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Asean Para
Games Gets RM4Mil Help From Govt
4/3/2009, The Star
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
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