Nothing but the best
Our para athletes ready to reap reward of their sacrifices
PETALING JAYA: Some are born with defects. Some sustained life-altering injuries. Each with a different heart-breaking story.
But when the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games begin today, expect nothing but whole-hearted efforts from our para athletes as they seek to dethrone overall champions Thailand.
The ninth edition of the Games will start today with a vibrant, colourful and pomp opening ceremony at the National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur Sports City in Bukit Jalil.
And Malaysia’s 324 athletes will proudly march into the stadium with one thing on their mind – to fight all the way to surpass the 103-gold medal target and end the country’s 16-year wait for the overall title.
It looks like a Herculean task as Malaysia have emerged overall champions only once – at the inaugural 2001 Games in Kuala Lumpur. The mighty Thais have done it six times while Indonesia have pulled it off once in 2014.
But the lion-hearted Malaysian para athletes know nothing is impossible. Who is to say they won’t be able to emulate their able-bodied athletes’ astounding achievement in Kuala Lumpur SEA Games just two weeks ago.
National Sports Council (NSC) Paralympic branch director Mohd Safrushahar Yusoff is upbeat about Malaysia’s chances.
“Thailand are the favourites. They have more world champions and defending champions in their team,” said Safrushahar.
“The bulk of their boccia team are worldclass athletes.
“They’re a powerhouse in athletics, especially the wheelchair races.
“But I know that our para athletes have put in the hard work.
“It’s time for them to reap the reward of their sacrifices. I’m also hoping that some of the young talents will step up.
“It’s our home show. I believe we’ll do well in cycling, athletics, swimming and bowling.”
Safrushahar expects athletics to deliver 40 gold medals, cycling 14, bowling 13 and swimming eight. That’s 75 gold medals – or 72% of the overall gold targeted.
Malaysia will also compete in 12 other sports – archery, badminton, boccia, chess, football 5-a-side, football 7-a-side, goal ball, powerlifting, volleyball, table tennis, wheelchair tennis and wheelchair basketball.
Malaysia chef de mission Datuk Subramaniam Raman Nair said that the cycling accident involving the national team prior to the Asean Para Games has lifted the morale in the contingent.
“It was a wake-up call to the team. Suddenly, all eyes were on us. I know many cried looking at the photos of our fellow athletes lying on the road helplessly after the accident,” said Subramaniam.
“It has fuelled the fire in each of us. I’m confident that this will be one of the best-ever Para Games.”
Leading Malaysia’s challenge in the Asean Para Games are the four medallists from last year’s Rio Paralympics in athletics. Sprinter Ridzuan Puzi, shot putter Ziyad Zolkefli and long jumper Mohd Latif Romly won gold medals while Siti Nor Radiah Ismail clinched a bronze in women’s long jump.
All eyes will also be on Incheon Asian Para Games silver medallist Jamery Siga in swimming, World Para Track Cycling Championships bronze medallists Afiq Afify RizanKhairul Adha Rasol, badminton world champions Cheah Liek Hou-Hairol Fozi Saaba, Didin Terasoh and bowler Choo Kam Chan.
In Singapore two years ago, Malaysia won 52 golds, 58 silvers and 37 bronzes to finish third behind Thailand (95-76-79) and Indonesia (81-74-63).
The stage is set. It’s now up to our para athletes to show their mettle.