Former Middle East motor rally superstar Mohammed bin Sulayem, president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, has provided a personal sponsorship boost for the 11 athletes, two powerlifters and two shooters who will be competing in the Paralympics from August 29 to September 9. The 15-strong UAE team taking part in the London 2012 Paralympic Games have been given extra impetus by Sulayem, one of the country’s leading sports figures, as they look to secure one of their best medal hauls, a media release stated. The gesture by the record-breaking former rally star, who is now vice-president of FIA, motor sport’s world governing body, has been warmly welcomed by Mohammed Fadhel Al Hamly, president of the UAE Disabled Sports Federation. “We are very grateful to Mohammed for his backing,” said Al Hamly. “To have the support of an Emirati who has achieved so much in the international sporting arena gives the team an extra lift as they prepare for the Paralympics.” Sulayem, who is a regular supporter of organisations and events for the disabled, said: “I’m looking forward to seeing the UAE flag flying at the Paralympic Games, and I know our national team will do the country proud. They deserve the support of people like myself because sport has been so good to us.” Among the UAE’s top medal hopefuls are powerlifter Mohammed Khamis, gold medal winner at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, and Mohammed Al Hamadi, winner of two wheelchair racing golds and a silver medal at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, a qualifying event for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Making his third successive appearance in the Paralympics, Khamis also won a silver and two bronze medals in Athens, as well as another silver in Bejing in 2008. In Sharjah last year Al Hamadi won four golds and a silver in the IWAS (International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport Federation) World Games. The UAE team departs for London on August 1 to set up their training camp in the UK capital before switching to the Olympic Village on August 23 ready for the start of the games the following week. From khaleejtimes