MANILA, Philippines — Malaysian Asean Para Games gold medalists Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta and Josephine Medina banner the field in the sixth PSC-Philspada National Paralympic Games which gets going today at the Marikina Sports Park.
Nearly 1,000 athletes representing their respective local government units are vying in the five-day sportsfest organized by the Philippine Sports Association for Disabled Athletes with the support of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Marikina city government under Mayor Marcelino Teodoro.
Expected to grace the opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. are Philspada president Mike Barredo, Philippine sports commissioner Arnold Agustin and Teodoro. The event also serves as national team tryouts for the third Asian Paralympic Games in Indonesia in October.
“We would like to thank the PSC and the LGUs for their continuing support of our National Para Games,” said Barredo.
“The games are compulsory for our present athletes in the national pool like Ancheta and Medina, who are inspirations and a challenge for our differently-abled athletes aspiring to make it to the national team,” he said. “Our athletes in the national pool are required to compete in this event if they want to maintain their status.”
Both stricken by polio, Ancheta and Medina are world Paralympic bronze medalists and also went home with golds in women’s powerlifting and table tennis, respectively, from last year’s Asean Para Games held in Malaysia.
“The PSC always welcomes the opportunity in staging the PSC-Philspada National Para Games because this competition provides our disabled athletes with a venue where they can showcase their skills and sports talents,” said Agustin, who oversees events for persons with disabilities for the government agency.