Malaysia achieve aspiration to host best APG ever – Nasaruddin

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) president SM Nasaruddin SM Nasimuddin, believes the 9th ASEAN Para Games (APG) hosted by Malaysia and concluded last night, was the best APG organised to date.

Nasaruddin in his closing speech at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here, said the Malaysian SEA Games Organising Committee (MASOC) had achieved what it aspired, to deliver a world class Games.

“For the third time, Kuala Lumpur was given the honour to host the APG and once again we have showed the world that we are worthy of that honour. For that, I would like to extend my gratitude to Minister of Youth and Sports, Khairy Jamaluddin, MASOC, ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) and MPC.

“I would like to thank all national sports associations, officials, team managers and coaches for preparing our athletes to realise their fullest potential as well as the volunteers for their warming hearts,” he said during the Games closing ceremony here, last night.

A total 1,421 athletes from 11 South East Asian nations competed in 368 events featured in 16 sports from Sept 17 till yesterday.

Indonesia emerged as the overall champions for the second time after the 2013 Myanmar edition with 126 gold, 75 silver and 50 bronze medals while host Malaysia finished second with 90 golds, 85 silvers and 83 bronzes, 13 short of the 103-gold target.

Nasaruddin who is also the organising committee vice chairman, said among the benchmark set by the APG was to host 16 sports for the first time in the history of APG, debut of para cycling and the introduction of first para mascot or better known as ‘Para Rimau'.

“To all the heroes, may you continue to excel not only in the sport of your choice, but rise above the ordinary to be extraordinary. As we close the curtains on the 9th APG, may the flame continue to burn brightly, to the next Games in the Philippines,” he said.

Meanwhile, APSF president Maj Gen Osoth Bhavilai congratulated the Malaysian government, MASOC, MPC and the Malaysian people for the success in hosting of the Games for a third time, after the inaugural 2001 and 2009 editions.

“For the past one week, we have witnessed many inspiring moments, great action, show of courage and display of grit and determination. Tonight we bid farewell to the APG and in two years' time we will meet once again in Manila,” he said.

The Games was officially closed once the Games flame (cauldron) was extinguished after Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi declared the Games closed.

The Philippines will host the 30th SEA Games and 10th APG in 2019. - Bernama