The countdown to next year's Asean Para Games began on Sunday afternoon at the Singapore Sports Hub, amidst a sports carnival with performances and a wide range of activities at the OCBC Arena.

The biennial meet, entering its eighth edition, takes place next year from Dec 3-9.

More than 700 people took part in the Walk-a-Wheelathon, organised by the Singapore Disability Sports Council, as part of the carnival. The walk was flagged off by Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Sam Tan.

Said Mr Tan: "Through sport we want to build a more inclusive society where empathy is strong in us, and where we value every fellow Singaporean among us. This is the legacy we hope the 8th Asean Para Games next year will leave behind."