MANILA — The 9th edition of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Games will be the biggest in the history of the tournament with 16 sports and 380 events.
An estimated 2,500 athletes and officials are expected to participate in the biennial tournament, which will take place on Sept. 17-23 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Malaysia Organizing Commission (MASOC) officials, led by chief executive officer Dato Seri Zolkples Embong, met with the heads of delegations from 11 countries during the Chef de Mission seminar held at the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel last February 27.
The chefs de mission, which included Gerardo “Ral” Rosario from the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently-Abled (PHILSPADA), were updated on the preparation for the tournament and were also given a tour of the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center (MITEC) and the Kuala Lumpur Sports City in Bukit Jalil, where most of the sports will be held.
Also discussed were the billeting of athletes and officials, events/entries and schedule of games, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.
Dato Zolkples Embong has assured the chefs de mission of a memorable experience during the Games, which will be held in Malaysia for the third time. Malaysia hosted the Games in 2001 and 2009.
The MASOC chief said the total number of participants in the ASEAN Para Games will be determined by July, the deadline for submission of entries by name.
Joining the chefs de missions in the seminar were ASEAN Para Sports Federation president Maj. Gen. Osoth Bhavilai, MASOC chief operation officer Shaiful Subhan, and Paralympic Council of Malaysia deputy president John Ng.
The ASEAN Para Games is a multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities. It is held after every Southeast Asian Games. Malaysia won the overall championship when it hosted the inaugural Games in 2001. Thailand was overall champion, winning six times, while Indonesia ruled the 2014 edition in Myanmar. PNA-northboundasia.com