Mr Kei Takeuchi (third left) gives wheelchairs to Mr Thongchan Duangmalalay (right), witnessed by Ms Khanthaly Siriphongphanh, Mr Kenichi Kobayashi and members of the women’s wheelchair basketball team.                                               --Photo Sports Daily News

Japan donates wheelchairs to Lao women’s basketball team

Japan’s Tsonahiro World Company has donated six wheelchairs worth US$10,000 to the Lao Wheelchair Basketball Federation for use by the women’s team taking part in the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, from October 22-28.
The women are now using the wheelchairs during training for the games.
A representative of Tsonahiro World Company, Mr Kei Takeuchi, handed the wheelchairs to a member of the Lao Wheelchair Basketball Federation, Mr Thongchan Duangmalalay, in the presence of Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Ms Khanthaly Siriphongphanh; the Japanese Ambassador to Laos Mr Kenichi Kobayashi; a representative of Asian Development with Disabled Persons, Mr Eita Yashiro; other senior officials; and the women’s wheelchair basketball team.     
Ms Khanthaly said the donation was a welcome gift to the Lao government and people and was greatly appreciated by athletes with disabilities.
The wheelchairs would give basketball players greater manoeuvrability, she said, and improve their performance on the court. The wheelchairs will be used at many other competitions in the future, she added.
The Asian Para Games next month consists of more than 20 events.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 14, 2023)