2008 ASEAN ParaGames

4th ASEAN ParaGames

Theme: "FRIENDSHIP, EQUALITY, OPPORTUNITY"
Nations participating 11
Athletes participating (estimated)
Events sports (estimated)
Opening ceremony 20 January
Closing ceremony 26 January
Officially opened by Bhumibol Adulyadej
Ceremony venue 80th Birthday Stadium

The 2008 ASEAN ParaGames was the fourth edition of the multi-sport event for athletes with physical disabilities from the ASEAN member nations, which include Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Timor Leste and Vietnam. The games are hosted by the same country where the Southeast Asian Games takes place. Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima province hosted the 4th ASEAN Para Games 20 – 26 January 2008 under the theme concept: "FRIENDSHIP, EQUALITY, OPPORTUNITY" .

The ASEAN Para Games aims to promote friendship and solidarity among persons with a disability in the ASEAN region through sports, develop sports for the persons with a disability in the ASEAN region and rehabilitate and integrate persons with a disability into society through sports.

Patterned after the Paralympics, the Games includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputees, visual disabilities and those with cerebral palsy. Joining the action were delegations from Southeast Asian countries as well as top ASEAN athletes who've competed in the 9th FESPIC Games, held in Kuala Lumpur 2006. The previous 2005 ASEAN ParaGames was held in Manila, Philippines.

Fourteen 14 sports were contested resulting in 186 gold medals won. The 4th ASEAN Para Games sports include archery, athletics, badminton, boccia, chess, fencing, goalball, judo, powerlifting, shooting, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis. The ASEAN ParaGames is subject to the regulations of the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF).

4th ASEAN ParaGames objectives

• Promote friendship and solidarity among persons with disabilities in the Asean Region through sports

• Promote and develop sports for the differently abled

• Rehabilitate and integrate persons with disability into mainstream society through sports

History

The 1st ASEAN Para Games, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 25 October 2001 to 30 October 2001, was the initial major sports event of the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF). The APSF was conceived in the special meeting of the National Paralympic Committees of the ASEAN countries during the 10th Malaysian Paralympiad and the ASEAN Cities Invitational.

The ASEAN Para Games, the “parallel” sports event for the disabled after every Southeast Asian Games, was patterned after the Paralympics and the FESPIC Games. The 2nd ASEAN Para games was held in Hanoi, Vietnam from 19 December 2003 to 27 December 2003. Timor Leste was formally included in the Games increasing its member countries to eleven. The 3rd ASEAN ParaGames was held in Manila, Philippines from 14 December 2005 to 20 December 2005. The 4th ASEAN Paragames was held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand from 20 January 2008 to 26 January 2008. The 5th ASEAN Para Games will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in August 2009.

Participant Countries

Emblem and Mascot

The emblem of the ASEAN Para Games is inspired by Chumpol Gate, a historical place in Nakorn Ratchasima, Thailand. Chumpol Gate represents victory. It also denotes the exquisite Thai art and culture. Curvy blue and red lines represent the pageantry of fluttering flags leading eager, excited athletes marching into the stadium. The ASEAN Para Sports Federation logo sits in the center of the emblem, representing friendship and co-operation between participants from ASEAN countries.

Nok-Kao Karom, mascot of the 4th ASEAN Para Games, is a type of dove known locally as nok khao karom, recognised as a symbol of Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Karom is wise, cheerful, gentle, and friendly, reflecting the characteristics of Thai people. K stands for kind, A appreciation, R reliable, O optimistic, and M manners.

Wheelchair basketball team

Sports

Venues

Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Suranaree University of Technology

Suranaree University of Technology

His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium

Rajamangala of Technology Isan

Chanapolkhan Institute of Technology

Medal Tally

(Host nation in bold)

Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
1  Thailand 25610984449
2  Malaysia 817446201
3  Vietnam 786643187
4  Indonesia 33251876
5  Philippines 17212159
6  Myanmar 12111235
7  Singapore 68519
8  Brunei Darussalam 241016
9  Laos 0134
10  Cambodia 0101
11  Timor-Leste 0022
Total 4853202441049

See also

External links

Preceded by
2005
Manila, Philippines		 ASEAN ParaGames Succeeded by
2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia