OKU athletes make 2017 SukSar ‘unique’ — Ong
KUCHING: Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee said Sarawak is unique in that it is the only state that organises a sports event that have able bodied and Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) athletes competing together, though in their own respective events.
He was referring to the recently concluded 2017 Sukan Sarawak (SukSar).
“I don’t think there is such thing happening in the other states in Malaysia.
“SukSar also creates more wanted, recognised and qualified classifiers in Sarawak from each zone and division for the OKU which will promote paralympic sports.
“The local classifiers will ensure that paralympic athletes will be classified according to their respective categories for each event and sports,” he added.
Ong, also Sarawak State Sports Council director, said SukSar will also help in the development of technical officials and coaches for paralympic sports.
With more competition such as SukSar, the government is able to identify more local talented athletes, coaches, technical officials and classifiers.
SukSar will also help ensure that para sports equipment and venues are upgraded and sufficient for their preparation and also for future international events.
“During SukSar, we have also conducted courses especially for para coaches, technical officials and also classifier courses conducted by the national sports associations and the Malaysian Paralympiad Council.
“SukSar will also ensure a holistic preparation for paralympics sports in Sarawak towards the direction and vision to be a sports powerhouse in paralympic sports,” said Ong.
With the recent developments in SukSar, Ong said Sarawak are making preparations to organise local, national and international paralympic events in the near future.
“For example, we were recently successful in the bidding for the World Swimming Para Championship in 2019.
“This will give more opportunities for local talented para swimmers to participate in the championship to be held in Kuching,” he added.