ALL CHAMPIONS: Minister for Welfare, Women and Family Development, Datuk Fatimah Abdullah (centre) together with the state track and field squad in a photocall after presenting incentives to them. — Photo by Saiful Bahari
Long term planning needed for state contingent to remain as sports powerhouse in country — Fatimah
KUCHING: Sarawak will be making early preparations to retain its title for the coming national Paralympiad following their record breaking feat at last year’s event in Kuantan, Pahang where it won for the 10th consecutive time.
Minister for Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah who is also state’s contingent head said a long term plan is needed for Sarawak to remain as the powerhouse for Paralympiad in the country and perhaps in the region.
According to her, there were several strategies which can be adopted such as having a well-planned strategy, setting up of an excellence centre for athletes at every division and having qualified coaches to monitor athletes’ performances.
Fatimah continued by saying a talent identification and scouting programme can also be undertaken with the aim to groom and train future champion athletes who may be attending special schools, or community rehabilitation centres (PDK) throughout the state.
“The state should also look at venturing into new categories such as cycling, wheelchair tennis, football, and futsal too as it can reward additional medals,” she said during the appreciation dinner held recently.
On the need to have a sustainable budget for the programme to succeed, Fatimah called for the state paralympians to be allocated sufficient funds more or less similar to that given to the Sukma squad.
“This is because they (paralympians) had proven their capabilities by winning the title for the 10th consecutive time,” she said to the applause of the state paralympians who attended the function. “We should also look at hiring good coaches too because it is the basis of producing capable athletes,” the minister said on the need to have good and qualified coaches who can train athletes in better systematic ways.
EXEMPLARY: Minister for Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah who is also state’s contingent head presenting a special award Jenny Liew Jia Qi for her outstanding feat in the recent 52nd Paralympiad held at Kuantan, Pahang. Other athletes who received similar awards were Julius Jeranding Fraidden Dawan and Catherine Timpang who helped Sarawak to defend its title for a record 10th time.
During the function, special awards were handed to Julius Jeranding, Jenny Liew Jia Qi, Fraidden Dawan and Catherine Timpang for their outstanding performances in their respective categories.
The state contingent, comprising of 235 individuals consisting 173 athletes, 20 coachs, and 42 officers participated in nine out of 17 events.
Apart from being the overall winner, the state also bagged the “Best State Contingent” trophy and “The Exemplary Spirit” trophy after winning the most medals.
Athletes were rewarded with RM1,000 for each gold, RM700 for each silver and RM500 for each bronze medal won at their respect events.
Also present were state Welfare Department director Noriah Ahmad.