AsPC SUB-REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION

DATO SRI MEGAT D SHAHRIMAN ELECTED AS SOUTHEAST ASIA’S REPRESENTATIVE TO AsPC EXCO 

HANGZHOU, China, 25 Oct – NPC Malaysia President, Dato Sri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin, has been elected as Southeast Asia’s sub-regional representative who will sit on the Asian Paralympic Committee (AsPC) Executive Board.

Dato Sri Megat D Shariman, a member of the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) Board of Governors, won a three-cornered contest against NPC Philippines President, Michael Barredo, and NPC Singapore President, Dr. Teo-Koh Sock Miang.  He will serve a four-year (2023-2027) term as the region’s representative to the AsPC Executive Committee. 

The election for the position took place in Hangzhou, China in conjunction with the ongoing 4th Asian Para Games. 

As a regional representative,  Dato Sri Megat D Shahriman, 40, will act as a bridge between APSF and AsPC in ensuring the interests of the region in matters which include the various paralympic activities and policies for para movement in the Asian region. 

Presidents and representatives from all 11 Southeast Asia NPCs – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste cast their votes in the election, overseen by the AsPC’s Legal and Ethics Committee, chaired by Keng Chuan Ng.  

Apart from South East Asia, the other regional representatives elected include Mr Farrukh Akhmedov (Uzbekistan) for Central Asia, Mr Gursharan Singh (India) for South Asia and Dr Abdelrazaq Banirasheed (UAE) for West Asia region. 

There was no candidate elected for the East Asia region as the threshold for the required number of votes was not reached. In accordance with the AsPC bye-laws, this position will now be appointed by the AsPC Executive Board.

The representatives’ first Executive Board meeting is scheduled for May 2024, where they will join other Executive Board members who will be elected at AsPC’s General Assembly in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the end of November.

“Congratulations to Dato Sri Megat D Shariman for being elected as the new Southeast Asia representative. APSF looks forward to continuously being actively involved in the empowerment of para-athletes, activities and plans in the region in the next four years and beyond,” said APSF President Major Gen Osoth Bhavilai. 

APSF Vice-President (Development) Yi Veasna, looks forward to closer collaboration with AsPC, saying that APSF will continue to strive for excellence and remain relevant, and be one of the most active regional bodies under the AsPC umbrella. He also expressed appreciation to the previous representative, Michael Barredo for his contribution during his tenure as the region’s representative. 

APSF Secretary-General Senior Colonel Dr Wandee Tosuwan said that Dato Megat’s role as the region’s representative is pertinent to the continuous development of para-athletes in Southeast Asia, including ensuring APSF’s good standings in the next four-year cycle,” said Col. Wandee.

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 9 June 2023

12th ASEAN PARA GAMES CAMBODIA 2023

GOODBYE CAMBODIA, ON TO THE NEXT EDITION IN KORAT 

(Photo Credit: AKP)

PHNOM PENH, 9 June –  CAMBODIANS held their heads high as the curtains came down on the 12th ASEAN Para Games tonight, marking an emotional conclusion after a week-long inspiring sporting show by the region’s para athletes in 14 sporting events here. 

The 12th edition of the Games, hosted for the first time in Cambodia, was officially proclaimed closed by Prime Minister Hun Sen at exactly 7.39 pm local time at the majestic Morodok Techo National Stadium here.  

It was a memorable and colourful evening filled with music, sound, dance, colourful lights and shows of laser and splendid fireworks which captured the hearts of the 70,000 spectators and fans who had packed the stadium early in the afternoon. 

Apart from elaborate and colourful performances displaying Khmer culture and the philosophy and essence of para sports, the colourful fireworks and state-of-the-art laser presentations, and the handover of the APSF Games flag from Cambodia to the next host, Thailand also caught the eyes of many. 

Thailand will organize the 2025 Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, popularly known as Korat, in January 2026.

Over the week-long Cambodian Games which began on June 2, a total of 14 sports were contested, featuring some 1,428 athletes and 726 athletes (with 455 o them on wheelchairs) from all 11 Southeast Asian nations.

Media participation also exceeded earlier expectations with 1,738 journalists, photographers and broadcasters registering for the Games, including 110 from international and ASEAN media. 

Live broadcast services were provided free without any broadcast rights which saw 14 television stations and five satellite television taking part to broadcast live coverage of all the 14 sports to the local as well as ASEAN audiences. 

It was among the biggest participation in the Games’ history which saw Indonesia winning the overall title of the Games for the third consecutive time. 

Indonesia racked up 158 gold, 148 silvers and 95 bronzes to emerge overall champions of the 2023 Games, way ahead of Thailand which competed their campaign in second with 126 gold medals, 109 silvers and 94 bronzes. 

For detailed medal standing, go to: https://games.cambodia2023.com/#medalstanding

Vietnam came in third (66-59-78) while Malaysia, despite sending a majority of first-timers and young athletes, surpassed its target of 33 gold after clinching 50 gold, 38 silvers and 34 bronzes to place fourth overall. 

Cambodia (8th overall) amassed a total of 71 medals with nine golds, 18 silvers and 44 bronzes

ASEAN Para Sports President (APSF) Major General Osoth Bhavilai praised Cambodia for successfully delivering the Games despite playing host for the first time. 

