The nation will send a record 18 contenders to the sporting extravaganza from September 7-18, an increase of three slots from

Hopes of bettering Sergiu Toma’s judo bronze from the Olympics in Brazil are high, with gold-winning powerlifter Mohammed Khamis from Athens 2004 and reigning mixed R6-50M air rifle prone SH1 shooting champion Abdullah Sultan Al Aryani in their ranks.

“The Paralympics is the dream of every para athlete,” said Al Hameli at an event last night at Dubai Club for the Disabled celebrating the sponsorships of Etisalat, NBAD, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Borealis, ADNOC and Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

“As the UAE we will participate in three areas – shooting, powerlifting and athletics.

“We hope our boys and girl can do something and achieve their dreams through this participation.

“The UAE has previously secured some medals.

“At London 2012, we had gold in the shooting and (Mohammed Al Qaid’s) silvers and bronze in the (200m and 100m) wheelchair racing.

“We have these champions coming with us and we hope we can repeat these achievements.

“We hope other players will also have the chance to meet their dreams in Rio.

“We have 18 competitors coming with us to Rio and this is the largest team we have ever taken to a Paralympics in the history of the UAE.”

The UAE head to South America confident they can better their haul of a gold, silver and bronze medal from London. Central to this is powerlifting veteran Khamis, who will be travelling to his fifth Games.

A late injury in 2012 denied the 46-year-old the chance to add to his top spot on the podium from Greece and runners-up slot at Beijing 2008. Now competing in the up to 88kg category, he was confident of more success.

“The challenge is very big and this is the most powerful event,” Khamis said. “But I have prepared myself very well and I hope to be one of the top powerlifters.”