Arizona Disabled Sports Announces Desert Challenge Games

Desert Challenge Games, a multi-day, multi-sport competition for athletes with disabilities, will be held on May 17 - 19, 2013 in Mesa, AZ at Red Mountain High School, Skyline Aquatic Center and Usery Mountain Archery Range. 

The Desert Challenge Games are a multi-day competition for individuals with a physical disability.  The track and field event will be one of six to become part of the 2013 IPC Athletics Grand Prix.  The aim of the Grand Prix is to provide high level international competition in Track and Field, while supporting local organizing committees and providing pillars of excellent to support development in areas such as classification, education, research and anti-doping.

 Events:

• National and International Classification

• Track & Field - this track is FAST!

• Swimming

• Archery

 Volunteer Sign Up: Arizona Disabled Sports is currently recruiting over 100 volunteers for the three-day event.

About Arizona Disabled Sports: Desert Challenge Regional Games began in the early 1980’s with a small group of track athletes from AzDS competing against track athletes from Tucson, AZ. In 1990, Desert Challenge Regional Games grew to include swimming and weightlifting. In 1991, Desert Challenge was held at Arizona State University and was the Far West Regional qualifying event. Desert Challenge competition grew again to include Archery, Table Tennis and Rifle Shoot. In 1997, 2004 and 2012, the Desert Challenge organizing committee hosted Junior Nationals.  The Desert Challenge organizing committee also hosted the 2008 Paralympic Track and Field Trials.

The host organization of the Desert Challenge Games is Arizona Disabled Sports (AzDS). AzDS is the leading organization in Arizona that provides athletic opportunities for individuals with all types of disability. There are approximately 1,200 athletes as young as six years old living throughout Arizona participating in 30 adaptive programs hosted by AzDS. Visit the organization web site for further details - www.arizonadisabledsports.com.