A delegation from the ASEAN Para Sports Federation has met with Malaysian Minister of Sports Khairy Jamaluddin ©APSF

A delegation from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Sports Federation (APSF) has met with Malaysian Minister of Sports Khairy Jamaluddin ahead of the country staging the ninth edition of the ASEAN Para Games next year.

During the meeting, the APSF stressed that they would work closely with Malaysian organisers in a bid to ensure the event in 2017 goes smoothly.

Jamaluddin told the representatives from the APSF, including President Osoth Bhavilai, secretary general Charnvit Munikanond, treasurer Nopodol Jiraboondilok and chief secretariat officer Billy Lee, that Malaysia was ready to stage a successful ASEAN Para Games.

He revealed that more details on the event, such as the chosen sports and venues, will be announced in the near future.

It has been confirmed that the Games are due to begin on September 16, two weeks after the completion of the Southeast Asian Games,  scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from August 19 to 31.

“Our policy has always been to treat our Para athletes equally with the able-bodied athletes in all aspects including welfare, training, exposures, participation in high-level competitions as well as providing similar incentives as received by able-bodied athletes,” the Malaysian Minister of Sport said.

Malaysian Minister of Sports Khairy Jamaluddin is confident the country can organise a successful ASEAN Para Games in 2017
Malaysian Minister of Sports Khairy Jamaluddin is confident the country can organise a successful ASEAN Para Games in 2017 ©APSF

Bhavilai, who succeeded founding President Dato Zainal Abu Zarin of Malaysia as the head of the governing body in December of last year, also reiterated the importance of close collaboration with the Organising Committee and the host country in the build-up to the Games.

“The selection of the right sports and events for the Games is crucial and pertinent, and it requires common understanding among all member nations and the Games’ stakeholders,” he said.

The most recent ASEAN Para Games were held in Singapore last year and were hailed as the “best-ever” in the history of the event by the APSF.

Thailand finished top of the medals table with 95 golds in an overall haul of 250.

Next hosts Malaysia were third, behind Indonesia, taking home a total of 147 medals, 52 of which were gold.

The APSF is the governing body of the Paralympic Movement in South East Asia.

It has 10 members, comprising Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, while Timor Leste is a provisional member of the organisation.