KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak declared open the 2017 Kuala Lumpur ASEAN Para Games at the National Stadium here at Kuala Lumpur Sports City tonight.
A total of 1,421 athletes from 11 nations comprising Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Timor Leste and host Malaysia.
Malaysia has the biggest contingent representing the Para games followed by Thailand with 287 athletes.
The Malaysian contingent which consisted of 325 athletes are targeting 103 gold medals at the games which is dedicated to athletes with physical disabilities.
The Ninth ASEAN Para Games would take place until Sept 23 and offers 368 gold medals from 16 events.
The opening showcased a performance by renowned singer, Yuna with a group of handicapped and a violin performance by our National swimming para athlete as well.
Also present was the prime minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and former premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.