Messages

January 17, 2023

New Year Message from APSF President

NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE:
From The PRESIDENT

Warm Greetings and a Happy New Year to all NPCs, athletes, coaches, officials, stakeholders and supporters of the ASEAN paralympic movement!

What a year it was as we finally close another chapter in our region’s paralympic journey, leaving us with good memories and valuable lessons as we prepare ourselves for fresh challenges in the new year.

Following a challenging two years, we have managed to bounce back stronger with the successful staging of the 11th ASEAN Para Games Solo 2022, delivering memorable moments, providing our athletes who have been yearning to see action in a highly-competitive Games, after a lapse of four years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Let’s put our hands together and congratulate Indonesia and our dedicated friends at the Indonesia ASEAN Para Games Organising Committee (INAPGOC) and the good people in Solo for organising and successfully delivering the Solo 2022 Games. While we hope that 2023 continues to inspire us with even greater milestones, we must remain vigilant and wary of the challenges ahead.

As we brace ourselves for another journey in 2023,  we must constantly remind ourselves not to take things for granted, in sports, and more importantly, in life. The effect of Covid-19 has greatly impacted our community, athletes and sports, but we remained steadfast and succeeded in our struggle for equality as well as fight in the fight against discrimination on our athletes and sports. “United we stand, divided we fall”, and the success of the Solo Games should spur us to work harder in one voice to ensure that the upcoming 12th ASEAN Games in Cambodia in June 2023, will deliver even greater success.

APSF remains devoted to the endeavour to ensure that our 11-member nation movement and Games continue to be relevant, dynamic and able to adapt to face future challenges, namely in the next four cycles of the ASEAN Para Games in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029.

On behalf of APSF, I wish to thank all 11 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and their officials for continuously working to raise awareness and championing the cause of our movement, producing world-class athletes and ensuring their welfare and development in sports and life.

Let’s remain focussed on continuing to build our strength, work collectively to ensure the smooth and successful organisation of the historical 12th ASEAN Para Games in June 2023, the first ever to be staged by Cambodia. Preparation is well on track and I am sure that contingents from all member nations are eagerly looking forward to converging once again in the region’s biggest para sporting extravaganza in Phnom Penh.

On behalf of the APSF Board of Governors, Executive Committee and the APSF Secretariat, I wish everyone a fruitful year ahead, a blessed and happy New Year! Thank You.

MAJ. GEN. OSOTH BHAVILAI
President
ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF)

December 29, 2022

APG 2023: APSF-CAMAPGOC First Co-Comm Meeting Concludes Successfully

THE 1st Coordination Committee Meeting for the 12th ASEAN Para Games Cambodia 2023 concluded successfully in Phnom Penh on Sunday (18 December) with ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) and host Cambodia embracing collective commitment to ensure the successful delivery of the Games in June next year.

The three-day meeting, which focussed on deliberation and discussions over key aspects of the Games organisation, was attended by key officials with President Major General Osoth Bhavilai leading the APSF’s delegation and Secretary-General, Vath Chamreoun heading the local organising committee, Cambodia ASEAN Para Games Organising Committee (CAMAPGOC) team.

The 12th ASEAN Para Games Cambodia 2023, slated from 3-9 June, will be the first ever to be staged in the Kingdom of Cambodia since the inception of the Games in 2001.

Both Maj Gen Bhavilai and Chamreoun signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in conjunction with the meeting, officially underpinning commitments to collaborate closely in key functional areas of the Games. Also present was the Minister of Tourism and Permanent Vice Chairman of CAMAPGOC His Excellency Dr Thong Khon, who witnessed the brief ceremony at Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh Hotel.

The MoU underlines the roles and responsibilities of both parties in pertinent areas which include sports and technical, classification, anti-doping, media, broadcast, protocol and ceremonies, accreditation, marketing and partnership, legal, accommodation, food, transportation as well as information technology.

The seven-member ASPF delegation also took time to tour and inspect facilities and venues at the Games’ main hub at Morodok Techo Sports Complex which houses most of the sports venues as well as the Games village.

Maj Gen Bhavilai summarised the meeting as significantly fruitful, providing a clearer understanding to both parties which will help speed up and smoothen the current and future execution of operational matters of the Games.

“I’m pleased to note that Cambodia is on the right track in the preparation of the Games in both organisational and especially aspects. The main hub Morodok Techo Sports Complex is now ready to play host and I’m sure that athletes and contingents are eager looking forward to be here in June,” said Maj Gen Bhavilai.

The meeting itself was a huge step forward as both parties have agreed to work hand in hand in the same direction leading up to the Games with more forthcoming engagements in the coming weeks and months, said Maj Gen Bhavilai.

“Cambodia has APSF’s full assurance that we will pull our resources together with key officials from the APSF secretariat ready to work together with their respective counterparts at CAMAPGOC to help ensure that preparations are well on track before the opening ceremony on June 3,” said Maj Gen Bhavilai.

Meanwhile, APSF Secretary General Senior Colonel Dr Wandee Tosuwan said 13 sports have been listed for the Games, with an additional E-Sports being included as demonstration sports.

