21 golds up in opener today

The differently-abled athletes from 10 ASEAN countries take center stage beginning today at the start of the third ASEAN Para Games with 21 gold medals up for grabs in the centerpiece athletics event at the Rizal track oval.

Chess will be played at the nearby Century Park Sheraton Hotel, while swimming will be held at the Rizal pool. Badminton, one of the country’s most popular sports, begins tomorrow at the Rizal Badminton Hall while wheelchair basketball will be played at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym.

Tennis and judo also start on Friday at the Rizal Complex while powerlifting, table tennis and goal ball will be played on Saturday at the EAC Gym, Ninoy Aquino Stadium and San Andres Sports and Civic Center, respectively.

Thousands of athletes and officials gathered in yesterday’s opening rites of the event, staged biennially right after the Southeast Asian Games, in a celebration of the competitive spirit of the differently-abled athletes at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

More than 1,000 dancers moved in unison to a mix of Filipino cultural dances done in contemporary music while world-class performer Lea Salonga, the most famous Filipino artist to date, delivered a stellar performance and sang the Games’ theme song entitled "The Power of my Dream".

And after the Games were declared open, music and dances, Ati-Atihan drumbeats, coupled with confetti and balloon drops and a 10-minute fireworks display kicked off the week-long multi-sports event presented by the PSC, PCSO and DPWH, and backed by PLDT-Smart, Systems Technology, Inc., Pag-ibig, SM Shoemart, Philpost, Philspada, NBN-4, Manila Bulletin, and the City Government of Manila, with support from American President Line, Pfizer Inc., Red Ribbon, Crossover 105.1, Sports Radio, IBM Computers, Mettaphione, and GSIS.

Others who graced the event were ASEAN Para Sports Federation president Zainal Abuzarin of Malaysia, Senator Pia Cayetano, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Lualhati Pablo, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and PAPGOC chair Mike Barredo.

Also in attendance were Philippine Sports Commission chair William "Butch" Ramirez, who arrived from the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in time for the meet, commissioners Richie Garcia, Leon Montemayor and Joey Mundo, and Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, Jr.

Atienza, for his part, welcomed all participants by underscoring the city government’s firm commitment not only in the development of sports but also to encourage support in the promotion of the rights of the differently-abled.

"We commend the organizers for providing the region’s disabled sector an endeavor that will help guide their paths to becoming assets of society," said Atienza.

"Let me congratulate all the participants, who in our book, are already winners by just giving us the opportunity to see them showcase their athletic prowess and giving us the honor to host them," he added.