PETALING JAYA: The 10th Asean Para Games have been postponed yet again but, this time, the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) has welcomed the decision to move the meet to October this year.
The biennial Games, which will be hosted by the Philippines, have been hit by one issue after another as funding problems and the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic caused it to be postponed twice – first from Jan 18-24 to March 20-28 and then to May 26-June 2.
The Asean Para Sports Federation (APSF) have now decided that the Games will be held from Oct 3-9 on the condition that the Covid-19 “is put under control and no longer a threat to humanity.”
PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin said the decision was the best move as the earlier date proposed by the hosts, from May 26-June 2, could endanger the lives of athletes.
“APSF had a meeting with all the representatives from the Asean countries through a video conference to discuss the status of the Para Games and the Covid-19 outbreak,” said Megat.
“It was decided that the new dates will be in October, provided the pandemic is under control at that time.
“The majority of the APSF members agreed to the new dates.
“We believe this is the best solution as hosts Philippines will have ample time to prepare well.”
Megat said the Philippines initially wanted to host the Games in May but PCM and several other nations had rejected it because of the Covid-19 safety concerns.
He added that Singapore has withdrawn from the Games due to safety concerns.
“We remain steadfast with our decision to reject the dates proposed earlier by the Philippines because the health of the athletes are the utmost priority,” said Megat.
“We will use the postponement to prepare better and will have discussions with the Youth and Sports Ministry, National Sports Council and the National Sports Institute to ensure the well-being and the safety of the Malaysian contingent.”
The biennial Games, which will be hosted by the Philippines, have been hit by one issue after another as funding problems and the spread of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic caused it to be postponed twice – first from Jan 18-24 to March 20-28 and then to May 26-June 2.
The Asean Para Sports Federation (APSF) have now decided that the Games will be held from Oct 3-9 on the condition that the Covid-19 “is put under control and no longer a threat to humanity.”
PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin said the decision was the best move as the earlier date proposed by the hosts, from May 26-June 2, could endanger the lives of athletes.
“APSF had a meeting with all the representatives from the Asean countries through a video conference to discuss the status of the Para Games and the Covid-19 outbreak,” said Megat.
“It was decided that the new dates will be in October, provided the pandemic is under control at that time.
“The majority of the APSF members agreed to the new dates.
“We believe this is the best solution as hosts Philippines will have ample time to prepare well.”
Megat said the Philippines initially wanted to host the Games in May but PCM and several other nations had rejected it because of the Covid-19 safety concerns.
He added that Singapore has withdrawn from the Games due to safety concerns.
“We remain steadfast with our decision to reject the dates proposed earlier by the Philippines because the health of the athletes are the utmost priority,” said Megat.
“We will use the postponement to prepare better and will have discussions with the Youth and Sports Ministry, National Sports Council and the National Sports Institute to ensure the well-being and the safety of the Malaysian contingent.”
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