With the ultimate goal of improving their medal tally, the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) has signed a two-year partnership with bank Emirates NBD.

Mohammad Al Hameli, chairperson of the UAE Paralympic Committee, is delighted with the news.

"In recent years, we have worked very hard to raise the Paralympic movement in the UAE to a higher level, as evidenced by participation and success at recent championships.

"I would like to thank Emirates NBD for their support, which will not only provide valuable funding for our elite athletes but also contribute to a schedule of community engagement activities to increase sporting opportunities for all individuals with physical disabilities."

Fuad Shaiban, senior vice-president Emirates NBD, said: "The visionary leadership of the UAE believes in the culture of willpower and determination and Emirates NBD shares this vision to make the impossible possible.

"We hope to witness UAE Paralympic history in Tokyo next year, but our greatest wish is to continue the advancement of opportunities for people of determination, and to celebrate inclusivity in our society."

At previous Paralympics, UAE won three medals at London 2012, but improved on that to seven at Rio de Janeiro 2016.

The profile of Para-sport is set to increase later this year, when the UAE hosts the World Para Athletics Championship from November 7-15.

More than 1,300 athletes from over 100 countries will participate at the new athletics stadium of the Dubai Club for People of Determination under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

"The UAE continues to make great progress as a force in the international Paralympic movement," said powerlifting gold medallist Mohammed Khamis Khalaf.

Emirates NBD join two other partners of the National Paralympic Committee: Mubadala and Borealis.