MYANMAR wheelchair basketball team aim to ‘break the ice’ and win their first ever medal in the ASEAN Para Games since the sport was introduced in the biennial Games 12 years ago.
“Since 2005 we have never won a medal and this time I believe we are good for a bronze,” said Myanmar team manager Aung Thiha Toe as he watched his players go through the paces at the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) on Friday (Sept 15).
“We are pretty much optimistic in winning a bronze in the 5-on-5 wheelchair competition and view Cambodia and Laos as our only challengers,” he said, adding that Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines are strong contenders for gold medal.
At the 2015 ASEAN Para Games in Singapore, Myanmar’s best finish was a fourth-place.
He added that both Cambodia and Laos have been training since early this year, more so the Cambodians, who have been competing regularly in Vietnam and Thailand.
“I would also like to thank the Malaysian organisers (MASOC) for ensuring good facilities for Para athletes in this venue. Transport arrangements are simply excellent and we have no problems at all,” said Thiha Toe.
