National powerlifting athletes (from left) Bibiana Ahmad, 26, and gold-medal prospect Fatimah Wagimin, 35, both from Sarawak head back to the Games Village after a training session for the Myanmar Asean Para Games in Naypyitaw. — Bernama photo
NAYPYITAW: The Malaysian Paralympics contingent can achieve the 50-gold medal target set for the Myanmar Asean Para Games in Naypyitaw from Jan 14 to 20, said Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Datuk M Saravanan.
“Based on the preparations, I am confident our paralympic athletes can achieve the 50-gold target. The athletes are spirited, committed and eager towin medals for the country,” he told Bernama after visiting the Myanmar Asean Para Games Athletes Village, here yesterday.
Saravanan who arrived here on Monday, spent about an hour to mingle with the athletes and inspect the facilities at the Games Village.
He was expected to attend the opening ceremony at the Wunna Teikdi Stadium last night.
Saravanan who was impressed with the accommodation and facilities provided by the Naypyitaw Asean Para Games Organising Committee said the organisers had done a good job in ensuring the welfare of athletes was taken care of.
The Asean Para Games in Myanmar will feature 12 sports – athletics, boccia, football (5-a-side, 7-a-side), goalball, powerlifting, archery, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball, Chess.
The 151-member Malaysian contingent will be taking part in 205 events, involving 11 of the 12 sports contested, except for sitting volleyball.
The performance of the athletes at the Asean Para Games is expected to be used as a platform to identify athletes for the Asian Para Games and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. — Bernama