The grand Opening Ceremony of the 8th National Games for Persons with a Disability from China was staged on 11 October.

The eight-day competition will last from 12-19 October and includes 18 sports, 21 disciplines and altogether 781 events. The Games will take place in four competition districts, with the main district in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province of China.

The organizing committee added the popular sports of Chinese Chess and Darts (飞镖) to the competition programme to increase participation, and in order to be better prepared for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Rowing was also included in the national games for the first time.

Over 2,500 athletes from 35 teams from 31 provinces, municipal cities and special administrative regions of China will participate in the national games. It is estimated that over 16,000 people will be involved in Games, excluding 12,000 volunteers.

For more information on the 8th National Games for the Persons with a Disability:http://zj2011.zjol.com.cn/

http://www.paralympic.org/Media_Centre/News/Sport_News/2011_10_12_a.html