioritize partnerships that make positive lasting impact on our communities and that also encourage a healthy, balanced lifestyle. This important relationship aligns both with our vision as an organization and our core Mubadala values, which the athletes have continued to embody including integrity, accountability, partnership and inspiration.

Al Shimmari continued: “This relationship also amplifies our support for People of Determination within our organization and society. As we renew our strategic partnership with the UAE NPC, we are reinforcing our commitment towards diversity and inclusion, in addition to helping each athlete realize a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. We wish all of our outstanding athletes the best of luck at this year’s Tokyo Paralympics, and we are proud to stand by them as role models for us all.”

Mohammed Fadel Al Hameli, Chairman of the UAE National Paralympics Committee praised Mubadala’s unequivocal support of the UAE Paralympics. “As a leading UAE investor, Mubadala appreciates the importance of supporting the Paralympics and enabling our People of Determination to demonstrate their exceptional talent. By continuously backing the UAE Paralympic teams, even during these tough times underlined by the Covid-19 pandemic, Mubadala has set an example of an investor committed to supporting our medium and long-term objectives of enabling our heroes of determination to rise to the top ranks of the world’s athletes.”

Ayesha Almehairi, a Paralympic athlete, commented: “I feel proud and honored that I am among the first Emirati women to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympics, representing my country and People of Determination. By participating in the women's shooting event, I will contribute to breaking barriers for diversity and inclusion in the UAE and the world. I’m grateful to Mubadala for supporting the NPC and helping me reach my full potential as part of a life-long dream.”