Para Sukma XXI a platform for empowerment, excellence in sports for para athletes, says Fatimah

KUCHING (Sept 20): The Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma) is very important to promote sports among people with disabilities and provide opportunities for para athletes to participate in national and international competitions, said Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.

The Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development said she felt that sports for the disabled manifest social inclusion and it is able to produce a deep sense of belonging as a civil family.

“As the minister responsible for the development of women, children and community well-being in Sarawak, I truly believe that sports is an important tool for empowering the disabled, one of the foundations of unity for strengthening and contributing to the well-being of the community.

“In line with the National Sports Vision 2030, sports culture should involve various groups of society and start from the young.

“Through sports, the values of self-discipline, unity, health and self-resilience are cultivated.

“For the disabled, sports is self-empowerment, confidence and dignity,” she said at the launching of Para Sukma XXI Games Village at a local hotel here today.

She said 15 contingents involving 1,275 athletes and over 1,700 technical delegates, classifiers, contingent and secretariat officials are involved in Para Sukma XXI.

The athletes will compete in 10 sports with 328 events to be competed at 10 sports venues.

The venues include the Sarawak Stadium (athletics), KBS Multipurpose Hall (powerlifting), Sarawak Badminton Association Hall (badminton), Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre (swimming), SJK Chung Hua No 3 (table tennis), Multipurpose Arena Petra Jaya (lawn bowls), Petra Jaya Archery Range (archery), Raia Hotel (chess), Megalanes Sarawak (tenpin bowling), and Sarawak Basketball Association Hall (boccia).

A total of 19 sports villages have been prepared, taking into account the special needs of the para athletes and the vicinity of competition venues.

“On behalf of the Sarawak government, I also take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the contingents and athletes who are participating in this Para Sukma.

“It would be meaningless without the presence and participation of all of you.

“Para Sukma not only produces athletes for the country but also champions on the world stage,” said Fatimah.

She also highlighted the outstanding achievements of national athletes in the international arena, which is the Paris Paralympic Games, and had brought honour and glory to the country.

They include powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, shuttler Cheah Liek Hou, long jumper Datuk Abdul Latif Romly, Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli (shot put) and Eddy Bernard (100m sprint).

Among those present were Deputy Ministers of Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Rosey Yunus and Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam; the ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Felicia Tan; Sukma XXI and Para Sukma XXI chief executive officer Datu Hii Chang Kee, who is Deputy State Secretary (operations); and Olympic Council of Malaysia president Dato Sri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin.