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ASEAN PARA
GAMES: Be the best overall, says Ismail Sabri
3/3/2009, NST Online
Malaysia stepped in after Laos,
already burdened with the December's Sea Games, were undone
by financial constraints to stage the paralympics involving
11 South East Asian countries.
Ismail Sabri also
confirmed that the government had approved a budget of RM4
million to host the Games where 11 sports will be contested
and the minister wanted the athletes try to become overall
champions.
Malaysia, who organised
the inaugural Games in 2001, were crowned overall champions
that year but have only managed to finish second since.
"The government
has allocated RM4 million to host the Asean Para Games but
don't just be the best hosts but try to become the best contingent,"
said Ismail Sabri.
"This event
is important as the government has also approved to have the
centre of excellence for paralympic athletes in Kampung Pandan.
"This proves
that we are not neglecting them, so they must justify the
government's support by doing well in the Games.
"The Games
could have been bigger had it not been for several sports
being scratched when the minimum of athletes, which is four,
was not fulfilled.
"We are the
only country to host the Games twice, and having become champions
on the first attempt as hosts, we should be aiming for similar
success."
Besides Malaysia,
the other nations competing are Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore,
Philippines, Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and
Timor Leste.
Malaysia are traditionally
strong in athletics and swimming which helped them clinch
the overall crown in 2001 when only these two sports were
contested.
The hosts will again
be banking on the two events as well as badminton and powerlifting
this year.
Table tennis, chess,
bowling, sailing, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball
and volleyball are the other sports which will be contested.
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