Malaysian Paralympic Council Launches ASEAN Games Torch Relay

Joining him to commemorate the event were En. Mohamad Sazali Shaari, Chairperson of the Torch Mission Relay Committee and En. Nasharuddin Mohd Nor, General Manager, Public Relations and Events Department of KL Tower.

The mission statement of the Torch Relay is three fold:

To show support towards the Paralympic athletes of Malaysia and the Asean nations at the KL 09 Games.

To elevate the pride of persons with a disability and give equal opportunity to them in sports in Malaysia.

To make all sporting and recreational venues accessible to persons with a disability, encouraging them to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

Dato’ Zainal Abu Zarin who is also the Chairperson of the KL 09 5th Asean Para Games, expressed feelings of gratitude towards the KL Tower Management for generously hosting the first stage of the relay. He said: "This is a PR exercise to let the public know that the Games are coming soon". He added that it is a good opportunity to encourage the public to show their support to the Paralympic athletes here in Malaysia and to welcome the 11 Asean participating countries with open arms.

The relay will start in the town of Melaka and will further visit the cities of Seremban, Kuala Kubu Baru, Selayang, Batu Caves/Ampang Jaya, Klang/Saha Alam/Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya, Brickfields/KL Tower, KL Town, Bangi and Dataran Keris.

The fifth ASEAN Para Games, taking place from 15-19 August in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, will see around 1,200 athletes and officials participating. Considered the biggest multi-sports and multi-disability sporting event for athletes with a disability in the ASEAN region, the ASEAN Para Games have been organized every two years since the formation of the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) in 2001.

A total of ten APSF members plus Timor Leste will be participating in the Games this year. Many Paralympic sports are on the programme this year, including Athletics, Powerlifting, Sailing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Tennis.

The vision of the 5th ASEAN Para Games is “United, inspired and enlightened in body, mind and spirit by its passion for the Para Games and the excitement displayed by the Paralympic athletes recognizing the rights and the aspirations of the disabled in sports and in life, effectively contributing to the ASEAN dream”.

The first ASEAN Para Games were also held in Kuala Lumpur from 25-30 October 2001 and were the initial major sports event of the APSF. The following Games were held two years later in Hanoi, Vietnam, in December, with subsequent Games in Manila, Philippines, and Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, respectively.

Sanctioned events by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) include Athletics, Swimming and Powerlifting.

For more inforamtion, please visit the official website of the Malaysian Paralympic Council at www.paralympic.org.my.