“APSF and CAMAPGOC will work collaboratively for a common goal, which is for Cambodia to provide the best and safest possible atmosphere for athletes and contingents to compete and the Games to leave a lasting legacy for the host country,” said Col Tosuwan.

As the new year 2023 approaches, a series of engagements with member nations and NPCs will take place with the Pre-delegates registration meeting and the Chef-de-Mission seminar meeting scheduled in March next year.

Sports to be featured are athletics, para-badminton, boccia, chess, goalball, football-seven-a-side, football five-a-Side, judo, powerlifting, para-swimming, table tennis, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.

#ASEANParaGames2022 #APSF
#parasports #asianparalympic #Paralympics #ASEANSecretariat #cambodia2023

July 25, 2022

SOLO IS WHERE THE ACTION IS

IT’s the last 10 days before the big action begins! Solo is all hyped up to receive thousands of athletes, officials and guests – promising a memorable Asean Para Games in this vibrant and beautiful Javanese city!

IT’s the last 10 days before the big action begins!Solo is all hyped up to receive thousands of athletes, officials and guests – promising a memorable Asean Para Games in this vibrant and beautiful Javanese city!

While inspiring and thrilling action at competition arenas by our Para heroes serve as the highlight of 11th ASEAN Para Games 2022, there will be plethora of activities on the sidelines, which include traditional shows, cultural performances, music concerts by local bands, torch relay and many more!

Let’s “Strive for Equality”, be part of the excitement! Solo is where the action is.

*Para Badminton will be among the 14 sports to feature in the 11th ASEAN Para Games Solo 2022. The sport is hugely popular in Southeast Asia and requires good motor coordination. Para athletes play with the same rules as able-bodied players, while in wheelchair badminton, singles are limited to one half of the court while double pairs use the full court. Categories include team events and individual standing and wheelchair events.

July 25, 2022

PREPARATION REMAIN ON TRACK

Preparation for the 11th ASEAN Para Games 2022 in Solo remained on track as host Indonesia stepped up efforts to ensure a seamless sporting show for the region’s para athletes and contingents scheduled to commence on July 30, in Solo.

The 11th edition of the biennial regional Games were handed to Indonesia who replaced the original host city Hanoi which pulled out from the hosting job due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Solo Games is scheduled from July 30 to 6 August with more than 1,500 athletes expected to participate in 14 sports. Solo had previously hosted the 6th ASEAN Para Games in 2011.

Having missed the Games twice (Manila 2020 and Hanoi 2021), athletes and contingents are looking forward to participating in Solo as part of their preparation towards the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou in September.

With close to 100 days left before the commencement of the Games, the organisers are racing against time to ensure the smooth delivery of the Games. Yesterday, the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Indonesia and the Asean Para Sports Federation (APSF) secretariat convened a virtual meeting to track Solo’s readiness and expedite preparation works which include the participation of athletes, sports and technical, anti-doping, classification, legal matters and other functional areas.

The APSF Secretariat, headed by Secretary-General Senior Colonel Wandee Tosuwan said despite facing various challenges, APSF and host city Solo are determined to ensure a successful organisation of the Games.

“We are pulling our resources together, working collectively to ensure that all related areas are well-covered including health protocols to ensure the safety of athletes, contingents, guests as well as spectators are well-protected.

“We are embarking on a series of meetings at the working level with NPC Indonesia to ensure that everyone is on the same page as far as the organisational efforts are concerned,” said Senior Colonel Wandee.

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Matters discussed include sports, technical areas, classification, anti-doping measures, IT and Games Management, Media and Broadcast plans, Marketing, legal, Protocol and Ceremonies, Accreditation, NPC Services, transportation and Games administration.

“We are working closely with APSF to help us tie up loose ends including the refurbishment of some of the facilities, and ensure all functional areas are in place,” said NPC Indonesia Secretary-General Rima Ferdianto, adding that visits by APSF delegation to inspect venues and other facilities in Solo are also being planned.

More than 1,500 athletes from all 11 Asean nations – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste have registered for the Games.

Sports to be contested include athletics, archery, badminton, boccia, CP Football, chess, goalball, judo, para powerlifting, para-swimming, table tennis, wheelchair tennis, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball.

July 25, 2022

Cambodia 2023 SEA Games a ‘dream’ for boosting kingdom’s sports legacy

PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post): With Prime Minister Hun Sen having presided over the 502-day countdown ceremony on Saturday (Dec 18), the Kingdom’s chief sports administrator said Cambodia hosting the 2023 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and Asean Para Games was “a dream come true”.

Cambodia was one of the founders of the South-East Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games Federation, the forerunner to the current regional sports body, and the Kingdom was to host the Games in 1963 before they were cancelled due to the political situation at the time.

With the Kingdom now enjoying stability and rapid development, “Sport: Live In Peace” was chosen as the slogan for the 2023 Cambodia Games to highlight how peace has been crucial for the Kingdom’s remarkable transformation.

Vath Chamroeun, the secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), hailed the huge importance of Cambodia finally hosting the event 60 years later.

“The government’s focus had been on developing other key sectors such as education and health. But recently it was felt the time was right, and it was announced at the SEA Games Federation Council meeting in Singapore in 2015 that we would indeed host the SEA Games.

