Asean Para Games gets off to rousing start; Malaysia wins 7 gold in cycling
Malaysia is expected to win 103 gold medals and the overall title
FOLLOWING the resounding success of the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games last month, the ninth Asean Para Games (Para KL2017) kicked off with a spectacular display of fireworks and performances by the disabled at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Malaysia is hosting the Para Games for the third time after 2001 and 2009. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched the games, which involves participants from 11 countries.
Expectations are running high after the nation emerged overall champion in the 29th Sea Games.
The national para contingent, the largest of 11 countries at the games, with 325 athletes, are expected to win 103 gold medals and the overall title.
A moment of silence was observed in honour of late Sultan of Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah and those who died in the fire at Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah religious school on Thursday.
The Malaysian contingent was led by chef-de-mission First Admiral (Rtd) Datuk Subramaniam Raman Nair, with Paralympic champions Ziyad Zolkefli, Abdul Latif Romly and Ridzuan Puzi as flagbearers.
An inspirational video showing how para athletes overcame obstacles to succeed was followed by performances by national para swimmer Yeo Yi Lin, musicians Alena Murang, Stephen Kayang and Ramlan Koyok, and the Steve Thornton percussion unit, which featured a mix of disabled and able-bodied musicians, autistic savant pianist Clarence Kang as well as a special performance by Yuna.
There were also performances by the Beautiful Gate Foundation, Malaysia Down Syndrome Association, United Voice SelfAdvocacy Society of Persons with Learning Disabilities for Selangor & Kuala Lumpur, Pusat Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Taman Megah and Farah Sulaiman’s Sayang Dancers.
Asean Para Sports Federation president Major-General Osoth Bhavilai expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian government for hosting the games and said he hoped to see great para sporting action.
“I wish to extend my special appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for your presence and great support in the hosting of this wonderful games in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
“My congratulations to Malaysia, not only for this event, but to all Malaysians for the 60th celebration of Malaysia’s independence.
“With the highest number of sports, events and athletes for this edition, the Asean Paralympic family, as well as 600 million people in the Asean community, look forward to great sporting action and inspiring moments in the next seven days.”
Malaysian para greats Mohamad Khasseri Othman, Mariappan Perumal, Nabilah Ahmad Sharif, Cheok Kon Fatt, Norhayati Sarnoh, Siow Lee Chan, Felicia Mikat, Zul Amirul Sidi, Hemala Devi Enu Kutty, Faridul Masri and Siti Noor Lasah Mohamad Ariffin were invited to parade the games federation and edition flags, which were then raised by the Royal Malaysian Navy.
Najib then officially declared the games open, followed by a spectacular show of pyrotechnics and fireworks.
Next was the oath taking, led by national powerlifter Sharifah Raudzah Syed Akil for the athletes and Teo Kian Joo (badminton technical delegate) for the officials.
The highlight saw archer Hasihin Sanawi, cyclist Afiq Afify Rizan, sprinter Krishna Kumar Haridas, long jumper Siti Noor Radiah Ismail and swimmer Fraiden Dawan lighting the torch together.
A total of 1,452 athletes will be vying for the 368 gold medals on offer in 16 sports during the games. Malaysia has already won seven gold medals in track cycling events yesterday.