Craven louds 'message-sending' opening ceremony of Asian Para Games
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Although it was the very first time for a paralympic multi-sport Games to run parallel to the Asian Games, Asia has a long and proud history in staging major Paralympic events, dating back to the first FESPIC Games (the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled) in 1975. And Craven also praised the commitment of Asian people, especially Chinese people, in Paralympic Movement.
"The IPC (International Paralympic Committee) views Asia and views China as a very important region and that's another reason why we are so pleased that China after doing the Paralympic Games in 2008, doing the Special Olympics in 2007, now is hosting the Asian Para Games."
"So Asia is very important and China is very important and it shows that China is totally committed to Paralympic sport, to what it can do for the society, and to what it can do for China of course," said Craven.
"The Paralympic games coming to China in 2008 has caused a transformation in the way that Chinese people perceive persons with disability, and also therefore in the way now facilities are given to access for all in cities, access for all at airports, and also then moving on to employment for all and education for all. So this great progress being made here and that's something I've already observed."
As the first host city of the Asian Para Games with no precedent to follow, Guangzhou set a "benchmark" for the future edition of the quadrennial sports gala with their fine preparation work.
"I just want to thank GAPGOC and the organizing committee and the interaction that it had with the Asian Paralympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee to ensure that these games are very well organized for the athletes, the spectators and hopefully also for the media," said Craven.
The Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games will last from Dec. 12 to 19. Nineteen sports are included and among with badminton and tenpin bowling are non-Paralympic sports.
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