After the recently-concluded 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Kuala Lumpur once again plays host to the 9th ASEAN Para Games. The opening ceremony commences today at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and its attached agencies will provide coverage as the Filipino para athletes compete in the said multi-sport event once more.
The PCOO and its attached agencies will be providing updates thru their respective platforms covering TV, radio and the digital medium. With dozens of stations spread across the nation, the People’s Television Network (PTV), Radyo Pilipinas and the Philippine News Agency (PNA) will raise awareness for the 9th ASEAN Para Games in the country.
A total of 111 para athletes will represent Team Philippines with 46 officials, including 34 coaches, in the delegation headed by PPC president Michael Barredo. PPC secretary general Gerardo Rosario is the chef de mission while Dennis Esta is deputy chef de mission.
The Filipino para athletes will compete in archery, athletics, badminton, boccia, bowling (tenpin), chess, cycling, goalball, powerlifting, table tennis, swimming and wheelchair basketball.
According to a news report posted on the 9th ASEAN Para Games website, a total of 368 gold medals are at stake in the Games, which is the biggest in the tournament’s history with 16 sports. Athletics has the most number of gold medals at 133 while swimming has 84.
The games will also feature football 5-A-side, CP football, sitting volleyball and wheelchair tennis.
The ASEAN Para Games will use the KL Sports City in Bukit Jalil, Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center (MITEC), Putrajaya, Sunway Pyramid, National Tennis Center and the National Velodrome in Nilai — the same venues used during the 29th SEA Games.
The ASEAN Para Games is held every 2 years with the aim to promote solidarity and friendship among the differently abled athletes of the Southeast Asian region. The games are participated by the 11 nations of region – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
This multi-sport event is being regulated by the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) and traditionally takes place right after the SEA Games in the same host country and sport venues.
The PCOO and its attached agencies also covered the recent 29th SEA Games where PTV was the official broadcaster of the Philippines. #ParaGamesPH #ASEAN2017