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12th ASEAN Para Games Opening Ceremony Brings Musicians, Athletes and Fans Together

PHNOM PENH: The 12th ASEAN Para Games kicked off Saturday with a spectacular display of Cambodian pride and ASEAN unity. Performers of all abilities performed to a crowd that packed the Morodok Techo National Stadium with fervor and excitement for the Games.

Cambodian rapper Pu Klaing performed at the opening ceremony and was brimming with pride and wonder after his performance. “To welcome the whole of Southeast Asia and also the whole world-this is something that I’m really really proud of,” he said, “I will remember the rest of my life.” He also remarked upon the difference between the SEA and Para Games, noting, “Para Games is deep in the heart. What I noticed is it’s not about the handicap; it’s about what they want to do. So, it made me feel closer to them.”

Prak Sophanna, a musician from Siem Reap, performed a song he wrote a long time ago to heal his own heart. The song is about hope in the face of despair. Sophanna was born with the ability to walk, but lost the use of his legs at the age of ten. However, his enduring spirit allows him to focus on what he can do rather than on what he cannot. “I can do everything. I cannot move my legs, but my hands can play the guitar,” he said, “My heart can [go] anywhere.” On Saturday he played his guitar and sang his original song to tens of thousands of people. “I’m very happy to have a chance to perform my song on a big stage,” he said.

Eleven performers representing each member country joined to sing a Cambodian-produced number for the show in a beautiful display of ASEAN unity. Malaysian performer Ali G said, “This is a team effort and everyone is doing so well. All of us were so so happy that it was done well.”

Loung Sophea is a Judo referee for this year’s event. She sees the huge impact that hosting the Games has had on Cambodia and is thrilled to see so many Cambodians supporting sports. “It’s the first time I’ve seen people believe in sports,” she said, “Sports bring better human resources. You can also grow your country through sports as well. So I think it’s a good step that Cambodia hosts this event.”

Sports fan Bunma showed up waving his Cambodian flag and was just as excited to see the ASEAN Para Games as he was to see last month’s SEA Games. “Cambodian people are so proud of these Games,” he said. “It’s a historic event and the Cambodian people thank our government for organizing this event and making our people feel warm and spreading our pride to the world.”

Cambodia is hosting the 12th ASEAN Para Games from June 3-9, during which around 1,400 athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries will compete for the honor and glory of themselves and their country.



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