Golden trio picked as flag bearers for Asean Para Games

Three Rio Paralympics heroes – Ziyad Zolkefli, Abdul Latif Romly and Mohd Ridzuan Puzi – have been give the honour of being Malaysia’s flag bearers at the 9th Asean Para Games from Sept 17-23.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that this is in recognition of their gold-medal feat at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics in September last year.

“We have three world champion flag bearers for the KL SEA Games and we decided to have three for the Asean Para Games as well,” said Khairy.

The SEA Games flag bearers are diver Cheong Jun Hoong, cyclist Azizulhasni Awang and silat exponent Mohd Al-Jufferi Jamari.

Ziyad, who won gold in the F20 (learning disability) men’s shot putt

It has been a fantastic year for me – winning at the Rio Paralympics and the world meet. Ziyad Zolkefli

in Rio, was honoured to be one of the three flag bearers.

“It gives me great pride to carry the Jalur Gemilang as this will further boost my confidence to give my best at the KL Games and also the Asean Para Games,” said Ziyad.

“I did well at the world meet in London to win gold with a record 17.29m. Now, I want to be the first para athlete to win gold against able-bodied athletes in the SEA Games," said Ziyad.

“It has been a fantastic year for me – winning at the Rio Paralympics and the world meet. I hope to continue to shine for Malaysia.”

Abdul Latif won gold in the F20 (learning disability) men’s long jump and he too will feature in the SEA Games and the Aean Para Games.

Ridzuan was the first Malaysian athlete to win gold in the T36 (cerebral palsy) men’s 100m at the Rio Paralympics.

Malaysia Canoe Association (MCA) president Datuk R. Subramaniam is the chef de mission for the Asean Para Games.