Fatimah looks to Mordi to raise Sarawak’s concerns

KUCHING (March 16): Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah has sought the assistance of federal Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Mordi Bimol to raise Sarawak’s concerns over the decision to lower the age limit for participants at the Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma).

Speaking during a press conference after receiving a courtesy visit from him at her office at Baitulmakmur II Building on Monday, the minister registered Sarawak’s strong objection to the reduction of the maximum age limit from 45 to 40 years.

She said the decision by the Supreme Council for Para Sports in January would have a significant impact on the development of para sports, particularly in Sarawak.

“We shared with the deputy minister about the development of para sports in Sarawak such as the history, the achievements we have attained, and the progress we have made in empowering our athletes with disabilities,” she revealed.

Sarawak, she added, has been actively involved in developing various categories of disability sports including para sports, Special Olympics programmes, sports for the deaf and athletes with visual impairments.

The state will host the Special Olympics National Games in Bintulu in April and had also hosted sports for the deaf last year.

“For many of our athletes, sports are a beacon of hope and a reason for living. Because of that, any policies or regulations introduced must always return to that principle which is empowering persons with disabilities,” she said.

The minister also pointed out that many athletes with disabilities tend to develop and peak later compared to able-bodied athletes.

“Many of them are late bloomers and the landscape of para sports development in Malaysia is not the same everywhere. Some states are more advanced while others are still developing their programmes.

“Because of this, opportunities should be expanded rather than restricted. We believe we should give them as much opportunity and space as possible to participate in sports that they are passionate about,” she said.

She expressed the hope that the federal government would reconsider the decision.

Meanwhile, Mordi said his visit was aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation between the federal ministry and Fatimah’s ministry, particularly in matters involving para sports development.

He noted that under his portfolio as deputy minister, he had been tasked with overseeing youth and sports development in Sabah and Sarawak.

He pointed out that the development of para sports in Sarawak falls under the state ministry led by Fatimah.

“That is why I came today to discuss the issues raised, especially regarding the age limit for para-athletes.

“As a Sarawakian, it is my responsibility to bring forward issues that arise, particularly those affecting Sarawak,” he said.

Mordi shared that there was previously no age limit for para-athletes during the 2016 edition of Para Sukma although the National Sports Council later introduced an age bracket of 14 to 45 years beginning in 2018, which remained in place until 2024.

He said all views and suggestions raised by the Sarawak ministry would be taken into consideration moving forward.

Also present during the press conference were Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Development II (Community Wellbeing Development) Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam, other officials, various Sarawak para coaches and team managers.

The decision to lower the maximum age limit for the upcoming Para Malaysia Games was madeas part of efforts by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and National Sports Council to prioritise younger talent and strengthen the long-term development of the national para sports contingent.