Curtains-up on Paralympics as S’wak aims to stay ahead in race

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Manyin (second left) with Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee (second right) in receiving a souvenir during the closing of the symposium yesterday. Also seen are Paralympic Council of Malaysia president Dato’ Subramaniam Raman Nair (left) and Paralympic Council of Malaysia vice-president Dr Radakrishnan (right).

Manyin (second left) with Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee (second right) in receiving a souvenir during the closing of the symposium yesterday. Also seen are Paralympic Council of Malaysia president Dato’ Subramaniam Raman Nair (left) and Paralympic Council of Malaysia vice-president Dr Radakrishnan (right).

KUCHING: Beyond the successful run of the Sarawak contingent in the Malaysia Paralympiad (Sukan Paralimpiad Malaysia), the state’s momentum must be sustained with a more effective approach in paraathletes scouting and development programmes.

Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Well-being Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said the paraathletes from other states are fast gaining on the state’s paraathletes.

“Don’t be complacent, we must ensure we are able to develop and encourage our current and new athletes to continue doing their best,” said Fatimah during the launch of the XVIII Malaysia Para Games symposium yesterday.

She said despite the games, which commence today (Aug 6) to Aug 10, the scouting and development of para-athletes must be an ongoing process for the next sports outing.

The new and refurbished sports facilities here are seen as a blessing to all state athletes, much so for the para-athletes who can train for competitive sports, she added.

Meanwhile, speaking during the closing of the symposium was Minister of Youth, Sports and Solidarity Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong who said the public’s perception towards PWD (people with disabilities) must be changed.

“They (PWDs) have the potential and the will (to live ordinary lives) but people are not mature enough to accept them. This makes them feel inferior in society,” said Manyin.

He also stressed that in Malaysia, if one in the family is a PWD, people tend to shy away, which has created a stigma.

“If we look at well-developed countries, they do not feel an aversion to PWDs as society regards them as equals.

It is now up to everyone in society (here) who are not disabled to start treating them equally,” he added.

On the symposium, Manyin said such initiatives are vital to create and raise the awareness on the needs of PWDs in Sarawak.

He also hoped that more PWD-friendly facilities will be incorporated in public places and shopping malls like in developed countries so PWDs can shop without any assistance.

“Our sports faci lities are however already equipped with PWD-friendly facilities which are world standard,” Manyin added.

With these facilities in place, Manyin also challenged the state para-athletes to create new games records in this edition.

Sarawak has won the title consecutively for over a decade.