Khairy to consider proposal to merge 2017 SEA Games and Para Asean Games

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is willing to consider a proposal to host the SEA Games and Asean Para Games 2017 simultaneously in Kuala Lumpur.

Khairy said that personally he was interested in the proposal, because hosting the two competitions at once will raise the sporting spirit, and it could also help in terms of cost management.

"A combination of an 'able body' and para sports event has never been done simultaneously, and it will become history in the organising of the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games. We will hold discussions with the Olympic Council of Malaysia and the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC)," he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after the ministry's 2015 Excellent Service Award held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang.

Khairy said he would make a decision after receiving the views and advice of the SEA Games secretariat chaired by Datuk Zolkples Embong.

MPC, in a statement yesterday suggested that the 29th SEA Games and 9th ASEAN Para Games scheduled to be held from Aug 19 to 31, 2017, in Kuala Lumpur, be merged, and called the 2017 ASEAN Games.

MPC president SM Nasaruddin SM Nasimuddin, accompanied by deputy president Ng Keng Chuan and vice president Jason Lo, had submitted the proposal to the ministry for consideration.