“By hosting these Games, it really awakens in people the importance of sport in developing a nation’s society and its economy, and what sport means for the legacy of a country.

“We have been waiting 64 years since becoming one of the six founding members of the regional sports body in 1959, so to finally have the chance to host the SEA Games is a dream come true, for me and for Cambodia,” said Chamroeun.

Saturday’s event also served to inaugurate the 60,000-seat Morodok Techo National Sports Complex in Phnom Penh – built as the centrepiece of the Games – with some 8,000 athletes across 40 sports set to convene in the Kingdom to contest the 32nd edition. More than 2,000 para athletes are due to compete in the 12th ASEAN Para Games.

And Chamroeun – a former wrestler who represented Cambodia at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics – said it was essential to host events such as the SEA Games to grow sport in the Kingdom.

“For me, it has been a long-held dream to host the SEA Games. For smaller sporting countries like Cambodia, the way to really develop sport is to host events like the SEA Games.

“As a sportsman, I fully appreciate the value of sport and the benefits it brings to society, as well as the importance of hosting the Games in helping secure a bright future for the Kingdom’s sporting scene,” said Chamroeun.

Chmroeun revealed that the Cambodian SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC) has proposed two initiatives that will set the stage for future Games.

CAMSOC is calling for the members of the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) to jointly compose a theme song to be used for the 2023 edition and beyond.

CAMSOC is also pushing SEAGF members to allow sales of SEA Games television broadcast rights starting from 2023 on a profit-sharing model between the host country, SEAGF and its members to ensure financial sustainability in organising the Games.

Chamroeun said that while Cambodia intends to add ITF taekwondo to the 2023 SEA Games programme, it is facing resistance from the SEAGF and even from countries outside the region.

The host country has traditionally been allowed to include new sports that would help with the medal tally, and being the second ranked country in the world at ITF taekwondo, he said Cambodia should be able to add the sport without “political” interference.

In the most recently held SEA Games in the Philippines in 2019, Cambodia came a respectable eighth, with 46 medals.

Chamroeun said he expected Cambodia to again be strong in petanque and martial arts such as taekwondo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, while the Kingdom’s footballers would be eager to go a step further.

“The Koupreys” made it to the semifinal bronze medal match with Myanmar but were cruelly denied a medal after losing 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

While the Indonesia Sea Games represented Cambodia’s best medal haul since the 2013 edition in Myanmar, Chamroeun said the Kingdom’s sports bodies have been striving hard to improve on this strong performance.

“We have had special development programmes for training our athletes in place for the past four years to improve their capacity.

“With the countdown to the Games having begun, we are sending around 100 athletes across 12 sports to China for a year’s intensive training, while the focus on international competition has been strengthened to maximise our chances of medals.

“And with NOCC president and Minister of Tourism HE Dr Thong Khon having much experience in organising large events and being well versed in showcasing Cambodian hospitality, we are confident the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games will be a great success,” Chamroeun said.

July 25, 2022

Preparations for ASEAN Para Games on: minister

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali said that his ministry is working to complete preparations for the 2022 ASEAN Para Games, which Indonesia will host in Solo, Central Java, in July this year.

During a meeting with the Indonesia Paralympic Committee (NPC) on Wednesday, he noted that there are several aspects that have to be prepared starting from the venue, accommodation, and transportation.

“Because we are the host, we will also discuss infrastructure readiness. We listed which ones need major renovation, which ones need minor renovation,” he informed in a statement posted on his ministry’s website on Wednesday.

“Accommodation, transportation, and other such matters will be the responsibility of the central government, but the one who executes them on the field as the committee head is Surakarta (Solo) mayor,” he said.

The time to prepare for the ASEAN Para Games is quite short with only five months remaining, the minister admitted.

However, he assured that the government is committed to making all the necessary preparations.

“We will coordinate it with other ministries. I have reported to the State Secretariat Minister and Finance Minister. Insyallah (God willing), everybody supports this,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Indonesia NPC secretary general Rima Ferdianto said that several issues were discussed during the meeting with the Youth and Sports Ministry, such as major renovations for the pool venue.

The pool requires major renovations since the floor and the pool depth have to be changed, he explained.

“Currently, the pool is only 1.35 m, 2.20 m deep. The international standard is at least 2.5 m,” he said.

Indonesia officially became the host of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games with the release of a decision letter by the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) on January 14.

Indonesia replaced Vietnam, who resigned as host and announced it will only hold the SEA Games in May this year..

July 25, 2022

Cambodia gets ready for SEA & ASEAN Para Games 2023

Vath Chamroeun, the secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), hailed the huge importance of Cambodia finally hosting the event 60 years later.

“By hosting these Games, it really awakens in people the importance of sport in developing a nation’s society and its economy, and what sport means for the legacy of a country.

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Saturday’s event also served to inaugurate the 60,000-seat Morodok Techo National Sports Complex in Phnom Penh – built as the centrepiece of the Games – with some 8,000 athletes across 40 sports set to convene in the Kingdom to contest the 32nd edition. More than 2,000 para athletes are due to compete in the 12th ASEAN Para Games.