The event is the first of nine which will take place over the course of the season, and 450 athletes from 45 countries are expected to compete at the 7th Fazaa International Athletics Competition.

Spectators will be hoping for a repeat of the same event last year which saw seven world and 22 regional records broken, with Tunisian world and Paralympic champion Walid Ktila leading the way by claiming three world records in the 200 metres, 400m and 800m T34 category.

Ktila will have to be on top form if he is to reign supreme once again as he faces strong competition from the likes of Stefan Rusch of The Netherlands, Switzerland's Bojan Mitic and home favourite Mohamed Hammadi.

A host of stellar names are due to be in action, with five-time World champion Marcel Hug of Switzerland one of the ones to watch out for after he triumphed in the 800m, 1500m and 5,000m at the same event last year.

Elsewhere, Russia's world and Paralympic champion Alexey Ashapatov will compete in three throwing events - the shot put, javelin and discus - but he also faces a tricky field, particularly in the discus as world silver medallist Samir Nabiyev of Azerbaijan and Paralympic bronze medallist Metawa Abouelkhir are both in the line-up.

Tunisian world and Paralympic champion Walid Ktila is one of the leading names who will compete in the opening IPC Athletics Grand Prix event of the season in Dubai ©Getty Images



The F32/33 shot put competition throws up a mouthwatering field as Algerian trio Kamel Kardjena, Karim Betina and Mounir Bakiri, who all claimed medals at the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships, are all involved.

Great Britain's teenage sensation Maria Lyle announced herself to the world at the event in Dubai last year by smashing the 200m T35 world record on what was her international debut, and she will be hoping for a repeat when she races this time around.

The T54 100m and 200m sees Kenny van Weeghel of The Netherlands resume a rivalry with Finland's Leo Pekka Tähti, and the bumper crowd expected to be in attendance will be treated to some excellent match-ups over the four days of competition.

The IPC Athletics Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious events of its kind over the year, consisting of nine events on five continents followed by a final set to take place in the summer on a date and at a venue yet to be announced. 

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