Steven Leong’s Blog

Main KL09 5th ASEAN Paragames Page

On the 15th, the day of the Opening Ceremony, smiles have now been replaced with seriousness on the faces of all athletes, gentle guidance have grown to competition instructions for the coaches and officials are now on site at every location.

On their “Stage”, these athletes no longer know or feel that they are somehow disadvantaged, they have trained, they have practiced and they have prepared themselves to face the competition with pride and confidence.

Months and months of training are now prepared to be distilled into that one sharp burst of energy from head to toe and all the emotional training, concentration is focused onto one moment.

Tears of disappointment, smiles of joy were a common-place at all the 11 venues; heroes and heroines were made of each and every athlete. Those who won rejoiced but most unusually, most of those who have lost have a smile carved on their faces nonetheless.

Finishing the race or the game for some has and always been their goal in coming to KL’09 and to them, whether they do bring back a medal is immaterial. They have come and they have conquered, that is all they ever wanted.

Nowhere else have I seen real sportsmanship before, competitors on the field hugged genuinely and they became friends, admiring each of other’s abilities and each individual’s tenacity at overcome their disadvantages.

Main KL09 5th ASEAN Paragames Page