By Paul Osborne

Athletes competing at the 2014 Asean Para Games have gathered at the Wunna Theikdi Sports Complex to witness their flags being raised ©Getty ImagesJanuary 13 - Athletes from the 11 competing nations of the 2014 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Games in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, gathered at the Wunna Theikdi Sports Complex today as each nation's flag was raised to mark just one day to go before the start of the Games.


Asean Para Sports Federation (APSF) President Dato Zainal Abu Zarin and the Federation's Board members attended the brief ceremony which saw the hoisting of flags of Brunei, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Timor Leste and Myanmar.

"I'm quite sure that Naypyidaw will be a great host of the Para Games," said the APSF President.

"Various aspects such as in the area of sports, classification, facilities and accessibility has been looked into.

"I foresee that it will be a great Games."

Thailand have dominated the Games in the past, winning five of the previous six editions ©Getty ImagesThailand have dominated the Games in the past, winning five of the previous six editions ©Getty Images



The ASEAN Para Games is a biennial multi-sport event held after every Southeast Asian Games for ASEAN athletes with physical disabilities.

Myanmar is hosting the Games for the first time since its inauguration in 2001 with previous editions being held in Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Asean sports powerhouse Thailand are seeking their sixth consecutive overall crown in the Games, while hosts Myanmar will be looking to improve their standings to help boost the profile of Para-sports in the country.

In the 2011 Games, held in Solo, Indonesia, Thailand topped the medal table with 116 gold medals with Indonesia Malaysia finishing second and third respectively.

Around 1,800 athletes are expected to compete in 12 sports at the Games with action getting underway tomorrow.

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