(KPL) The government of Japan has handed over powerlifting equipment worth over US$18,000 to the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Laos to be used by local para athletes in preparing themselves for the Paralympic Games scheduled for the summer of 2021 in Tokyo.

The equipment is donation from the Japanese Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects (CGP).

The equipment was presented at a ceremony in Vientiane on Thursday in the presence of Minister of Education and Sports Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune, Ambassador of Japan to the Lao PDR Take Wakakeizo, and representatives of the Asian Development with the Disabled Persons (ADDP), a Japanese NGO, which has been assisting Lao athletes with disabilities for many years.

In March, the Embassy of Japan and the NPC signed a contract for “the Project for Provision of Sports Equipment for Athletes with Disabilities”.

The project aims to improve the ability of athletes with disabilities by providing the officially licensed powerlifting equipment. NPC will install the equipment at the training room of Chao Anouvong Stadium and the facility of ADDP.

Lao powerlifters including Asian Para Games medalist Pia Laophakdee, and Ms. Latsami Sipaseuth will be able to train themselves with the high standard equipment, making efforts to take part and compete in the Paralympic Games scheduled for the summer of 2021 in Tokyo.

In his remarks, Ambassador Take Wakakeizo emphasised his hope that the provision of the sport equipment from Japan will give an opportunity to underline the significance of Para sports.

“The donation of sports equipment for people with disabilities under the CGP is meaningful to our country as it will contribute to ensuring people with disabilities have the opportunity to be active in sports and physical activities thus helping create a vibrant, healthy society,” said Minister Sengdeuane Lachanthaboune.

KPL