The event which started in 1975 was held nine times,[2] and last contested in December 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

There were limited opportunities for persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific to participate in sports at the time.

The FESPIC Games was launched to address this issue and promote understanding toward disabled persons in each country, as well as improve their social welfare.

Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan, first participated in the 7th FESPIC Games in 1999.

The Middle Eastern countries were allowed to compete in the 9th FESPIC Games in 2006, along with East Timor.