There’s no keeping Ras Adiba down
From shooting to swimming to regaling crowds, TV anchor demonstrates iron will
KUALA LUMPUR: TV news anchor Ras Adiba Radzi came within a whisker of qualifying for the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games.
The 49-year-old lost by two seconds in the selection trial to win a place in the swimming team but it has not stopped her from being part of the Games starting on Sunday.
The pretty face on the wheelchair will be one of the emcees during the opening and closing of the Games, along with actress Ida Nerina, who is also wheelchair-bound, and Datuk Aznil Nawawi.
Ras Adiba, who became a paraplegic after a series of ill-fated inci- dents, including a car accident in 1995 and an assault in 2001, continues to demonstrate a will of iron.
She competed in the shooting event at the Singapore SEA Games in 2015 but the sport was not included in the KL Games.
Instead of conceding defeat, she switched from shooting to swimming and turned her focus on training for the last five months.
“I had to compete with all the younger athletes. I’m a dinosaur!” said Ras Adiba laughing.
“I tried my best but I lost by two seconds! That’s a cruel way to miss the cut but that’s sports. We have to accept defeat and move forward.
“I wish now for my teammates to have a splashing time. I know what sacrifices they have made because I trained with them.
“We had to get up early and train for long hours. There’s so much work put behind the scenes.
“It’s not only the swimmers but the whole Malaysian contingent that has worked hard.”
Ras Adiba, who also heads OKU Sentral, a non-profit organisation for the disabled, wants to continue being a voice for the community.
“I’m terribly excited about this Games. I’m confident that the Malaysian contingent will score more than the 103 gold medal target set for this Games.
“They’re an amazing group of athletes,” she said.
“The word impossible does not exist for para athletes. They can do anything if they set their mind to it. It’s a calling.
“I do hope that the para athletes will inspire others. I hope people will come and throw their support behind our outstanding athletes.”
On her role as an emcee, she said: “It’s an honour to be part of this big event.
“It’s monumental for the opening and closing to be held in a huge stadium (the Main Stadium in Kuala Lumpur Sports City). Usually, it’s held in huge halls or ballrooms.
“I’m looking forward to do the emcee job with Ida.
“It’ll be a spectacular opening ceremony led by two babes on wheels!”