The Asian Paralympic movement took a meaningful step forward in inclusive sports technology as Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) President, H.E. Majid Rashed gifted HUAWEI Watch GT6 watches that come with a wheelchair mode to a group of Asian Para athletes. This initiative reinforces APC’s commitment to athlete empowerment, health, and active lifestyles across the continent.
The move traces back to a regular meeting in Dubai, where Rashed engaged with representatives from Huawei and shared a forward-thinking idea: a dedicated wheelchair mode within a smartwatch that could better support wheelchair users in monitoring activity and health.
Embracing the vision, Huawei invited the APC President to its headquarters to demonstrate how the concept had been successfully developed and integrated into its wearable technology.
The innovative feature was officially announced during GITEX Global held from 13 to 17 October 2025 in Dubai, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of inclusive sports technology. Following the launch, President Rashed ensured the innovation reaches those it was designed for.
As part of the APC’s ongoing efforts to support athletes beyond the field of play, the wheelchair mode was presented to athletes from NPCs of Chinese Taipei, India, Japan, Kuwait, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and the UAE. The smartwatch enables users to track wheelchair pushes, monitor activity levels, heart rate, and overall performance data encouraging an active and informed approach to both training and everyday life.
“When we first discussed this idea, it came from a simple belief – technology should recognise and respect the movement of wheelchair users just as it does for everyone else,” said Rashed.
“Our athletes dedicate themselves to excellence every single day. They train hard, they push their limits, and they represent their countries with pride. They deserve tools that truly understand their effort and support their health.”
“This initiative reflects our belief that innovation must serve inclusion.”
“For wheelchair athletes, being able to track pushes and monitor their health is important not only for performance, but also for preventing injuries and maintaining long-term wellbeing. Technology like this empowers athletes to take greater control of their training and daily health,” the APC President added.
Commenting on the launch of the wheelchair mode earlier, Bruce Li, President of Huawei Consumer Business Group in the Middle East and Africa said: “At Huawei, we believe that technology should empower everyone and our commitment to people of determination drives us to develop inclusive innovations that make everyday life smarter, healthier, and more connected for all. Huawei is proud to deliver a feature that embodies our belief in innovation for all. This marks a new frontier in wearable tech, borne from collaboration and a vision to make health solutions inclusive.”
Tarek Souei, Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Paralympic Committee, Head of Delegations and officials of the seven NPCs were also present on the occasion.
The initiative highlights the Asian Paralympic Committee’s ongoing commitment to supporting Para athletes across Asia, not just by creating competition opportunities, but also by providing practical, innovative solutions that make training, health, and daily life better for them.
