Govinda Prasad Bhattarai (right), a Nepalese diplomat, tries wheelchair basketball during a New Year reception held by the China Disabled Persons' Federation in Beijing on Tuesday. [Zou Hong/China Daily]

China has been praised for its efforts to promote sports among persons with disabilities, and for its progress in enhancing the well-being of the disabled, helping them better integrate into society and assisting them in realizing self-value.

More than 100 participants from over 20 countries and international organizations attended a New Year reception held by the China Disabled Persons' Federation on Tuesday, where they heard inspiring stories and took part in some unique games and experiences.

"I'm impressed by the level of investment China has put into the disabled cause and the level of value China has given to disabled people," said Justine Coulson, United Nations Population Fund Representative to China, who added it is important to build a society enabling those with all types of disabilities, so that they can move through the community without obstacles and enjoy working and playing sports like everybody else.

As a country with 85 million persons with disabilities, China has incorporated rehabilitation and fitness activities for the disabled into its overall national strategies of Fitness-for-All and the Healthy China Initiative, said You Liang, vice-president of the executive board of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, who underscored that participation in sports is an important element of the right to development for the disabled.

Chen Qi, coach of China's women's wheelchair basketball team, was one of five people who shared stories at the reception, saying that those with disabilities often experience secondary psychological challenges and stigmas that they have to overcome.

She said sports can make them more optimistic, help them integrate into the collective and give their lives new meaning.

"China has made great progress in infrastructure construction for the disabled after the Beijing 2008 Paralympics," he said, adding that barrier-free environments enable the disabled to participate in social activities without pressure and on an equal footing.

The event invited participants to experience para sports activities such as bocce, soccer for the blind, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair table tennis and wheelchair curling.

Under the guidance of the members of the Chinese women's wheelchair basketball team, Nadia Scipio del Campo, public diplomacy counselor from the Canadian embassy in China, learned to dribble, pass and throw the ball while sitting in a wheelchair for the first time. Though having a good time, del Campo described it as being tough because the player's movements are confined.

Del Campo said it was a precious experience to put herself in the shoes of a disabled athlete and spoke highly of the "dedicated, hardworking and inspiring" Chinese para athletes.

Sitting in a wheelchair, Romain Jacquet, health and social affairs counselor from the French embassy in China, played table tennis with a person with disabilities. His efforts were applauded by both his opponent and the audience.

Jacquet said it reminded him of a similar event in France 10 years ago, of which he was an organizer and participant and where they asked medical workers, students and their disabled peers to experience para sports.

"Who are the best today? Surely the disabled," said Jacquet, adding that the disabled win people's understanding, support and respect in this way.

Govinda Prasad Bhattarai, an official from the Nepalese embassy in China who experienced wheelchair basketball and bocce for the first time, complimented China on the time, money and energy it has devoted to the disabled. He said that participating in sports is a good way to live with the disabled and such an event can enhance mutual understanding.

"As an under-developed country, para sports has not been initiated in Nepal. I suppose Nepal and China can launch cooperation projects in the disabled field, so that people with disabilities in our country can benefit from the infrastructure construction and realize the values of their lives," he said.

(Source: China Daily)