Para Sukma XXI Main Committee aims for zero misclassification of athletes, says Fatimah

KUCHING (Sept 6): The Para Malaysia Games XXI Sarawak 2024 (Para Sukma XXI) Main Committee will address the classification needs of athletes, aiming for a zero-classification error policy during the Games, which will take place in Kuching from Sept 22 to 28, said Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.

The Minister of Women Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development said that proper classification is important to ensure that no athlete is excluded from competition due to misclassification.

“We want to avoid situations where athletes arrive in Sarawak but are unable to compete because they were wrongly classified. Our target is zero misclassifications.

“About 10 per cent of athletes have yet to be classified due to certain issues, but we will accommodate this, with the final classification session to be held in Kuching on Sept 21 to resolve these remaining cases,” she told a press conference after chairing the Para Sukma XXI Main Committee Meeting at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching today.

Adding on, Fatimah said that the remaining athletes represent the latest cases or those with protest-related issues during classification in their respective locations.

However, she noted that the majority of athletes have already been classified in their respective locations, reducing the likelihood of disappointment if reclassification is required upon their arrival in Kuching.

“This is an achievement for us, as we have successfully classified most athletes in advance, reducing the likelihood of any classification errors during the Games,” she added.

The Para Sukma XXI will feature 15 contingents, involving a total of 2,225 participants including 1,290 athletes, 49 support athletes, 780 team officials, 15 chef de missions, 15 contingent medical officers, and 75 contingent secretariat members.

A total of 328 events will be contested across 10 sports at 10 venues throughout Kuching including para athletics, para swimming, para badminton, para table tennis, para tenpin bowling, boccia, para lawn bowls, para powerlifting, para archery, and para chess.