A delegation from the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) visited China recently in a follow up tour to the one made in May to the Asean countries of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
Led by APC President Mr. Majid Rashed, the delegation visited Beijing, where Mr Majid met with Ms. Haidi Zhang, President of NPC China and Chairperson of China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF) and Ms. Zhao Su-jing, Director of Sport CDPF and Secretary General of NPC China. They discussed China’s approach to developing para-sport and preparations for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.
Expressing gratitude to Ms. Zhang, Mr. Majid said: “It’s been our pleasure to work with Ms. Zhang who has been so kind. We are thankful to her for all that she does to support the Paralympic movement here in China. China has been a powerhouse in the Summer Paralympic Games and we’re sure that with Beijing 2022, they will work hard to provide opportunities for their para-athletes in the winter sports as well. Having this opportunity to have another winter Paralympic Games in Asia is hugely important for growing winter sport in our region.”
Following this, Ms. Zhao Su-jing who also sits on the APC’s Executive Board as the representative for East Asia and Ms. Wang Meimei, Vice President of the CDPF, took the delegation to visit several training centres and facilities dedicated for para-sport, including para-archery, goalball and swimming. They met local sports leaders and athletes.
Commenting on the visit, Rashed continued: “It has been fantastic to see first-hand the investment and commitment to supporting sport for people with an impairment in China. We look forward to working closely with them over the next few years to create further opportunities for para-athletes from all over Asia.”
