All Systems Go For 5th Asean Para Games

July 24, 2009 22:16 PM

All Systems Go For 5th Asean Para Games

By: Ramjit

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KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- Its all systems go for the 5th Asean para Games (KL '09) which Malaysia will be hosting next month.

Malaysian Paralympics Council (MPM) president Datuk Zainal Abu Zarin is very pleased with the preparations to host the prestigious event.

Zainal, who is also the chairman of the organising committee for the Games (KLAPGOC), said there was only about 10 per cent work left to be done and that it should not be any problem.

"We are using most of the venues enlisted for the Fespic Games that we hosted in 2006.

"Though we have not made any structural chages to the existing venues, we have put in added temporary facilities suited for disabled athletes, just as we did in 2006," he told Bernama in an interview ahead of KL'09, which will be held from Aug 15 to 19.

This is the second time Malaysia are hosting the meet, the first time being in 2001 after Laos declined to be hosts because of financial constraints and a lack of facilities.

Zainal, who is also Asean Para Sports Federation (APSF) president, said KLAPGOC had also created the posts of coordinator and manager for each venue to ensure the smooth running of the biennial Games.

"In terms of logistics, especially transportation, we are much relieved that RapidKL has agreed to rent out 20 buses that are disabled-friendly.

"Proton are sponsoring 22 cars which will be used as official cars during the duration of the Games. I have been made to understand Proton are considering increasing the number (of cars)," he said, adding that various government agencies had also agreed to lend buses and vans belonging to them to help out in terms of logistics for the Games.

He added that the final fine tuining of the preparation would be made after KLAPGOC next met on July 29.

-- BERNAMA

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