Support for sports for disabled opportunity to empower them: Fatimah

KUCHING: Suggestions and input from the chef de missions (CDMs) or contingent leaders from each state should enhance preparations for the 21st Para Malaysia Games (SUKMA) Sarawak 2024.

Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said this year’s Para SUKMA will feature 334 events.

She hoped all the events can be executed after the athlete shortlisting process is complete.

“I always remind the public and members of society that sports for people with disabilities (PWD) are not just for producing athletes for our country, not just for our support development, but we must remember that support for PWD is an opportunity to empower them,” she said.

She was speaking during the welcoming dinner for the chef de mission, technical delegation leaders, and competition managers of the 21st Para SUKMA Sarawak 2024 in Kuching on Aug 7.

Earlier, in his speech, Deputy State Secretary of Sarawak (Operations) cum chief executive officer of SUKMA and the 21st Para SUKMA, Datuk Hii Chang Kee said the event will involve 1,518 Para SUKMA athletes, including 49 support athletes and 788 technical officials.

“We have seen that more than 2,000 people will gather in Sarawak for Para SUKMA by September, participating in 334 events.

“We will ensure, just like SUKMA, that all 334 events can achieve the required number of participants so that the athletes who are ready will not be disappointed due to a lack of events,” he added.

Also present were Community Wellbeing Development Deputy Minister and Sarawak CDM Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam; Women and Childhood Development Deputy Minister Datuk Rosey Yunus; Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Permanent Secretary Datuk Felicia Tan Ya Hua; and Sarawak Social Welfare Department director Semawi Mohamad.