Para Sukma XXI: Sarawak targets 15 gold in swimming

KUCHING (Sept 5): Sarawak Para Sukma XXI athletes are eyeing 15 gold medals in the swimming event that will be staged at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre on Sept 22-28.

Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, who told reporters this after visiting the para athletes during their first day training at the centre today, said the team consists of 25 swimmers, and two of them are currently training with the national squad in Kuala Lumpur.

“Out of the 25 swimmers, five are visually impaired, 13 physically impaired and seven including two women are intellectually impaired,” she said.

Adding on, Fatimah said there is a need to get more women swimmers to capture more golds for the state.

“We have two women swimmers this Para Sukma and this is a challenge for us to take a more aggressive approach in talent search after this to get more women to represent Sarawak. More women swimmers means more golds,” she said.

Fatimah said although the para swimming event offers 60 gold medals, Sarawak is only taking part in 51 events.

“Our strategy is to participate in as many events as possible, with every swimmer to compete in four individual events and two team relay events. Our target is 15 gold medals,” she added.

Accompanying Fatimah during the visit were permanent secretary to Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Datu Felicia Tan; Youth and Sports Department, Sarawak director Lamat Nyalau who is also Para Sukma XXI Sarawak Contingent deputy chef de mission; and Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan.

Representing Sarawak are Muhammad Zia Shamsul Anuar, Mohd Osman Zainal, Sereen Lulong Jawi, Ting Jing Ping, Mohd Adib Iqbal Abdullah, Muhammad Ali Seman, Rizattul Murtaza Muhmud Musa, Alvin Wong Jun Ming, Mohammad Khairul Azahar Jamain, Mohd Hakimi Sulaiman, Sheena Ung Xin Ying (intellectually impaired), Vinton Jarit, Donny Jeranding, Stanley Jeranding, Julius Jeranding and Mohammad Syafiq Izzuddin Abdullah (visually impaired).

Whereas the physically impaired swimmers are Galang Jabai, Emban Utik, Rapelson Richard Hamit, Mully Andriano, Fraidden Dawan, Rusdianto Rusmadi, Gary Laurence, Raymalos Andrew, Muhammad Firdaus Irwandi, Hasroy Abu Bakar, Ng Jia Tack and Mohammad Safuwan Emman Saferi.

Team head coach is Sarini @ Syarbini Kedri who is assisted by coaches Imran Nawawi, Mandu Nyungkan, Mohamad Zamry Sapiee, and assistant coaches Mohammad Ali Seman and Donny Sa.

The team is managed by Sabariah Amit.