KUALA LUMPUR -- The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will support the country's hosting of the 10th ASEAN Para Games in 2019.
The ASEAN Para Games is traditionally held after the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), which the Philippines will host in 2019.
"In view of the Philippines' hosting of the 2019 SEA Games which is traditionally followed by the ASEAN Para Games, the Philippine Sports Commission hereby expresses its full support to Paralympic Committee as the lead agency to undertake the hosting of the 10th ASEAN Para Games," said PSC Chairman William Ramirez in a letter to Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) president Michael Barredo last September 12.
Ramirez said that in alignment with the country's preparation for the SEA Games, the PSC "will enjoin the participation of government as well as private sector to extend necessary resources to enable the Philippine Paralympic Committee meet the standards set by the ASEAN Para Games' governing body, the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF)".
Ramirez is hopeful the collaboration of the government and private sector will facilitate preparations for the ASEAN Para Games as well as prepare the athletes to level up their performance to regain the country's rightful position in the ASEAN region.
Ramirez said the Philippines is looking forward to a "very successful" 10th ASEAN Para Games in 2019.
Meanwhile, Barredo welcomed the assistance from the sports agency. "I am grateful for the gesture of Chairman Ramirez to ensure the successful hosting of the ASEAN Para Games in 2019," said Barredo in an interview on Monday.
Barredo is a former president of the International Blind Sports Federation. (PNA)
