Colourful end to the Fespic Games

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia bade farewell to the KL’06 Fespic Games in a ceremony that reminded the 4,000-odd participants that their disability was no hindrance to sporting excellence. 

In a two-hour show at the KL Football Stadium on Friday night, the 15,000-odd crowd was treated to a display of true Malaysian hospitality and a colourful closing ceremony . 

And when Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said declared the last of the Fespic Games closed, it also signified the birth of the Asian Para Games, which will debut in 2010 in Guangzhou, China. 

There was honour for Malaysia too as Datuk Zainal Abu Zarin was introduced as the president of the newly formed Asian Paralympic Committee, which will replace the Far East and South Pacific Disabled Games Federation (Fespic) and the Asian Paralympic Council. 

In her speech Azalina, who is also the KL’06 Fespic Games organising committee chairman, paid tribute to all those who had contributed to the Games’ success, including the athletes who had displayed true grit and courage to overcome their physical disabilities in the pursuit of glory. 

She also congratulated the Malaysian contingent for their 44-60-77 medal haul and praised China for emerging overall champions with a massive 199-gold medal effort. 

Meanwhile, two Chinese athletes – Guo Wei and Li Ling – were voted as the best athletes of the Fespic Games. 

Guo Wei won three golds and rewrote three world records in discus, javelin and shot putt in the F35 category (cerebral palsy) while Li Ling triumphed in shot putt, javelin and discus in the F57 category (wheelchair) and rewrote the discus world mark. – Bernama