Fadhil Yunus
Colourful and vibrant scenes lit up the glorious skies of Phnom Penh as Cambodia welcomed the much-anticipated 12th ASEAN Para Games 2023 at the Morodok Techo National Stadium last night.
The opening ceremony of the 12th ASEAN Para Games witnessed a parade led by the ASEAN Para Games contingents as well as the ASEAN Para Sports Federation flag and anthem.
The event continued with the reading of oath for the representatives of the para athletes, referees and judges.
Representative of the 12th ASEAN Para Games Organising Committee Hun Many also delivered his remarks. A sea of spectators which thronged the stadium was all ears as they heard remarks by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen. Then, the whole of Cambodia paused as the Prime Minister announced the opening of the 12th ASEAN Para Games.
The event also saw a performance entitled ‘Khmer Heart’ which encapsulated the pride of the nation.
The spectacle also witnessed a torch relay and cauldron lighting as the nation celebrates yet another special sporting occasion following the success of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) last month.
The skies were lit with colourful firework displays as the country welcomes a week-long of sporting action.
The country is sending 12 athletes who will be competing in three sports namely badminton, athletics and swimming.
Brunei Darussalam will begin their campaign today in para badminton with Isma Rafiq bin Jaimie playing against a Malaysian competitor while Awangku Muhd Amirul Faiq bin Pengiran Zali will meet a Thai opponent.
Meanwhile, Chef de Mission of the Brunei Darussalam national contingent and President of Brunei Darussalam Paralympic Council Haji Ali Yusri bin Haji Abdul Ghafor attended the flag-hoisting ceremony of ASEAN member countries and exchange of souvenirs along the vicinity of the Morodok Techo National Stadium last Friday.
