Paralympic powerlifter Khamis met with Sheikh Mansoor at a reception, also attended by Dubai Sports Council vice-chairman Mattar Al Tayer.

Secretary-general of the Council, Saaed Hareb and Majid Rashed, the current President of the Asian Paralympic Committee, were also present.

Sheikh Mansoor called Khamis an "extraordinary ambassador" for the UAE and said that the leadership in UAE Para-sport has provided athletes with unlimited financial and moral support.

He added that in response, athletes should respond to this support by winning championships and raising the nation's flag on the international stage.

Sheikh Mansoor also called on athletes to write their names in the country's sporting history and said that the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics is a good chance to seek glory.

Khamis thanked the Sheikh for meeting him and for his inspirational words and guidance.

The powerlifter confirmed that he and all his fellow athletes will work hard to raise their performance to the levels expected and to match the support given to them.

Rashed also thanked Sheikh Mansoor for his support of athletes and confirmed that Khamis and the rest of UAE's Athletes of Determination were training hard for upcoming events, including Tokyo 2020.

UAE's Athletes of Determination relates to those international athletes who compete at global competitions, such as the Paralympics and the Olympics,  for the country.

Khamis won the Paralympic gold medal in the 82.5 kilogram category at Athens 2004 and then in the 88kg at Rio 2016, as well as silver at Beijing 2008 in the 90kg category.