ID :
48802
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 06:46
Auther :

CABINET APPROVES RM4 MILLION FOR ASEAN PARA GAMES





PUTRAJAYA, March 3 (Bernama) -- The Asean Para Games to be hosted by
Malaysia from Aug 15-19 received a short in the arm when the cabinet allocated
RM4 million (US$1.08 million) for hosting the Games.

Malaysia were given the task to host the biannual multi-sport event for
athletes with physical disabilities, in view of SEA Games host Laos' inability
to organise the event due to lack of facilities, although traditionally the
Games are hosted by the country that hosted the SEA Games.

"The RM4 million allocation was approved by the cabinet recently and that
shows the government's initiative to promote the sports for athletes with
physical disabilities.

"We do not discriminate between sports for normal athletes and disabled
athletes," said Youth and Sports Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob at the pre-launch
of the Asean Para Games at Menara KBS, here Tuesday.

Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) President Zainal Abu Zarin who was also
present at the launch together with a number of elite paralympic athletes said
11 sports would be contested.

According to Zainal, among the sports included are athletics, swimming,
badminton, table tennis, powerlifting, chess, bowling, sailing, wheel chair
tennis, wheel chair basketball and volleyball (sitting).

Ismail Sabri said a number of sports could not be included due to a minimum
requirement rule set by the Asean Para Sports Federation (APSF).

"According to the APSF requirement, if a sport was to be included, at least
four countries must participate," he said.

He added that though the Ministry or MPC have not set any specific medal
target for the Games, Malaysia are certain to face stiff competition from
defending champion, Thailand.

In the 2008 Korat Para Games, held in Thailand after the SEA Games, the
Malaysian contingent comprising 180 athletes managed second placing in the
overall medal tally with 81 gold, 74 silver and 46 bronze behind Thailand who
collected 256 gold, 109 silver and 84 bronze medals.
-- BERNAMA



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