Fatimah (standing ninth right, first row) and Harden (behind her) with Kokus sports participants and officials at the Unimas Sports Complex yesterday.
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The inaugural Karnival Orang Kurang Upaya Sarawak (Kokus) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) was officially launched during a ceremony officiated by Special Olympics Sarawak president Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah yesterday.
Organised by the Special Olympics Sarawak, more than 500 people with special needs are currently taking part in the carnival which comprises Sports, Ablympics and Special Talents competitions, which started on Nov 23 and will end on Nov 27.
“This carnival will bring together all ‘Orang Kurang Upaya’ (OKU) – people with disabilities in the state to display their special talents, in sports, singing or dancing and other skills,” she said when speaking to reporters after the ceremony.
Fatimah, who is Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development said Kokus is also a platform to identify new talents and groom them for Paralympic Games.
“We are very serious in preparing for the Paralympic Games in Johor next year because we want to maintain our record as overall champions.
“I am very glad that our athletes have done very well in the Paralympic Games because they have brought honour to the state and country,” added Fatimah.
Among others present during the ceremony was Assistant Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis.