APSF Calls On Members To Remain Steadfast Despite 2020 Asean Para Games Deferment

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- The postponement of the 10th edition of the ASEAN Para Games initially slated for Jan 18- 24 ​to March 20-28 next year in the Philippines should not be seen as a major setback for the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) members. Instead, APSF president Maj Gen Osoth Bhavillai has called on all its members to continue their support and rise together to ensure the successful staging of the biennial games for the disabled athletes. “The region awaits in great anticipation the action ​and achievement ​of our athletes who never fail and will continue to inspire us. ​​In the true spirit of ASEAN Moving Together, let's us forge ahead into the New Year with renewed​ sense and​ purpose as we seek to overcome greater challenges ahead of us in the new decade,” he was quoted as saying in his New Year’s message which was posted in the APSF Facebook page Tuesday. Bhavillai, who is also the Thailand National Paralympic Committee secretary-general, said since its establishment back on Oct 25, 2001, APSF has remained steadfast and vigilant in fulfilling its mission of empowering Paralympic movement amongst its members. In fact, he said APSF and its members have strived hard towards the mainstreaming of Paralympic sports and movement in the development agenda of all ASEAN countries for the past 19 years. The ASEAN Para Games took place thrice in Kuala Lumpur, namely in 2001, 2009 and 2017; Hanoi, Vietnam (2003); Manila, Philippines (2005), Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand (2008), Solo, Indonesia (2011), Naypidaw, Myanmar (2014) and Singapore (2015). On Dec 20, APSF announced that the 2020 ASEAN Para Games had been postponed from Jan to March 2020 following the financial constraint and disbursement of funds from the Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) to the Philippines ASEAN Para Games Organising Committee (PHILAPGOC). Following the announcement, Malaysian Paralympics Council (MPC) reportedly sent a letter of protest to the Philippines Paralympics Committee. -- BERNAMA