Sarawak eyes 14th Para Sukma title to bolster powerhouse status

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Fatimah (front row, fourth right), officials and participants pose for the camera.

SIBU: Sarawak will go all out in the 2020 Para Sukma in Johor this August to defend the title it has won in every edition since 1994.

“We want the title for the 14th time,” said Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women and Childhood Development Dato Fatimah Abdullah when opening the Para Table Tennis Workshop here yesterday.

“Sarawak has been the powerhouse of Para Sports in Malaysia. We have been overall Champion for 13 consecutive times (from 1994 to 2018) … Our para athletes have continually demonstrated qualities such as resilience, strength, and courage through their rigorous training and competitions.

“Sarawak has (also) produced champions at International level in Para Sports,” she added.

A total of 180 athletes, 80 team and 40 supporting officials will make up the state contingent for the Johor Para Sukma.

Meanwhile, Fatimah was happy to note that Sarawak Para Ping Pong Association has taken the initiative to hold the workshop to equip participants with the knowledge of coaching athletes with disability, how to avoid and manage injuries.

The workshop participants comprised OKUs, coaches, teachers, officers from Welfare Department, officers from Youth and Sports Department, umpires and volunteers.

The minister also disclosed that her ministry will be organising a State level Special Olympics State Games here from July 24 to 26, a biennial event of sports and healthy activities for special-need athletes.

Sarawak will also send some 60 athletes and 40 officials to the 2020 Malaysia Sports for the Deaf (Sopma) in June.

“The team aims to be among the top three winners,” Fatimah revealed.

Among those present at yesterday’s event were Youth and Sports Department Sarawak assistant director Abu Zaid Abu Bakar, the ministry’s early childhood development division head Salina Bujang, OKU sports development unit administrative officer Matthew Chin Hiong Choi, Special Olympics Sibu Chapter secretary Chew Siok Cheng and Sarawak Para Ping Pong Association chairman Anthony Jong.