IN nine days’ time, the 9th ASEAN Para Games begins, all ready to set Kuala Lumpur abuzz with thrilling action and inspiring moments as close to 3,300 athletes, contingent and Games officials converge in the capital city for the region’s biggest Para multi-sport event.
Spectators and fans are in for an exciting treat where courage, grit, determination and the true spirit of ASEAN solidarity will be on display as 1,452 athletes from all 11 nations push themselves in pursuit of excellence not only in sports, but also in life.
The Games, the third to be hosted by Malaysia since 2001, will feature athletes from various category of disabilities mainly visual, physical and intellectual impairment who will be gearing themselves to overcome challenges and change the perception of the masses on para sports.
The Games proper gets underway on 17 September with action in para cycling (7 gold medals), goallball and table tennis followed by the official opening ceremony later in the evening at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. The Games end on 23 Sept.
Over the years, the region’s para sporting scene has changed vastly with many Asian and world champions surfacing from Southeast Asia including Malaysia’s Mohamad Ziyad Zolkefli, Ridzuan Puzi, Latif Romly, Siti Nor Radiah Ismail and not to forget former local heroes such as P. Mariapan, Cheok Kon Fatt, Siow Lee Chan (powerlifting), the late Salam Sidik (archery) and Azlan Mat Lazim (athletics), Hasihin Sanawi (archery) and former javelin great Lee Seng Chow.
Thailand, however, still rule the pack with many world and Paralympic champions in athletics, swimming, boccia and powerlifting. The Thais have hauled 19 gold medals since Seoul 1988, bagging six gold in the last Paralympic Games in Rio 2016.
The sight of the ever-popular mascot RIMAU, who will once again roam the city and venues, will surely excite fans and spectators as evident during the recent SEA Games.
On the competition arena, it’s all systems go as the Malaysia Organising Committee (MASOC) Kuala Lumpur 2017 embark to ensure smooth transition from SEA to Para Games with emphasis on pertinent aspects such as technical, venues, results systems and IT, media and broadcasting, volunteers, accomodation, accreditation, transportation, ceremonies and others.
A total of 368 gold medals are on offer and Malaysia will be looking for a major haul in athletics, swimming, tenpin bowling and para cycling, which is making its debut in the Games.
The 16 sports listed in the competition roster are archery which offers 6 gold, athletics (133), badminton (14), boccia (7), chess (24), para cycling (14 in track, 12 in road), football 5-a-side (1), football CP (1), goalball (2), powerlifting (19), swimming (84), tenpin bowling (18), table tennis (27), volleyball-sitting (1), wheelchair basketball (2) and wheelchair tennis (3).
“The KL2017 Games will have the biggest number of sports. The sports were decided based on the EOI (expression of interest) process conducted since early this year and participated by all countries,” said Nino Susanto, the Sports Director of the Games governing body, ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF).
As Malaysians continue to celebrate the country’s huge success in the SEA Games, expectations are high on the national Para contingent to repeat the feat. The contingent are gunning for 103-gold target to ensure that they end their campaign as overall champions and in the process, putting a stop to Thailand’s target of clinching their 7th overall titile since 2001.
Malaysia were champions in the inaugural edition in 2001 while Indonesia spoiled Thailand’s attempt for their sixth straight overall title after winning the 2011 edition in Solo.
FAST FACTS:
Event name: 9th ASEAN Para Games Kuala Lumpur 2017
Date: 17-23 Sept 2017
Organiser: Malaysia Organising Committee (MASOC) Kuala Lumpur 2017
Hosts: Paralympic Council of Malaysia (MPM)
In Collaboration: ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF)
Main clusters: KL Sports City, Bukit Jalil & MITEC, Jalan Duta
Total no. of sports: 16
Total no. of events: 368
Total no. of gold medals: 368
Total no. of athletes: 1,452 (1,080 men, 372 women)
Total no. of Contingent officials: 691
Total no. of Games officials: 1,113 (TDs, ITOs, NTOs, ANTOs)
Expected number of media: 300
