00:00As the nation's para-athletes continue to bring honor to the country on the international stage,
00:05the Philippine Paralympic Committee is pushing for broader inclusion of para-sports among young athletes
00:11from the Palarong Pambansa to the Batang Pinoy Games.
00:15At the ongoing 13th ASEAN Para Games in Thailand,
00:19the Philippines is competing in only 16 of the 19 events,
00:23missing out on sports such as blind football, wheelchair tennis, and wheelchair shooting.
00:28Still, the country has posted a strong showing with more than 30 medals so far.
00:33Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael Baredo said
00:36the medal hall could have been even bigger with full participation.
00:41To catch up with regional powerhouses, Thailand and Indonesia,
00:45Baredo is calling for stronger grassroots programs,
00:48including the expansion of para-sports in the Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy.
00:52At present, only four para-sports are included.
00:56Athletics, swimming, bocce, and goalball.
01:00Lastly, the PPC also said that strengthening grassroots programs
01:03will help develop future para-athletes earlier and better
01:07prepare them for upcoming international competition.
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