PUTRAJAYA: The Asean Para Games to be hosted by Malaysia from Aug 15-19 received a short in the arm when the Cabinet allocated RM4mil for hosting the Games.
Malaysia were given the task to host the multi-sport event for athletes with physical disabilities because Laos were unable to organise it for lack of facilities. Traditionally, the hosts of the SEA Games also take the task to stage the Para Games.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said at the pre-launch of the Asean Para Games at Menara KBS, here yesterday:"The RM4mil 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."
The Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) president, Datuk Zainal Abu Zarin, who was also present at the launch together with a number of elite paralympic athletes said that the programme would have 11 sports.
Among the sports are athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, powerlifting, chess, bowling, sailing, wheel chair tennis, wheel chair basketball and volleyball (sitting).
Ismail Sabri added that the ministry or MPC had not set a medal target for the Malaysian contingent.
In the 2008 Korat Para Games, the Malaysia finished second in the medal standings with a haul of 81-74-46. Thailand emerged as the champions on 256-109-84. — Bernama
