RI TO HOST ASEAN PARA GAMES IN 2011

Kuala Lumpur, Aug 20 (ANTARA) - Indonesia will host the Sixth ASEAN Para Games in Bandung and Semarang in 2011, Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Da'i Bachtiar said.

The Indonesian ambassador officially received the ASEAN Para Games flag from Malaysian Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Ahmad Shabery Cheek on Wednesday night.

Ahmad Shabery Cheek was handing over the flag after the closing of the fifth ASEAN Para Games held at the Bukit Jalil stadium, Selangor.

After receiving the flag, Bachtiar who is also former Indonesian national police chief, handed the flag further to Benny Poltak Marbun, organizer of the Indonesian disabled athletes.

On his wheel chair, Marbun raised over his head the flag after he received it from Bachtiar, which was welcomed with applause from the audience.

The function was also attended by Jeanne Abdullah, wife of former Malaysian prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in her capacity as the chief patron of Malaysian disabled athletes.

Minister Shabery Cheek said on the occasion that the Malaysian people were able to witness the 8th world wonder after seeing the fighting spirit of disabled athletes to win the contest.

The fifth Asean Para Games in Malaysia last from August 15 to 19 2009.

"If there are seven wonders of the world, then the 8th wonder is the Asean Para Games," he said.

The general champion of the 5th Asean Para Games in Malaysia is Thailand, followed by Malaysia and Vietnam.

Thailand grabbed 157 gold medals, 75 silvers and 57 bronzes. Malaysia won 94 golds, 81 silvers and 71 bronzes while Vietnam took home 73 golds, 57 silvers and 45 bronzes.