Page 16 n THE ASIAN REPORTER
ASIA / PACIFIC
June 5, 2017
Afghan wounded warriors compete for spot in Invictus Games
INVICTUS GAMES. Wounded warriors from
Afghanistan’s National Security Forces arrive at the
Resolute Support Headquarters to participate in the
Invictus Games in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghan soldiers
and veterans are taking part for the first time. (AP
Photos/Massoud Hossaini)
By Rahim Faiez
The Associated Press
ABUL, Afghanistan — Wounded
warriors from Afghanistan’s
National Security Forces recently
competed for a spot in the Invictus Games
to be held in Canada this September.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) Resolute Support mission hosted
a selection event for seven openings on the
Afghan forces wounded warriors’ team
who will compete against soldiers and
veterans from 17 countries September 23
to 30 in Toronto. The Invictus Games are
an international paralympic-style multi-
sport event created by Britain’s Prince
Harry. Afghan soldiers and veterans are
taking part for the first time.
At the event’s opening, U.S. Gen. John
W. Nicholson, NATO commander in
Afghanistan, said the games in Toronto
will be the largest Invictus Games ever. It
will feature more than 550 competitors
from 17 nations, with 13 of the 17 nations
having sent soldiers to Afghanistan at
some point.
K
“This isn’t just about the warriors who
will be competing, it is about the support
and the celebration of a warrior’s spirit,”
he said. “It is a recognition of the sacrifices
that you and the other competitors have
made.”
About 40 athletes participated in Kabul,
but only seven athletes and several
alternates will be chosen for the team that
competes in Toronto in events including
indoor rowing, seated volleyball, and
power lifting.
“In Canada, alongside other wounded
warriors from other countries who have
lost their limbs in Afghanistan fighting
against al-Qaeda and terrorism to
establish democracy and defend human
rights, we will also fulfill the presence of
Afghan wounded warriors,” said Ahmad
Shah, 50, a former Afghan national
security forces member who lost both
hands in a roadside bomb during fighting a
few years ago in eastern Kunar province.
“We want to show that Afghan wounded
warriors can also participate in such
events.” Shah was completing in the
indoor rowing event.
The Invictus Games include a dozen
adaptive sports, including archery, cy-
cling, golf, swimming, and wheelchair
basketball.
The games are being funded by the
Canadian government, the province of
Ontario, and the City of Toronto, as well as
corporate partners.
Japan launches rocket with
satellite to build its own GPS
TOKYO (AP) — Japan is building its own GPS in hopes
of reducing location errors for drivers, drone operators,
and other users. A rocket launched from southern Japan
is carrying a satellite that will form part of a Japanese
GPS.
An initial satellite was launched in 2010, and the Japan
Aerospace Exploration Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries plan to launch two more satellites by next
spring to complete the “Michibiki” system. Michibiki is
the Japanese word for guidance.
Japan currently relies on an American GPS. Having its
own system is expected to reduce location errors in Japan
to a few inches from as much as 30 feet by some estimates.
Three satellites will be visible at all times from the
Asia-Pacific region, and the Japanese system could be
integrated with the American one, enabling highly precise
positioning, the Japanese government says.
The more accurate information could be used for both
driving and drone deliveries. Japanese media report it
also may enhance the country’s defense capabilities.
Japan is considering adding three more satellites to the
system in the future, as mountains and tall buildings will
still affect the positioning under the four-satellite system.
q
Madison High School princess
cherishes Tongan heritage, traditions
Continued from page 9
Advertise your business, service, or recruitment advertisement in The Asian Reporter!
For information, call (503) 283-4440 or e-mail <ads@asianreporter.com>.
“It took persistence and hard work to get here,” she said.
“At my first volleyball practice, I arrived in my all-black
Chuck Taylors because I literally did not know anything
about volleyball.”
Being part of the 2017 Rose Festival Court is significant
for Mele, who feels it is an opportunity to represent the
Polynesian community in one of Portland’s most vibrant
and enduring institutions. She’s looking forward to
enhancing her public speaking skills and is enjoying
travelling to different places as part of the court.
“This role means so much to me because it shows strong
women who are willing to take a stand and represent an
entire community,” Mele said. “It is not often that a
Polynesian woman is recognized for her accomplish-
ments and rewarded by a program like the Rose Festival.”
Princesses have a packed schedule of appearances
leading up to Portland’s signature festival this month.
When asked about the one Rose Festival Court experience
she was most looking forward to, Mele had an instant
answer: “Going to Pendleton and riding a horse!”
A Rose Festival princess represents her school and acts as the
“face of the Rose Festival” at many events in the community, including
parades, volunteer activities, luncheons with community and business
leaders, and more. The Portland Rose Festival Foundation awards each
court member a $3,500 scholarship, courtesy of The Randall Group.
To qualify for the Rose Festival Court, a candidate must be a full-time
junior or senior at a 4A, 5A, or 6A high school in Multnomah,
Washington, or Clackamas county and have a minimum cumulative
grade point average of 3.0. Potential princesses are evaluated on
citizenship, scholastic achievement, school activities, civic involvement,
volunteer projects, communication skills, and overall impression.
The Portland Rose Festival Queen is chosen from all of the
court members at Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum on
Saturday, June 10 from 8:30am to 9:30am. To learn more,
call (503) 227-2681 or visit <www.rosefestival.org>.