The 1998 Fespics Games for the disabled showed that Thailand's handicapped sportsmen and women have what it takes to be true competitors. But to compete, it takes more than determined athletes.

That's why it is imperative for the new Thailand Disabled Sports Association committee under Maj. Gen Osoth Bhavilai to get more involved in building up new talent said Kittipong Hadtawaigarn, president of the Thai Wheelchair Fencing Association and national fencer. ''The disabled athletes proved an exceptional force to be reckoned with at both the Paralympics and Fespics meets,"said Mr Kittipong."But to guarantee continuous top standard performances, new competitors have to be groomed to replace the older team members."

Mr Kittipong picked up silver and bronze medals from the Fespics in Bangkok and has since has taken up shouldering the responsibilities at the disabled association. He is confident that the new committee will be a promising start for local disabled sports. To that end, Maj. Gen. Osoth has selected individuals with background in sports sciences to help select, which sports athletes should enter.

Mr Kittipong is optimistic about holding the first Thailand Open Wheelchair Fencing Championships in May. Besides hosts Thailand, he has also invited Laos, Japan, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Mr Kittipong believes that disabled sports never actually took off after their overwhelming success at the Fespics Games for a number of reasons. To start with, he says that the governing body has not done enough to get the media involved in reporting their activities. The training period has also been too short to get athletes to peak in time for tournaments. However, for wheelchair fencing, Kittipong has made it a policy to train his fencer's year around.