“For the past week, we have witnessed a truly exciting show of courage and grit. CAMBODIA Cambodia, you have proved your true capabilities as host with the successful delivery of the first ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia, Congratulations!,” said Maj Gen Bhavilai. 

“To athletes, you are all true winners! To all volunteers, you brought joy and the true meaning of passion and friendship! And to all spectators and the people of Cambodia, your support gave us strength to continue championing the cause of the disabled community through sports,” he added. 

Hun Many, the Vice President of the National Paralympic Committee of Cambodia, also paid tribute to athletes and participants saying that their determination and performances should serve as examples to many. 

The lowering and handing over of the APSF flag from Cambodia to the next host Thailand marked the start of another journey of the Games, this time in Korat (which last hosted the Games in 2008). The Korat Games will be held in January 2026 and are expected to feature 19 sports. 

Hun Many handed over the flag to Maj Gen Osoth Bhavlai who then passed the flag to Paralympic Committee of Thailand President Lt. Naiyanobh Bhirombhakdi, marking the official handing over of the hosting duties to Thailand in 2026. 

A performance by Thailand featuring the uniqueness of the province of Nakhonratchasima then followed amidst the loud cheers from spectators and fans at the Stadium.

All in all, it was a Games which will be remembered for long as among the best Games since its inception in 2001. 

In promoting equality and inclusivity, the 12th ASEAN Para Games enjoyed the same privilege of “free Games” as the 32nd SEA Games 2023, where the government waived the expenses of food and accommodation for all foreign athletes, coaches and delegates, provides free tickets for spectators and accorded free live broadcast rights to local and foreign TV networks.

MEDIA RELEASE

5 June 2023

12th ASEAN PARA GAMES CAMBODIA 2023

PHNOM PENH, 5 June –  Indonesia charged strongly to lead the medal standings as competitions in the 12th ASEAN Para Games Cambodia 2023 enter its second official day, offering a total of 69 gold today.

The reigning champion are now at the top with 31 gold medals as of this morning (June 5) but are expected to receive stiff challenges from close rivals Vietnam and Thailand who are now trailing with 18 and 15 gold medals respectively.

A total of 256 medals were claimed yesterday with 89 gold won, 88 silvers and 89 bronzes.

Yesterday, Indonesia had a golden day with majority of their golden haul coming swimming and athletics with 9 and 8 gold medals respectively. Para Chess and Judo were also big contributors with 5 gold medals each, while powerlifting contributed three. The other gold was from para-badminton.

However, Vietnam are expected to close the gap in today’s proceedings, where 67 golds are up for grabs medals.  Vietnam are trailing in second spot with 18 gold medals, six of them coming from powerlifting including two Le Van Cong who clinched 2 gold in the 9kg category. 

Powerhouse Thailand are also catching up with Vietnam with a close 15 gold, with the biggest haul coming from athletics (6) and swimming (7).  Philippines had 9 with Malaysia closing in with 8 gold while Singapore (3), Myanmar (2) and host Cambodia (2)  are currently at the lower end of the table.

Hosts Cambodia had their only gold yesterday through athletics, contributed by its women’s star athlete Vet Chanta in the women’s long jump T64. The other gold came from the women’s team 3×3 wheelchair basketball.

Today, (5 June), 68 gold are at stake, with the biggest 28 gold in athletics, 25 in swimming, 3 in judo, 10 in powerlifting and one gold in Table Tennis. https://games.cambodia2023.com/#schedule

insidethegames.biz (By Owen Llyod)

Cambodia’s first ever hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Games has begun with the Opening Ceremony in Phnom Penh’s Morodok Techo Stadium.

The 12th edition of the Games is set to feature more than 2,000 athletes, official, and guests who were present among the 60,000 spectators in the capital.

Prime Minister Hun Sen officially got the Games underway to thunderous applause after a two-hour show that included an elaborate sound and light show, a showcase of Khmer culture, the Parade of Nations, and the torch lighting ceremony.

“On behalf of the King, the Government, the National Paralympics Committee, and myself, I declare the 12th ASEAN Para Games open,” he said. 

The Games are set to run until next Friday (June 9) with 14 sports and 439 events to be contested by 11 nations.

“The Games has allowed athletes with a disability to represent their nations and people, and show their unwavering determination and passion for sports, which are no different from their able-bodied friends,” said politician and Hun Sen’s son Hun Many.

“To athletes, no matter what outcome it is, remember that we will always support you.”

Organisers have strived to ensure that the event is a low-cost as possible for athletes and fans alike.

The Cambodian Government has waived the food and accommodation expenses of all foreign athletes, coaches and delegates, provided free tickets for spectators, and made the broadcasting rights free for local and foreign television networks.

“Samdech Techo Prime Minister, ASEAN salutes you for your far-sighted vision and wise leadership in promoting the cause of the para and disabled community, peace, and stability through sports,” said ASEAN Para Sports Federation President Osoth Bhavilai.

“As the Prime Minister and as President of the National Paralympic Committee of Cambodia, we salute your determination in continuously championing the cause and well-being of para-athletes, not only in sports but also in life.

“Sports can only be enjoyed in peaceful times, and Cambodia, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen, is enjoying the benefits of stability. 

“We congratulate and wish Cambodia all the best, continue to flourish and be successful at becoming a dynamic nation with noble values.”