KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will study the approach taken by Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in providing facilities for persons with disabilities (PwD) in preparation for the 14th ASEAN Para Games in Kuala Lumpur in October next year.
Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said Japan's practice of allowing the PwD community to test the facilities before they are used by athletes is among the measures that could be considered to ensure the amenities meet users' needs.
He said the matter was discussed during a courtesy call on Aichi Prefecture Governor Hideaki Ohmura and Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa at Nagoya Harbor Hall in Japan, in conjunction with the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games.
“This is an excellent approach because those who best understand the needs of PwDs are the community themselves.
“We will study this approach for our ASEAN Para Games 2027 preparations so that the facilities provided are truly accessible and comfortable for both our athletes and those from other ASEAN countries,” he said in a Youth and Sports Ministry statement today.
Dr Mohammed Taufiq said the meeting also gave Malaysia the opportunity to learn from Aichi-Nagoya’s experience in hosting the Asian Games and Asian Para Games consecutively, especially in volunteer management, which plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth running of both events.
Malaysia will host the 34th SEA Games from Sept 18 to 29, followed by the 14th ASEAN Para Games from Oct 17 to 23 next year.
The national contingent participating in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games from Oct 18 to 24 comprises 68 athletes competing in 94 events across 10 sports.
National para-athlete Muhammad Nazmi Nasri, who is competing in the T37 long jump event, was given the honour of carrying the Jalur Gemilang at the Games' opening ceremony at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium today.
-- BERNAMA