The Asian Youth Para-Games (AYPG) sports competitions got underway this morning after an opening ceremony last night attended by many dignitaries from the Paralympic Family, including IPC President Sir Philip Craven.
This multi-sport event has attracted more than 1200 athletes and support personnel who will take part in the 14 sports from 26 – 30 October 2013. Para-badminton is one of the 14 sports and 28 players from eight countries are competing at Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara Sports Complex for medals in five Sport Classes.
“This event is a really important opportunity for para-sport in Asia and for the future of para-badminton in Asia” said Paul Kurzo at the para-badminton competitions this morning.
“Youth is the future of sport and para-badminton is no different. I’m impressed with the level of talent we have at this competition and the strength of our badminton nations” he added.
“This is the first international para-badminton event any of the players have been to and this experience I am sure will give a lasting impression on these para-badminton stars of the future”.
The countries represented in the para-badminton competition are China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam and Korea.
Kurzo highlighted that “the BWF has a vision to be a part of the Paralympic programme at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and this multi-sport Games is an important step towards this”.
The event this week has also been an opportunity for training and development, as well as networking with some of the decision makers in Para-Sport in Asia.
A Stage 2 Classifier course was completed today with four new Classifiers graduating at the AYPGs. International technical workshops were also hosted involving international umpires in the sport.
The Asian Youth Para Games, was officially declared open by the Minister of Youth and Sports Malaysia, Khairy Jamaluddin, at the opening ceremony at the Putra Stadium last night. The Minister spoke passionately about the need to support para-sport and to celebrate the achievements of the talented athletes competing at the Games.
The theme of the Games is: “where passion grows, dreams fulfilled, friendships strengthened”.
Para-Badminton concludes with the finals events on Tuesday 29 October.
For more information on the Asian Youth Para-Games, see the official website.
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