KALIBO, Aklan – Aklan’s persons with disabilities (PWDs) are joining the Philippine National Para Games 2024 from November 10 to 15 in Pasig City and Manila City.
About 30 athletes from Aklan – 19 boys and 11 girls – competed in athletics and swimming events of the para games.
The playing venues are Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for swimming and PhilSports Pasig Track and Field for athletics.
Aside from 30 athletes, Team Aklan is also composed of 23 coaches, assistant coaches and chaperones.
The Philippine Sports Commission in collaboration with Philippine Association for the Differently Abled (PHILSPADA) and Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) revived the para games for aspiring athletes to demonstrate their athletic abilities and vie for slots in the National Para Athletes Team.
The revival of para games after five years, which was last held in Bulacan in 2019, is a big opportunity to build a pool of athletes from 72 provinces and cities for international competitions.
The biennial meet gathered over 900 athletes across the country to compete in nine sports calendared like table tennis, powerlifting, athletics, wheelchair basketball, chess, swimming, archery and boccia (precision ball sport).
Winners will have the chance to represent the National Para Athletes Team in the Asian Para Games, Paralympics, ASEAN Para Games and Asian Youth Games./PN
