The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) today announced that the fifth Asian Youth Para Games will take place in Dubai, UAE from 7th – 14th December 2025.

Dubai first hosted the Asian Youth Para Games in 2017, and today’s news comes four months after the APC announced that the original host city of Tashkent was unable to go ahead with staging games, originally scheduled for October.

APC President Majid Rashed said: “The Asian Youth Para Games are a vital part of developing the Paralympic Movement in Asia. They give young athletes the chance to get their international classification and to test themselves in a prestigious multi-sport event. We are very grateful to His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Sports Council, and the Dubai Club for People of Determination for stepping up to ensure that the fifth edition of the games will go ahead. With their previous experience of hosting the event in 2017 and Dubai’s track record of hosting para-sports events, we are confident that the games will be a huge success.”

Four objectives have been set by the Local Organising Committee

•       Promote Inclusivity: Create a platform for young athletes with disabilities.

•       Inspire Youth: Encourage participation in sports among youth with disabilities.

•       Foster Regional Unity: Strengthen ties among Asian nations.

•       Showcase Dubai: Highlight Dubai’s world-class infrastructure and commitment to inclusivity.

30-40 countries are expected to send an estimated 1350 athletes to Dubai to compete in 10 sports. This will make them the biggest ever Asian Youth Para Games in terms of athlete numbers and countries attending.

The 10 sports that will feature are Para Athletics, Para Swimming, Para Powerlifting, Para Taekwondo, Para Archery, Para Table Tennis, Para Badminton, Wheelchair Basketball, Boccia, and Goalball.

The Dubai Club for People of Determination will be the venue for six of the 10 sports.