In Pictures
In Pictures: ASEAN Para-Games
Nearly 2,000 disabled athletes from 10 nations competed in 12 sports at Myanmar’s brand new Wunna Theidki Stadium.
The 7th ASEAN Para-Games, held in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw, drew to a close filled with fireworks on January 20th. Nearly 2,000 athletes from 10 ASEAN countries competed in 12 sports at the newly completed Wunna Theidki Stadium. The multi-million dollar complex was compared to Malaysia’s international standard sporting facilities for disabled athletes.
Myanmar’s disabled population is quoted by government officials as being anywhere from two to 10 percent. Indonesia led the medal tally on the final day, but Myanmar showed strength in hitting the finals in seated volleyball and goal ball – a blind, football-based game featuring an audible ball.
Myanmar also debuted teams in Para-Games crowd favourite, wheelchair basketball, with the men’s team narrowly missing a bronze medal in a showdown with the Philippines’ team.
The sports contested at the Para-Games were: Archery, athletics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, chess, goal ball, powerlifting, swimming, table tennis, sitting volleyball, football 5-a-side and football 7-a-side. Nearly 400 medals were awarded during the week of the games. It was Myanmar’s first time hosting the Para-Games, after the conclusion of its third time hosting the SEA Games.