KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- The Asian Paralympics Council (APC) has been given the mandate to conduct licensing for three sports on behalf of the International Paralympics Committee (IPC) during the duration of the 5th Asean Para Games here from Aug 15 to 19.

APC president Datuk Zainal Abu Zarin said the three sports were weightlifting, athletics and swimming.

"This means para-athletes who have still not registered to score points for world ranking purposes can now do so through the APC secretariat in Kuala Lumpur," he told Bernama when accompanying Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek on a visit the Games venue in Bukit Jalil here today. Also present was Malaysia's Chef-de-Mission to the Games, Datuk Fathul Razi Bakri.

Zainal, who is also the Malaysian Paralympics Council (MPM) president, said he was informed of this by the IPC though a telephone call yesterday and was proud of the confidence shown by IPC on its Asian affiliate, which is headed by Malaysia.

On Malaysia's preparations for the Games, Fathul said the national athletes were in very high spirits and were looking forward to bring glory for the nation.

He added that MPM was working closely with the Health Ministry and several other government agencies in taking precautionary measures to keep Influenza A (H1N1) at bay so as not to jeopardise the Games.

(The End)