Para games officials expressing confidence in 2023 plans, prep
THE President of the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) and representatives of ASEAN member countries have expressed their commitment to assisting the next host country, Cambodia, to make sure the 12th ASEAN Para Games in 2023 are a success.
APSF chief Osoth Bhavilai said the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Cambodia ASEAN Para Games Organising Committee (CAMAPGOC) has given the APSF increasing confidence that the biennial multi-sports event will be run on schedule and smoothly. The most recent games – the 10th in the Philippines in 2019 and the 11st, originally scheduled for Vietnam last August – had suffered from cancellations and postponements. The 11st games were eventually held in Indonesia after Vietnam transferred its hosting rights due to the pandemic.
“Our meetings have yielded good results, and we intend to work with Cambodia as closely as we can. We do not want to see cancellations or postponements like we experienced in the past. We are sure that Cambodia will make the tournament a success,” he added.
The MoU was signed in Phnom Penh on December 16, in the presence of Thong Khon, Minister of Toursism
and permanent vice-president of CAMAPGOC and the Cambodian SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC).
“The MoU marks the start of closer cooperation between the APSF and CAMAPGOC. We also had the chance to meet with each committee to see their readiness for the event. I believe that meetings in the near future will finalise preparations for the games,” said Bhaviai.
“We explained our plans to the ASEAN federation in detail. We are very well prepared and the APSF commended Cambodia for being well-organised,” said Vath Chamroeun, secretary-general of CAMSOC and CAMAPGOC, after the first day of meetings on December 15.
“We also explained that we will
host the SEA Games ahead of the Para games. The Para tournament has fewer events, but we will be able to take advantage of the resources from the SEA Games to make sure it is a fantastic occasion,” he added.
During the December 15 to 17 meetings, the final list of the 13 sports that will be included at the games was approved.
“At the 11th ASEAN Para Games in Indonesia, there were 14 sports. While we have not specified them yet, we estimate that we will host more than 400 events,” said Yi Veasna, deputy secretary-general of CAMAPGOC.
The approved categories include athletics, swimming, badminton, 5-a-side football, 7-a-side football, weightlifting,
boccia, table ping-pong, Judo, wheelchair basketball, blind basketball, sit-up volleyball and chess. Introduced as a demonstration event, eSports winners will not receive medals.
Yi Veasna explained that there are three stages to the registration process.
Stage one, which has been completed, is registering each country according to the sport it intends to compete in.
The second phase is the registration of the total number of delegates, officers and athletes who will participate. This must be completed by January.
Finally, all individuals must be confirmed by name. This is set to be done by February, well in advance of the June competition.