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Para Games a success on many levels

By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-17 08:07

Dato Zainal Abu Zarin: "Success is not just about what you see. It's also about what you feel." [Photo by Chen Xiangfeng / China Daily]

APC boss full of praise for an event which will leave lasting legacy

GUANGZHOU - Dato Zainal Abu Zarin, president of the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), said the definition of a successful games is not just what happens during the event, it's also about what will happen.

"To me, success begins with your plan for the games. It's about how you are preparing for the games," said Dato during his exclusive interview with China Daily during the Asian Para Games in Guangzhou.

"It is about different things inside and outside the stadiums during the games and it is also about what will be left for the future.

"People come to the games and they do not just look at the competition, they also look around and see what has happened outside the competition - from the airport to the hotel and from transportation to the environment."

He said in this regard, the Beijing Paralympic Games and Asian Para Games have been great successes.

"Changes signify success. In Guangzhou, you can see much has changed from before the games.

"Moreover, success is not just about what you see. It's also about what you feel. Besides the physical part, the spiritual part is also a factor in defining success."

China has been making great efforts to develop paralympic sports by hosting the Special Olympics, Beijing Paralympics and the current Asian Para Games.

Dato said China has set a standard for other countries and regions in the continent to follow.

"What China is doing, and has done, is right. When it took up the challenge to host the Paralympic Games and Asian Para Games, it took eight years of preparation to get to this stage.

"China has delivered and the world has acknowledged what China has done. China should not have to worry about how to catch up with Europe. The truth is that people are looking to catch up to the standard set by China."

The chief official from Malaysia said the legacy of the Beijing Olympics had spread and made the nation the center of Asian sport and the paralympic movement.

"I would say this is the legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It started in Beijing, but it did not stop in Beijing. This is like a flame and now it's ablaze in Guangzhou. People here want to maintain the standard set by Beijing. This provides inspiration and encouragement not just for China, but also for other Asian countries and regions."

Q & A >> Dato Zainal Abu Zarin

You have been in Guangzhou for several days. What is your impression of the games?

It's fantastic. It's amazing. I went to the athletics and swimming. Lots of spectators. They do not stop cheering for the athletes. I was even given the honor of presenting medals to athletes in the stadium. I will stay until the closing ceremony. I enjoy staying here and I will make a speech.

How do you like the Athletes' Village?

I was there twice. I went to see the facility, the athletes and the medical center. Everything is first class. It's equal to the Paralympic Games' Village in 2008.

From athletes to officials, they all told me they are very satisfied. The food is tremendous. No wonder it's the same company and same supplier which will cater for the 2012 London Games. Everything is world class.

IPC president Sir Philip Craven said he does not like the word "disabled" and it should not be used. What do you think of the word "disabled"?

There are two factors. For the general public, we are saying stop using the word because when you use the word it means the people are second tier or lower tier because of their disabilities. So we try not to use the word.

But when you are talking to these disabled athletes, they do not mind saying I'm blind or whatever. It's a fact I am blind but I can do things beyond expectations. They do not mind. They are proud of themselves. They are athletes, they are national athletes. They deserve to be called athletes. And the word (disabled) should be put away.

What is your vision for the future as APC president?

I want to be an ambitious president. These games are part of my 10-year plan. This is a summer games. I want to create the Winter Asian Para Games. Last year, we had youth games in Japan. So it's a package. It's not just about hosting the Asian Para Games every four years. We will have lots of championships every year. I want to develop it into an all-year program.

The spirit of the Paralympics should thrive. It's not just for the athletes. We should make efforts to let all people in Asia know it is also a source of pride for them and that they should be happy to talk about it.

China Daily