S’wak para shuttlers out to win three events

KUCHING (Sept 10): The Sarawak badminton squad is targeting three gold medals at the Para Sukma starting here on Sept 22. They are hoping to repeat or surpass their performance at the 2022 edition held in Kuala Lumpur.

The team is under the guidance of coaches Suhaili Laiman, a former national para shuttler, and Jong Djiu Tji, who specialises in working with para athletes. They are currently undergoing rigorous training at the Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) hall here.

“Preparations are going well but we must stay focused at all times to achieve our goals. We must never be over-confident,” said Suhaili in an interview at the SBA hall today.

Suhaili specified that the gold medals are targeted at the women’s singles, mixed doubles and WH2 (wheelchair).

He revealed that the team exceeded its target of two gold medals and ended with three at the previous Para Sukma. This has given cause for optimism in the forecast this time.

“We were grateful to perform above expectations last year and we hope to do even better this year,” said Suhaili.

The squad of 15 players include four new faces.

Nursyazwani Shahrom, who was one of the gold medalist in 2022, is also feeling optimistic.

“I want to win again and I also hope that I can do even better than at the previous Para Sukma,” she said.

Meanwhile, coach Jong is looking for new stars to emerge from the team this year.

The coach, who was originally from Singkawang in Indonesia, was assigned by the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development to assist the team.

“I’ve trained para athletes (for many years) to international standards and I hope to uncover new talents with this team,” he said.

Badminton in the Para Sukma features six classifications – SL3, SL4, SU5, SH6, WH1 and WH2 – to help ensure fair competition by grouping players with similar functional abilities.

The SL3, SL4, SU5 and SH6 categories are for standing athletes with lower limb, upper limb and short stature impairments while the WH1 and WH2 are wheelchair categories, classified based on the level of trunk and lower limb impairment.

This year’s Para Sukma games will take place from Sept 22 to 28 with 328 events in 10 sports to be contested among 15 state contingents.