The news was announced at a press conference on the sidelines of Sportex Middle East, a Congress event for sports, fitness, health and leisure currently being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Among those in attendance were IWAS executive director and secretary general Maura Strange, Dubai Special Needs Club president Thani Juma Belreqad, UAE Federation for Special Needs vice-president Tariq Sultan Bin Khadim and Dr Ahmad Sa'ad Al Sharif, secretary general of Dubai Sports Council.

The competition will be staged from April 14-21 at the Dubai Police Officers Club as well as the Dubai Special Needs Club in Al Ghusais.

There was also a further boost as Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, chief executive of Falaknaz Group, revealed he will sponsor next year's week-long competition.

The 2010 IWAS World Junior Games were held in the Czech Republic and brought together 270 athletes from 23 countries participating in athletics and swimming.

Next year's competition has already taken a step higher with more than 600 participants from at least 40 countries expected to take part in table tennis, weightlifting and track and field.

Poland topped the medal table at the 2010 Games ahead of Germany and Britain respectively with an astonishing total of 65, including 32 gold, and will be looking to do the same in Dubai.

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