VIENTIANE, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Lao disabled athletes left for Malaysia on Wednesday ahead of final preparations for the ninth Para Games in Kuala Lumpur from Sept. 17 to 23.
The Lao team comprising 64 men and 20 women is ready to compete in swimming, weightlifting, goal ball, wheelchair basketball, 5-a-side football, along with track and field events at the Para Games, Lao state-run media Vientiane Times reported.
The Lao team targets to win at least one gold, four silver and seven bronze medals at the Para Games. They have been trained for two months in the lead up to the games by seven professional coaches.
A total of 84 athletes were selected from 16 provinces ahead of gathering for their training camp in Lao capital Vientiane ahead of the games.
There will be 294 gold medals up for grabs at the regional sport event in Malaysia. Teams from 11 countries and regions will attend 16 sporting events, including track and field, swimming, weightlifting, goal ball, wheelchair basketball, football for the blind, cycling, mountain biking, boccia, 5-a-side football, chess, badminton, sitting volleyball, table tennis, bowling, archery and wheelchair tennis.
