Participants in onion peeling contest.
KUCHING: Sarawak Society for the Blind (SSB) needs to close the digital gap between members in Sarawak and their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia.
National Council for the Blind Malaysia (NCBM) president Dato Dr Hsiung Kwo Yeun said the matter is urgent as more and more blind people look forward to being gainfully employed.
“The nation’s blind community is lagging behind in technology and all available avenues and opportunities must be taken to help them,” he said when closing the SSB sports carnival on Saturday night at a hotel here.
Group photo after the closing ceremony. — Photos by Muhd Rais Sanusi
He did not deny the SSB is having financial constraint but commended individuals and private corporations for their donations all this while.
Dr Hsiung said ICT is the window of opportunities for the blind. NCBM will continue to cooperate with Orang-Orang Buta Malaysia (MAB), Pertubuhan Orang Cacat Penglihatan (SBM) and St Nicholas Home.
‘Chick Box’ competition in progress.
“We are committed to train the blind as without ICT knowledge and skill, the blind could not land jobs. I hope that one day they would be capable of handling gadgets with advanced technology,” he added.
NCBM Sarawak branch vice president Ying Ten Ping said 70 blind participants competed at telematches and games at SSB sports carnival held at the blind centre in Jalan Ong Tiang Swee here on Friday.
Ying who is also SSB chairman said the society will continue to motivate the blind to take up sports for health and general wellbeing regardless of age.
“Sports is good for their self-esteem and confidence besides health benefits. This biennial sports carnival helps to unearth talents for Paralympic,” he said.
The overall champion was SSB Kuching which collected 135 points to beat NCBM Sarawak (77 points), SSB Miri (30) and SSB Headquarters to fourth place (28 points).
Also present was SSB Sports and Recreational unit chairman Siau Ging Lock.
Donny Jeranding (second right) from SSB Miri receives his prize from Dr Hsiung (second left) witnessed by Siau (right) and Ying.