What’s happening to Para Games?

Are this year’s Asean Para Games (APG) in a state of paralysis? A concerned Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) hope to get a clearer picture of the situation.

It is learnt that several countries have decided not to participate in the APG in Indonesia.

The PCM, who have yet to confirm Malaysia’s participation in the Para Games, will only make a decision next week.

PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin said they will discuss the matter with the Asean Para Sports Federation (APSF) and the National Sports Council (NSC).

The APG were originally scheduled to be held in Hanoi this year. Vietnam, however, withdrew as hosts due to Covid-19.

The Para Games were eventually moved to Solo, Central Java, with July 23-30 as the dates. However, PCM are concerned over the lack of official updates from the new hosts. Last month, APSF approved Indonesia as the “replacement hosts.”

Shahriman said PCM had called for an APSF board of governors meeting next week to get a clearer picture of the situation before making a decision on Malaysia’s participation.

“We have been informed that four nations have not submitted their list of athletes and will not be sending teams to Solo,” said Shahriman.

“It is not that we do not want to compete (but are concerned) with the late planning of the event. Until now there is still no black and white from the Indonesian government about whether the games can be held there.

“We had received an invitation letter (from organisers) on March 26 but besides that there have not been any updates.

“So yesterday (Tuesday) I requested APSF to hold a board meeting next week so that we can finalise a decision because we are running out of time.

“We will also discuss this with NSC. There is a possibility we will not send (a contingent to Solo). We are concerned that the games might not run smoothly.”

Shahriman disclosed that Malaysia had already listed about 200 athletes for the Para Games.

Yesterday, Shahriman attended a certificate presentation ceremony (Certificate in Hospitality Operations and Sports Science Level 1) for former national athletes at the National Athletes Welfare Foundation office in Kuala Lumpur.

NST