File photo of Melaka’s Nurul Aminahayu competing in the women’s 100m freestyle event during the 18th National Paralympic Games in Kuching. — Bernama photo
KUCHING: All states throughout the country have been challenged to give the same priority and reward to the para-athletes as enjoyed by their able-bodied counterparts.
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the respective state governments must accord similar treatment and incentives to aid development of the special athletes especially if they triumphed in international competitions.
He pointed out that para-athletes put as much effort in to achieve success and put Malaysia on the world’s sporting map and that it is only deserving that they received rewards on par as the able-bodied sportsmen.
Khairy added that when he was appointed minister in 2013, the reward system was different, where the value received by para-athletes was only 30 per cent of the amount given to regular athletes.
He immediately instructed his ministry to change the system and now hopes that all states will follow suit.
A national athlete who wins gold in any international tournament deserves to receive the same token of appreciation, he quipped.
“When I look at the para-athletes, I don’t see their disability. I see the ability to overcome, to rise above and go beyond to prove to everybody that no matter what is the disability, handicap and obstacles, they are able perform exceptionally.
“If the recently concluded Malaysia Games was able to excite our souls, through the performance of able-bodied athletes, the para-athletes have definitely move our hearts,” Khairy said when officiating at the closing of the 18th Malaysian Paralympic Games at the State Unity Stadium here yesterday.
Also present were Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Ghani.
Khairy later presented the overall championship title to the Sarawak contingent, which won 84 gold, 63 silver and 73 bronze medals. The state has won 12 Paralympic games titles consecutively since 1994.
He also presented the Best Male and Female awards to swimmers Yoong Chung Wei from Penang and Selangor’s Lim Carmen.
In his message to the para-athletes, he said: “You’ve been told from when you were born that you are not normal and that you are not ordinary. You have worked so hard to show that you are just the same as everyone else. In fact, you are all extraordinary. You put normal to shame with your extraordinary skills and will to succeed. You demonstrated the true spirit of Malaysian sports.”
He also applauded the state for its remarkable organising of the 2016 Malaysian paralympics. “Sarawak once again has demonstrated, the best of what it is to be Malaysian.
“How you celebrate diversity, how you come together as a state, to celebrate differences, Sarawak has shown the true spirit of 1Malaysia,” he continued.
Fatimah, in her speech, said the paralympic games had taught the people to see that there are no challenges that cannot be overcome.
The para-athletes have shown great commitment, determination, true grit, exemplary perseverance and honourable spirit of real sportsmanship.
“This games have given us all an opportunity not only to appreciate and be thankful for what we have as normal individuals, but also get us to realise, recognise and acknowledge the remarkable achievement of others who are less fortunate.
“Our paralympiad athletes have to work and train extra hard to overcome all adversities, be it physical, social, mental or emotional to be selected to represent their respective states. Thus, they truly deserve our support, praise and adulation,” she remarked.