KL ASEAN PARA GAMES NEED MORE SPONSORS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Paralympic Council patron
Jeanne Abdullah has called on the private sector to participate in the 5th Asean
Para Games, to be held here in August, particularly by providing sponsorships.

She said the council has so far received solid backing from the government
that had approved a RM4 million allocation to cover the basic expenses of
holding the prestigious games for athletes with physical disabilities.

"But we are still hoping for support from individuals and the private sector
particularly in terms of sponsorships to host the games," she said here Sunday.

"This is the second time we are hosting the games and we want to make it a
success in line with the objective of uplifting the status of para games
especially at the Asean level," she added.

Kuala Lumpur hosted the first Asean Para Games in 2001 during which the
Malaysian contingent emerged the overall champion.

About 1,200 athletes and officials from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Myanmar, Phillipines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Timur Leste and host
Malaysia are expected to participate in the Games from Aug 15 to 19.

Eleven events will be competed, namely athletics, swimming, badminton, ping
pong, powerlifting, chess, bowling, sailing, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair
basketball and sitting volleyball.

-- BERNAMA