2020 Asean Para Games rescheduled to March

Chef de mission for the Malaysian contingent to the 2020 Asean Para Games in the Philippines, Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin (centre) shows the petition letter requesting the games not to be postponed during a press conference. Also seen is deputy chef de mission Halimon Mohd Sood (left).

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Sports Council (NSC) has confirmed the 2020 Asean Para Games in the Philippines scheduled for Jan 18-24 has been postponed to March 20-28.

NSC director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said the matter was informed to the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPM) by the Asean Para Sports Federation (APSF).

“Of course this postponement has had some effect as we are in our final stage of preparations.

“However, we have already discussed to adjust our training programmes so that our athletes will be at their peak again before the Games in March,” he told reporters here.

He also said that he had proposed to the national sports associations to hold a simulation competition in January so that athletes’ preparations would not be affected.

Meanwhile, APSF in a statement said lack of budget and disbursement of funding from the Philippines Sports Commission to the Philippines Asean Para Games Organising Committee (PHILAPGOC) had left the committee with no option but to postpone the Games.

“APSF seeks the understanding of all parties including NPCs, athletes, officials, contingents of the respective nations to ensure that the Games is held successfully in March 2020,” said its president Major Gen. Osoth Bhavillai.

According to the statement, PHILAPGOC, in its letter to APSF, had pledged its commitment to deliver the Games in March 2020.