Guangzhou, South China, June 18 - About 3,000 athletes from 40 countries and regions will compete in the Guangzhou 2010 Para Games of Asia slated for December 12 to 19, 2010 in the Southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.

Guangzhou will host both the 16^th Asian Games and the 2010 Para Games of Asia, marking the first time the two Games to be held in one city.

The 2010 Para Games of Asia will feature 19 sports, including 17 Paralympic sports and two non-Paralympic sports.

The 17 Paralympic sports are Athletics, Swimming, Archery, Shooting, Boccia, Wheelchair Fencing, Power lifting, Judo, Goal Ball, Football 7-a-Side, Cycling, Wheelchair Tennis, Rowing, Table Tennis, Volleyball Sitting, Wheelchair Basketball and Football 5-a-Side.

The non-Paralympic sports will be Badminton and Bowling.

At the coordination meeting just concluded in Guangzhou, a decision was made that the number of disciplines under the 19 sports will not exceed 470.

Some 3,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions are expected to attend the Games, along with 2,000 team officials and approximately 1,100 technical officials.

It is anticipated that more than 2,000 journalists will cover the Games and 30,000 volunteers will be recruited. In addition, more than 300 VIPs from the Paralympic family will be invited.

There will be 26 venues for the Games, including 19 competition venues and seven training venues. These venues will be equally shared by both the 16^th Asian Games and the Para Games of Asia.

At the coordination meeting, representatives from the International Paralympic Committee, Asian Paralympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee of China, and international experts issued guidelines on the preparations for these Games. (完)