In Pictures: 8th Asean Para Games opening ceremony
The opening of the 8th Asean Para Games in Singapore on Dec 3, 2015, was a 90-minute spectacle which featured more than 1,400 performers. The ceremony was divided into five acts. Each act celebrated the enduring journey of a disabled athlete.
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Badminton player Tay Wei Ming was one of the three final torchbearers.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Swimmer Benson Tan (above) was one of the torchbearers, which included powerlifter Kalai Vanen, swimmer Toh Wei Soong and shooter Aishah Samad.
ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI
(From far right) Swimmer Yip Pin Xiu joined hands with badminton player Tay Wei Ming and nine-year-old boccia player Aloysius Gan to light the cauldron.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Declared open by President Tony Tan Keng Yam (right), the week-long Games will see about 1,200 para athletes compete in more than 300 events.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Crafted with the struggles people with disabilities encounter in mind, the show was full of symbolism.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Singapore has 154 representatives in all 15 sports this year.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Team Singapore marching in during last night's opening ceremony at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
The sold-out show of 6,000 spectators featured able-bodied and people with disabilities.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Inclusiveness and tolerance were the main themes of the night.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
For the first time, the opening ceremony was broadcast live to other countries - Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines - besides the host nation.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
As first-time host, Singapore is hoping to leverage on the event to promote greater social integration.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
A choir from Chaoyang School and Cerebral Palsy Alliance of SG led the singing of the National Anthem.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Performers included an autistic teen dancer, a choir led by hearing-impaired singers and musical acts performed by students from local special needs schools.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
This edition will feature 1,200 athletes, including several Paralympic champions, with free entry to all events until the final day of competition.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE