The FESPIC Games or the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled, was a multi-sport event in Asia and the South Pacific region which is considered to be a precursor to the Asian Para Games, as two of its edition games in 1999 (7th) and 2002 (8th) were held parallel to the 1998 Asian Games and the 2002 Asian Games.
The event which started in 1975 was held nine times,Closure of FESPIC Federation and last contested in December 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.9th Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC) Games
Objectives To promote general interest and welfare for the disabled in the region through participation in sports events and other activities To deepen mutual understanding and friendship of the disabled To promote rehabilitation for the disabled in the region through sports activities
History
The first FESPIC Games was held in Oita, Japan in 1975. There were limited opportunities for persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific to participate in sports at the time. The FESPIC Games was launched to address this issue and promote understanding toward disabled persons in each country, as well as improve their social welfare.
The number of participant countries increased during FESPIC history. Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan, first participated in the 7th FESPIC Games in 1999. The Middle Eastern countries were allowed to compete in the 9th FESPIC Games in 2006, along with East Timor. Middle East countries were previously not allowed to compete in FESPIC Games from 1975 to 2002 because these countries were Africa/Middle Eastern members.
List of FESPIC Games
Of all the nine editions of the FESPIC Games, two of them, the 1999 and 2002 editions were held in the same host city as the Asian Games. The 9th FESPIC Games was the last and final edition of the series which took place in 2006.FESPIC closure notice For Asian countries, the FESPIC Games was replaced by the Asian Para Games, starting with the inaugural 2010 Asian Para Games which was held in Guangzhou, China after the 16th Asian Games.
EditionYearHost cityHost nationSportsNationsCompetitors11975Oita 1 June 3 June81897321977Parramatta 20 November 26 November131543031982Sha Tin 31 October 7 November2374441986Solo 31 August 7 September1983451989Kobe 15 September 20 September411,64661994Beijing 4 September 10 September422,08171999Bangkok 10 January 16 January15342,25882002Busan 26 October 1 November17402,19992006Kuala Lumpur 25 November 1 December19463,641
Youth Games
One Youth Games was held in Hong Kong and serves as the precursor to the Asian Youth Para Games.
YearHost cityHost nationSportsNationsCompetitors2003Kowloon-Sha Tin 24 December 27 December15584
Sports
Athletics Cycling Football 7 A-Side Powerlifting Judo Chess Target Sports Archery Fencing Target Shooting Water Sports Sailing Swimming
Ball Sports Badminton Boccia Ten-Pin Bowling Goalball Lawn Bowls Sitting Volleyball Table tennis Wheelchair Basketball Wheelchair Tennis
See also Asian Games Asian Para Games Disabled sport International Paralympic Committee
References
External links The official website of 7th FESPIC Games The official website of 8th FESPIC Games The official website of 9th FESPIC Games 2010 Asian Games Guangzhou official website Dumapong wins silver in Busan FESPIC International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) International Paralympic Committee Cerebral Palsy International Sport and Recreation Association International Blind Sports Association INAS-FID: International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation Discussion forum of Disabled sports 9th FESPIC Games Past Medal Tally of the FESPIC Games 1999–2006 International Games (FESPIC Youth Games) International Games (FESPIC Games)