Fatimah (second left) chats with 14-year-old Ashaari Mohd who suffers from cerebral palsy since birth while Dr Annuar (left) and others look on.
SIBU: Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah will be tabling a proposal to the state government for Special Olympics Sarawak athletes to be accorded incentives.
According to Fatimah, who is president of Special Olympics Sarawak, these athletes had done the country and Sarawak in particular proud, having achieved good results in the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Los Angeles, United States, from July 25 to Aug 2.
“Although we only sent four athletes from Sarawak to join the Malaysia Special Olympics contingent, which had bigger number, they contributed two of the six gold medals haul; two silvers from the eight silver medals won, and three bronze medals.
“This is a big event where some 7,000 athletes took part with 3,000 coaches from 177 countries.
“I will table to the (state) cabinet (the proposal) to provide incentives for our children who have brought glory to Malaysia, and Sarawak in particular.
“We hope the state government will approve our proposal to provide incentives to our children from Special Olympics Sarawak from Miri, Sibu and Kuching divisions, who had taken part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Los Angeles, United States, from July 25 to Aug 2,” she told a press conference after officiating at the Special Olympics Healthy Project – Family Health Forum at Agape centre here yesterday.
The forum was organised by Special Olympics Sibu Chapter, with the Ministry of Health, SEGI College and Sibu Lions Club as co-organisers.
The forum is sponsored by Special Olympics International.
Others present at the press conference were Special Olympics Sibu Chapter chairman Jason Tai, Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee and Association for Children with Special Needs Sibu secretary Dr Toh Teck Hock.
Fatimah noted there was another tournament called Paralympics Games but held within Malaysia, in which the team from Sarawak became champions 11 times.
“The state government previously also consented to the request to provide incentives to those athletes whom had participated in Paralympics Games in Perlis.
“The recognition is similar to that given to those athletes for example, Sukma,” she disclosed.
Meanwhile, Dr Annuar announced that the inaugural unified games would be held this year.
“It will be five-aside,” he said.
Dr Toh chipped in, saying the games would combine people with intellectual disability and those with normal intellectual.
He suggested that the inter-school football completion of the games be called ‘YB Dr Annuar Challenge Cup’.
“Dr Annuar has just committed to do something for Special Olympics Sibu Chapter.”