KUALA LUMPUR WELCOMES ASEAN PARA GAMES ATHLETES

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian contingent will strive for
glory at the 5th Asean Para Games which will be officially opened Saturday.

"Everything is intact and I hope our athletes will strive for the best and
bring honour to the country," said Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) president
Zainal Abu Zarin.

He was meet by reporters after the flag-raising and welcoming ceremony at
Keris Square at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil Friday.

Representatives of all participating countries, except Timor Leste, were
greeted and welcomed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall Director-General Salleh
Yusof, who represented Kuala Lumpur Mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail.

"Its been always our privillage to be the host major sporting events in
Malaysia. This is our second time hosting the Asean Para Games and the first
time we were selected as the host was in 2001. It gives us great pleasure in
welcoming the athletes once again," said Salleh.

Flags of the 10 Asean member nations were raised in alphabetical order,
witnessed by the chef-de-mission of each participating country.

After the ceremony, Salleh accepted the Games torch from the torch relay
before it was lit in a mini couldron mounted at Keris Square.

Zainal, who is also the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games Organising Committee
(KLAPGOC) chairman, noted that the absence of Timor Leste at this year's Games
was due to financial constraint.

"I was made to understand that they have approached their government and
until the very last minute they have not received the approval from their
government in terms of funding. They were supposed to arrived here on Aug 12,"
he said.

Former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will officially open the
games at the Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Saturday.

-- BERNAMA