9th ASEAN Para Games : Goodbye Malaysia, over to you Philippines
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the 9th Asean Para Games closing ceremony on Sept 23, 2017. — Bernama
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KUALA LUMPUR: The Philippines officially took over the responsibility as the 10th ASEAN Para Games host when it received the South-East Asia Games Federation (SEAGF) flag at the closing ceremony here tonight.
Youth and Sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin handed the flag to the Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo.
The occasion was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Malaysia Paralympic Council patron Tun Jeanne Abdullah.
The KL Games showcased for the first time 16 sports which included the debut of the para cycling event and the launch of the ‘Para Rimau’ mascot.
A total of 1,421 athletes from 11 nations competed in 368 sporting events.
The 4,000 WAU volunteers was also thanked for their exemplary services.
Earlier, a cultural performance themed ‘Sama Sama’ which reflected the games’ theme ‘We Are One’ was performed, followed by the Philippine national anthem Lupang Hinirang as the para-athletes witnessed the occasion.
Internationally acclaimed songbird Yuna, entertained the crowd at Bukit Jalil stadium with six songs which included ‘Crush‘ and ‘Rescue‘.
Indonesia led with 126 gold medals with an overall total medal tally of 251.
Malaysia came in second with 90 gold medals for a total final tally of 258 medals.
Thailand, meanwhile, garnered 68 gold medals with a total tally of 238 medals.
