Host city Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Athletes participating 3641 Opening ceremony 25 November 2006 | Nations participating 46 Events 19 sports Closing ceremony 1 December 2006 | |
The 2006 FESPIC Games, officially known as the 9th and Final FESPIC Games, was a multi-sport event held for Far East and South Pacific athletes with disabilities with 19 sports featured in the games. It took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between 25 November and 1 December 2006, with 3,641 athletes from 46 nations competing at the games.
Contents
It was the first and last time Malaysia hosted the games. Malaysia is the eighth and the last FESPIC organisation member to host the FESPIC games after Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, China, Thailand, and South Korea.
The final medal tally was led by China, followed by Thailand, South Korea, and host Malaysia. Several games and national records were broken during the games. The games were deemed generally successful with the rising standard of disabled sports competition among the Pacific and Asian nations for other active sports tournaments. With the games concluded, the FESPIC organisation was officially defunct, and since then, the Asian Countries participate the Asian Para Games held after every Asian Games, beginning with the 2010 Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, China.
Development and preparation
The KL'06 9th FESPIC Games Organising Committee was formed to oversee the staging of the games.
Venues
The 2006 FESPIC Games used a mix of new, existing and temporary venues. Most venues were public-sporting facilities which will revert to public use after the games. No major retrofitting work were done in most venues as most had been used to host major multi-disciplinary events such as the 1998 Commonwealth Games, 2001 Southeast Asian Games and the 2001 ASEAN Para Games.
At the centrepiece of the activities was the National Sports Complex. Incorporating the new 87,411-seat national stadium, it hosted most of the events.
A games village was not built. Instead, a "village in the city" concept saw athletes and officials housed in 13 hotels across the Klang Valley. They are physically near to the assigned sports venues of the games, and was hoped that it will add vibe to the hosting venues and reduce post-games costs in converting a dedicated games village to other uses.
The Final FESPIC Games had 18 venues for the games. 10 in Kuala Lumpur, 6 in Selangor and 1 each in Putrajaya and Negeri Sembilan respectively.
Logo and mascot
The 2006 FESPIC Games logo is a heart-shape image that represents the true spirit, passion and tradition of the FESPIC Games. The initial KL, represents Kuala Lumpur, the enchanting capital city of Malaysia is the venue which promises splendour and glory of the Games. Whilst '06 points to the year 2006, the heart shape in the '0' portrays the loving, caring and warm hospitality of the people of Malaysia.
The brush strokes that is seemingly revolving into a sphere, portrays unity and inspiration of Malaysians, in their spirit and values, coming together as a formidable "One Team" to make it happen and that the games is anticipated to be the best Games ever, with a history of its own.
The official mascots of the games are a pair of Chevrotain named "Ujang", the male one and its female counterpart, "Cek Mek". The Chevrotain, commonly known as the mouse deer is the native animal of Malaysia. Locally known as pelanduk or kancil, this shy animal is regarded as being very agile and also a quick thinker. The legendary animal is a favourite in local folktales, commonly known as "Sang Kancil", noted for its intelligence, wit, cunning feints and quick reaction to escape from all kinds of danger, especially from its enemies.
The Sang Kancil epitomises the true Paralympic spirit. Just like the able-bodied athletes, the Paralympians have what it takes to face the challenges and overcome the odds. Sang Kancil represents the strength, agility and quick thinking of the Paralympian athletes. The names of the mascots are nicknames for Malay youths which characterising the vigour and drive of the Paralympic movement.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony begins with the marching of the Malaysian Armed Forces along with the mascots of the games. This was followed by the firework display and the marching of the contingents of the participating nations. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, then Prime minister of Malaysia, declared the games opened. Lee Seng Chow, the blind discus throw athlete then take the oath on behalf of the athletes. Finally the torch was lit by four Malaysian paralympic athletes, Razali Jaafar, Hisham Khaironi, Choo Kam Chan and David Wang.
Medal table
A total of 1472 medals, comprising 539 Gold medals, 475 Silver medals, 458 Bronze medals were awarded to athletes. The host Malaysia's performance was their best ever yet and was placed fourth overall amongst participating nations.
* Host nation (Malaysia)