Malaysian Paralympic Council achieves 90 pct classification assessment level for Para Sukma XXI

KUCHING (Sept 21): The Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPM) has successfully achieved a 90 per cent classification assessment level involving over 1,200 athletes before the 2024 Para Sports Malaysia (Para Sukma) curtain-raiser tomorrow night at Stadium Perpaduan, here.

MPM secretary-general Datuk R. Subramaniam said the assessments were conducted nationwide in six zones until July 31. The remaining 10 per cent will be completed by today and tomorrow, involving athletics and swimming, among others.

“MPM was given full responsibility to implement the athlete classification system, and for Para Sukma 2024, we have conducted it in six zones, namely Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Melaka, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak since April before the closing date on July 31.

“However, several events were dropped previously but the organisers decided to reactivate them to unearth new talents. That is why we haven’t had time to reach the 100 per cent level, coupled with MPM being occupied with the recent Paris 2024 Paralympic Games,” he told Bernama today.

Although MPM did not reach the 100 per cent classification evaluation level in all six zones in conjunction with Para Sukma 2024, Subramaniam is optimistic that it will be able to further strengthen the system for the next edition of Para Sukma in Selangor, in line with the organisation’s mission towards zero classification in the future.

Subramaniam said the classification evaluation system conducted before Para Sukma took place this time was not only based on the standards set by the International Paralympic Committee but also saved funds and human resources.

“If it is conducted a day before the Games and an athlete has travelled from a far away state and does not get past the classification system, then it is very detrimental not only to him but also to what has been invested in him,” he said.

Subramaniam said that an early classification evaluation system benefits both athletes and the state sports council because it strengthens the progress of athletes who may represent the nation on the international stage.

“This is a proper way to do it, if done earlier. The state will know which athletes can be invested (in) and coached. If there is no classification, there will be no para sports for him,” he added.

The classification system, in which all athletes who compete in the same category are sure to have similar functional abilities in terms of movement, coordination and balance.

Classification is the system that determines which athletes are eligible to compete in a sport and how athletes are grouped together for competition.

Para athletes will be on the hunt for 328 gold medals in 10 different sports, namely athletics, powerlifting, badminton, swimming, table tennis, field bowling, archery, boccia, tenpin bowling and chess in Para Sukma 2024. – Bernama