The event, which runs through to Tuesday (March 27), will offer Para-shooters the first chance of glory in 2018.

It is the third successive year where the World Cup season has got underway at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.

China's Zhang Cuiping is poised to make her eagerly-anticipated return to competition after she missed the entirety of the 2017 campaign.

The multiple Paralympic medallist will take on rival Veronika Vadovicova of Slovakia for the first time in over 12 months during the event in Al Ain.

America's McKenna Dahl, a bronze medallist at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, is also expected to challenge for titles in the Emirati city.

Para trap will feature alongside rifle and pistol events for the first time.

Para trap was officially added as a World Shooting Para Sport in May, with a first World Cup for the discipline taking place in Lonato during September.

"We are especially thrilled to take advantage of Al Ain’s world-class shotgun range,” Tyler Anderson, World Shooting Para sport manager, said. 

“With Para trap now part of the federation’s family, it is important we continue integrating the discipline into our events and give athletes as many opportunities to compete.”

The event will also help athletes prepare for the World Shooting Para Sport Championships in Cheongju, South Korea.

It will offer shooters the final chance to earn minimum qualifying score points in 25 metres and 50m events before the Championships, which are scheduled to take place from May 1 to 12.

The Championships will offer 300 shooters from 60 countries their first chance to earn quota places for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.