ATHLETES URGED TO RIDE ON KL2017 SUCCESS
KJ hopes Malaysians will stand tall at Asean Para Games
FARAH AZHARIE farahazharie@nst.com.my
FOLLOWING Malaysia’s success in becoming overall champions at the recent Kuala Lumpur Sea Games (KL2017), Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has urged the Para athletes to stand tall and perform to the best of their ability.
“Now is the time for our Para contingent to show what they are made off, no matter how high or how low they stand next to the Sea Games contingent.
“We want the momentum of the nation’s pride and joy from the success of Team Malaysia at the Sea Games to continue onto the Asean Para Games, so show the world what we’re made of,” said Khairy who met the para athletes at the Seri Pacific Hotel as they prepare for the ninth Asean Para Games which begins in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 17.
Khairy urged the athletes to look at the 103-gold medal target as a “projection” and strive to match the accomplishment of the Sea Games where the target was exceeded by 34 gold medals.
Two years ago in Singapore, Malaysia finished third overall with 52 gold, 58 silver and 37 bronze while the target was 50 gold.
Khairy added that while Malaysia have famous names such as Paralympians Ridzuan Puzi, Abdul Latif Romly and Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli, it should not hinder the others from striving for excellence.
“I am sure there are plenty of athletes on the Malaysian contingent who are equally as good, if not, better.
“Athletes such as Fraidden Dawan, Carmen Lim and Mohd Nor Saiful in swimming, Wong Kar Gee in the T12 100m and long jump as well as Didin Terasoh in badminton, too, have their special abilities.”
Khairy added that the Asean Para Games will be used as a “measuring stick” for the national contingent for the Asian Para Games next year.