ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) President Maj. Gen. Osoth Bhavilai, today paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Khairy Jamaluddin, in preparation for the organisation of the 9th Asean Para Games to be hosted in Malaysia next year.
Khairy expressed appreciation over APSF’s efforts in promoting Para sports in the region, adding that Malaysia places great importance in providing equality for Para athletes. This includes support in training, exposure, high-level competitions as well as providing similar incentives as received by able bodied athletes.
Khairy said that the 9th ASEAN Para Games would be held two weeks after the completion of the KL SEA Games 2017. The Asean Para Games 2017 is expected to be staged from Sept 16 while the SEA Games 2017 has been fixed from 19 to 31 August.
Maj Gen Osoth provided an overview on APSF’s role in the 2017 Games with regards to the selection of sports and events as well as stressing the importance of having cordial relationship with the host country and Local Organising Committee.
Maj Gen Osoth, 64, is the second president of APSF, replacing founding President Dato Zainal Abu Zarin.
Also present at the meeting were APSF Secretary-General Charnvit Munikanond, Treasurer Nopodol Jiraboondilok and Chief Secretariat Officer (Malaysian APSF Secretariat) Billy Lee.
APSF, which acts as governing body for Para sports in South East Asia, is made up 10 countries comprising Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Timor Leste is a provisional member of the Federation.
