Para Sukma XXI to deploy 150 specialised vehicles for athletes with special needs

KUCHING (Sept 6): A total of 150 vehicles for athletes with disabilities and special needs during the Para Malaysia Games (Sukma) XXI Sarawak 2024 (Para Sukma XXI), said Minister of Women Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.

She said the fleet would include 10 lorries, 62 vans, 45 buses, 15 cars, and 18 sports utility vehicles (SUVs).

“Since our athletes fall into three main categories – vision impaired, physical impaired, and intellectual disabilities – specialised transport is essential, particularly for those using wheelchairs.

“These 150 vehicles will ensure smooth transportation for the contingents and the overall efficiency of the Para Sukma XXI,” she said.

Fatimah was speaking to reporters at a press conference after chairing the Para Sukma XXI Main Committee Meeting at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here today, which was also attended by 27 working committee members.

She added that the sporting event would also benefit from the services of Rapid KL buses as the official transport partner.

“The services provided will be free of charge, with the cost of transporting the buses covered by the Sarawak government totaling RM845,000 for round trips between Port Klang and Kuching Port.

“Forty-four Rapid KL bus officials and staff will arrive here on Sept 13 to familiarise themselves with the routes to the competition venues, and a dry run is scheduled for Sept 17,” she said.

Fatimah also disclosed that the participating contingents would be accommodated according to their respective sports at 20 hotels around Kuching to facilitate their movements.

Fifteen contingents will compete for the overall championship at the Para Sukma XXI to be held from Sept 22 to 28 across 10 venues in the Kuching division.

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 will participate in 328 events.

Para Sukma XXI will feature 10 sporting events: para athletics, para swimming, para badminton, para table tennis, para tenpin bowling, boccia, para lawn bowls, para powerlifting, para archery, and para chess.