APC Secretary General Impressed by Asian Para Games Athletes’ Village

Speaking after the Opening Ceremony of the Athletes’ Village for the 2010 Asian Para Games on Wednesday (8 December), Malini Rajasegaran, Secretary General of the Asian Paralympic Committee, has described the facilities available to athletes as ‘top class’.

More than 2,500 athletes from 41 countries are expected to arrive in Guangzhou, China in the next few days for the start of the 2010 Asian Para Games on Sunday (12 December).

And following the conclusion of the Asian Games on 27 November, the Guangzhou Asian Para Games Organizing Committee (GAPGOC) has spent time managing the transition of the Athletes’ Village to ensure its accessibility for all arriving athletes.

Malini Rajasegaran said: “With the opening of the Athletes’ Village, we will soon witness a happy gathering of Asian athletes, team officials and guests in Guangzhou. The facilities are top class.

“A stage is built on which athletes will compete intensely, people from different cultures will communicate with each other and the vision of “We Cheer, We share, We win” will be fulfilled.

“I am confident the city will be able to stage the most harmonious, friendly and heartwarming Asian Para Games and hope every athletes and team official can enjoy their time in the Athletes’ Village.”

Ms. Rajasegaran is not the only person to be impressed with the Athletes’ Village. On Tuesday (7 December) International Paralympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Xavier Gonzalez took a tour of the complex and liked what he saw.

Xavier Gonzalez said: “The best word to describe the Athletes’ Village is big. It is one of the most spacious and colourful villages I have seen and I am sure the athletes will enjoy their time there. The thousands of flowers that decorate the village help bring a vibrant and lively feel to the area.

“GAPGOC appear to have managed the transition from the Asian Games to the Asian Para Games very well. All work has been completed on time and to a high standard and they are to be congratulated on their efforts.”

This is the first time that the Asian Para Games have run parallel to the recently concluded Asian Games and has been developed from the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC) which took place between 1975 and 2006.

The 2010 Asian Para Games takes place from 12-19 December and the 19 sports that athletes will be competing in are: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boccia, Cycling, Football 5-a-side, Football 7-a-side, Goalball, Judo, Powerlifting, Rowing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling, Volleyball (sitting), Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Tennis.