Cultural Dance Highlights IPC Powerlifting Opening Ceremony

23 Jul 2010 By IPC

The Kuala Lumpur City Hall Cultural Troupe will be one of the highlights this Sunday during the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Powerlifting World Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The cultural performance will include a combination of dances from different ethnic groups. The three groups, which include Malay, Chinese and Indian, represent the population of Malaysia and its background.

The Opening Ceremony will also include a parade of athletes who will be participating in the IPC Powerlifting World Championships, as well as the playing of the host country’s National Anthem “NegaraKu”. A total of 292 athletes from 49 countries will be at the competition. Of those participants, 114 athletes are women.

Welcoming speeches at the Opening Ceremony will be given by Chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee Mr. Kassin Abd. Rahman, IPC Governing Board Member Dato' Zainal Abu Zarin and Mayor of Kuala Lumpur Datuk Seri Ahmad Fuad Ismail.

A special souvenir presentation will follow the speeches, where IPC Governing Board Member Dato’ Zainal Abu Zarin presents a souvenir to the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur. The presentation will be followed by a short speech from the Master of Ceremonies, which will then end the opening event.

Competitions will take place from 25-30 July at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium Titiwangsa, with athletes using their performances to measure their international standing. Athletes will also be competing to prepare for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, were Powerlifting will be part of the Summer Games programme.

Held just after the World Championships on 31 July, many of those participating in the event will be at the 2010 IPC Powerlifting Sport Forum. The forum will be an opportunity for all those involved in the Paralympic Sport to provide feedback and expert information on its future.