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Saturday August 15, 2009

Malaysia out to regain Asean Para Games overall title

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will go all out to dethrone three-time overall champions Thailand when the 5th Asean Para Games (KL’09) begin Saturday.

Malaysia emerged champions in the inaugural Games on home soil in 2001. But Thailand have since bagged the over­all title three times – in Vietnam (2003), Manila (2005) and Korat (2007).

Malaysian Paralympic Council president Datuk Zainal Abu Zarin said that based on the hard work put in by the athletes and home ground advantage, “we are optimistic of emerging as overall champions”.

“We are banking on athletics, swimming, bowling and badminton to deliver the bulk of the gold medals to end Thailand’s domination,” said Zainal, who is also the Asean Para Games Organising Committee chairman.

At the last Games in Korat, Malaysia bagged a total of 82 golds while Thailand collected more than 100 golds in 14 sports to emerge as champions.

Zainal said they would be banking on veteran athletes like M.P. Mariappan (powerlifting) and Lee Sheng Chow (athletics) to lead the gold charge.

Malaysia will be represented by 322 athletes in 11 sports – athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, powerlifting, chess, bowling, yachting, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.

A total of 1,038 athletes from 10 Asean countries have confirmed participation. Timor The opening ceremony will be held at the National Stadium at 8 tonight.

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