More than 1,400 participants entertained the 6,000 spectators inside the venue, as well as the millions watching live on television and other platforms throughout the region.

Under the competition’s motto of "Celebrate the Extraordinary", the show comprised five acts, each with a distinct but related theme, which is said to have encapsulated the ASEAN Para Games' spirit of pushing boundaries while fostering friendship and solidarity.

Brought together by creative and music director Philip Tan, the show was anchored and inspired by persons with disabilities.

The crowd also welcomed the parade of athletes from the 10 nations of the ASEAN region competing at the week-long event

"Tonight we celebrate the presence and participation of our athletes, officials and the ASEAN Para fraternity," said Dato Zainal Abu Zarin, President of the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF).

"In the next seven days we will experience many memorable moments, off and on the field.

"Moments that will inspire and move us all in many ways, moments that provide us insights into the true meaning of life...stories of grit, discipline and eventual triumphs.

"It starts here tonight in this amazing Stadium."

The Opening Ceremony took place following the conclusion of a 5.5 kilometres Torch Parade, which began at Marina Bay Sands and ended at the Singapore Sports Hub Water Sports Centre.

A total of 18 Torchbearers participated in the Parade, during which the Torch was passed alternately between a member of a sponsoring organisation and a volunteer. 

Bringing the Opening Ceremony to its climax was the lighting of the eighth ASEAN Para Games Cauldron via a Torch Relay by seven local athletes, including powerlifter Kalai Vanen, swimmers Benson Tan and Toh Wei Soong, shooter Aishah Samad and badminton player Tay Wei Ming.

Tay then joined the final two Torchbearers, swimmer Yip Pin Xiu and boccia player Aloysious Gan, in lighting the Cauldron and marking the start of the Games. 

Earlier, action got underway in the round-robin stage of Cerebral Palsy (CP) football in the Singapore National Stadium.

Thailand claimed an emphatic 6-1 victory over Malaysia thanks to braces from Naggapong Wanna and Paisan Saechao, and one goal apiece for Jettarin Wonghangmit and Chaloemchai Wisetrat, while Khairul Anwar scored a superb late goal to secure a narrow 1-0 win for hosts Singapore over Indonesia.

The Singapore Games, organised are jointly by Singapore ASEAN Para Games Organising Committee in collaboration with the APSF, are set to be the biggest ever, with 15 sports to be contested.

A total of 1,257 athletes from various categories of impairment, will be vying for the 476 medals on offer in archery, athletics, badminton, boccia, chess, CP football, football five-a-side, goalball, powerlifting, sailing, shooting, swimming, tenpin bowling, table tennis and wheelchair basketball.

Thailand have the largest contingent of athletes with 267, while athletics and swimming, as in previous editions, have attracted the highest number of participants with 280 and 196 athletes respectively

Indonesia took the overall Games crown at the last edition in Myanmar, breaking Thailand’s domination after racking up 99 gold medals in all.


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