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APC President: Guangzhou sets 'benchmark' for Asian Para Games

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-12 13:37

Dato' Zainal Abu Zarin, President of the the Asian Paralympic Committee, speaks during a press conference one day before the Asian Para Games, in Guangzhou, Dec 11, 2010. [Photo/gzapg2010.cn]

GUANGZHOU - With still one day to go before the opening of the first-ever Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) already can not wait to express its compliment and set the preparation work of the organizers as a "benchmark".

In a press conference on Dec 11, Dato' Zainal Abu Zarin, President of the APC, extended his appreciation for the effort of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games Organizing Committee(GAPGOC) in preparing for the Games.

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"I think GAPGOC has been working very hard with APC to benchmark this first edition of Asian Para Games to be the best. Up to now everything is in place. We are yet to see the opening tomorrow night and the competition," said Abu Zarin.

"Guangzhou has set a benchmark, in all aspects of the management of the Games as well as the services for the athletes coming to participate. And they (GAPGOC) are very very serious and committed. It will not be easy for other host cities in the future."

After the dissolution of the FESPIC Games (the parallel sport event for disabled Pacific and East Asian athletes), the final FESPIC held in Nov 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. And then, the FESPIC Games reemerged as the inaugural Asian Para Games, leaving the first host city Guangzhou with only two years and no precedent for preparation.

"In the past two years GAPGOC has done a lot of work in terms of preparations and I have received a lot of feedbacks. Yes, everything is in place. GAPGOC is ready. The Games is ready. We are ready," said Abu Zarin.

According to Chen Guo, deputy secretary of GAPGOC, the Guangzhou Asian Para Games will mainly utilize 19 competition venues used during the Asian Games. Medical classification equipment and certain competition facilities have been specially introduced and part of the technology systems has been replaced to meet the operational requirements of the Para Games.

Accessibility facilities in the Games Village provides a barrier-free environment for the athletes and officials to stay. More than 4,000 accessible facilities with near 1,500 signs have been set up, the constructions of more than 5,000-meter blind walkways and 2,000m rampways are also finished.

Workers and volunteers are trained to provide assistance for athletes that need help. They have received special training in details including how to express their willingness to help and how to push wheelchair to make disabled persons feel comfortable.

After the opening of the Games Village on Wednesday, feedbacks from athletes impressed Abu Zarin a lot.

"They are very happy and satisfied. They speaks well on behalf of other athletes to compete here in Guangzhou. Because everyone was very happy in terms of competition, in terms of accessibility, in terms of food and also in terms of the environment created in the Games Village. They are now enjoying their stay and looking forward to the competition." said the 69-year-old Malay.

"So Guangzhou has set a standard," reiterated Abu Zarin. "And I hope the standard can be shared by other cities who wish to host Para Games in the future. They have many to learn in Guangzhou."