Top two finish enough for us, says Khairy
KUALA LUMPUR: A top two finish will do for Malaysia in the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games, said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“Our target is to win 103 gold medals and the best is at least a second place finish,” said Khairy after inspecting the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MiTEC) – one of the cluster venues for the Games – in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
He said their projection was based on the Malaysian contingent’s showing at the 2015 Para Games in Singapore, where it finished third with 52 gold, 58 silver and 37 bronze medals – our best ever showing outside Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia emerged overall cham- pions in 2001 Kuala Lumpur with 135-79-87.
Khairy said unlike the SEA Games, Malaysia had to be realistic as Thailand and Indonesia were the top contenders for the overall title.
“I believe once our para athletes surpass the 103 gold target, we can then aim higher.
“We have home ground advantage and the supporters to cheer our athletes, and I can see that our para athletes are in high spirits, too,” he said.
Khairy said the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games will also be more disabled-friendly.
He said all preparations were going according to plan and the venues were ready for competition.
Khairy said new ramps and elevated platforms, as well as special services – with shuttle buses at every venue – have been put in place.
“I am pleased with the modifications carried out at MiTEC. It is more OKU (disabled)-friendly now.
“This will provide better access for the para athletes and OKU to enter the competition venues dur- ing the Games.
“We have prepared ramps with wheelchair facilities. They will also have better access to transportation and parking.
“We have increased more OKU toilet facilities in MiTEC and also at Kuala Lumpur Sports City in Bukit Jalil,” said Khairy.
A total of 326 athletes and 167 officials will be involved in 16 sports at six cluster venues – Kuala Lumpur Sports City in Bukit Jalil (main), MiTEC, the National Tennis Centre at Jalan Duta, Sunway Mega Lanes at Sunway Pyramid, the National Velodrome in Nilai and Putrajaya.
They will be involved in 16 sports – archery, athletics, badminton, boccia, chess, cycling, football five-aside, CP football (seven-a-side), goalball, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, bowling, wheelchair tennis and wheelchair basketball.
Last month, Malaysia emerged overall champions of the 29th KL SEA Games with 145 gold, 92 silver and 86 bronze medals.