10th Asean Para Games in PH officially canceled

FILE – The Philippine delegation during 9th ASEAN Para Games opening ceremony last Sunday, September 17th. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ Janneth Tenorio

The Asean Para Sports Federation has clearly acknowledged the rationale behind the country’s hosting pullout of the 10th Asean Para Games.

With the threat of the deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19) still unchecked, the APSF has called off the Philippine staging of the Games for good to assure the safety of all para athletes, coaches and officials from the 11 Southeast Asian member countries that were expected to participate.

The Philippine Sports Commission, the government arm in sports, recently announced that sports activities for the rest of the year have been shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The agency likewise decided not to continue its monetary backing to the organizing committee of the APG and will instead channel the funding to fight the ongoing health hazard.

“In light of the decision of the PSC from the Republic of the Philippines, I would like to state that the 10th Asean Para Games would be cancelled officially,” said APSF president Maj. Gen. Osoth Bhavilai in a letter to the top officials of the national paralympic committees from the 11 countries.

“Nevertheless, the APSF would like to thank the Philippines for all efforts taken prior to the Games for the preparation. We appreciate why such a decision needs to be made,” added Bhavilai.

PSC Chairman William Ramirez, who stressed that government support for Filipino para athletes will be maintained, believes that Philippine sports could not fully resume until a vaccine is discovered.

“The hosting of the APG by the Philippines is not feasible without government support,” said Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo, head of the APG organizing committee.

“We understand that this is a global concern and this is a very difficult decision. At this moment, sports must take a back seat to address a greater issue,” added Barredo.

The Philippine hosting of the Asean Para Games, which promised to feature the finest para athletes in the region, was postponed twice this year and rescheduled early October before the global respiratory disease delivered the death knell.

“APSF would now be taking further steps to hold a virtual meeting among the board of governors soon to facilitate discussion on the cancellation and the necessary steps moving forward,” said Bhavilai.