Bonn, Germany - Today, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced that Hassan Ali Bin Ali, Chairperson of the Shafallah Centre for Children with Special Needs and a leading Qatari business figure, has accepted the IPC’s invitation to become a member of the IPC Honorary Board.

Mr. Ali Bin Ali will join existing members, including HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, HRH Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxemburg, HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, Soprano Maria Guleghina, former World Bank President James Wolfensohn, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan and business woman and lifelong Paralympic sport supporter Thérèse Rein as an ambassador for the Paralympic Movement. He will be effectively helping the IPC to disseminate the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality to an ever-expanding audience.

Amongst other guests and high officials, Mr. Ali Bin Ali attended the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and visited several competitions.

Said Mr. Ali Bin Ali: "I am honoured to be part of this distinguished board which serves a great purpose of raising public awareness and funding for the Paralympic Movement. I would like to thank Sir Philip and his Board for giving me the opportunity to participate in a movement that ensures the issue of sports for people with a disability is high on the agenda of every country."

”Mr. Ali Bin Ali is already actively involved in Paralympic sport, leading the way in developing purpose built facilities for athletes with a disability. I am delighted that he will be part of our family and help us to develop the Paralympic Movement”, said Sir Philip Craven, IPC President.

The IPC, as the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement, decided in 2003 to create an Honorary Board to allow leaders of society an opportunity to support the vision of the Paralympic Movement. The goal is to strive in keeping the issue of Paralympic Sport high on the agenda of the global community. Honorary Board Members assist the IPC in creating opportunities for raising awareness and funding, through the Member’s network of contacts and sphere of influence.

__________

 

Notes to the Editor:

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

Founded on 22 September 1989, the IPC is an international non-profit organization formed and run by 162 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific international sports federations (IOSDs). The IPC Headquarters and its management team are located in Bonn, Germany.

For further information, please contact Steffi Klein, IPC Media and Communications Senior Manager, on e-mail: steffi.klein@paralympic.org or go to www.paralympic.org and www.ParalympicSport.TV.