The 9^th ASEAN Para Games opened at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 17 September.

Vietnamese athletes parade at the opening ceremony of the ninth ASEAN Para Games

The opening ceremony featured parades from the participating teams, and a stunning sound and light show.

Spectators admired the physically-challenged athletes, who, they said, have inspired others with their love for sport.

In his opening remarks, Malaysian Minister of Youth and Sports Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar said the Para Games is not only a sport competition but also an event honouring the human will.

The 142-athlete Vietnamese team will vie for medals in eight events, including swimming, track-and-field, weightlifting, chess, badminton, boccia, football for the visually-impaired and table tennis.

On September 17 morning, the Vietnamese table tennis players of Class 8 defeated Thailand and Malaysia 3-1 and 3-0 in the men’s team category, while those of Class 4 lost to Thailand 3-0 in the men’s event.

The ASEAN Para Games is a biannual multi-sport event held after every Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) for ASEAN athletes with physical disabilities. The games are participated in by the countries located in Southeast Asia, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

The ninth Games will last until September 23.

(Source: VNA)