Happy ending:

Athletes making a grand entry during the closing ceremony of the 9th Asean Para Games at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. >

KUALA LUMPUR:

In the Asean Para Games’ spirit of inclusivity, Malaysians of all walks of life came together at the closing ceremony to lend their support to the country’s athletes.

“I came here to give moral support to my boy,” said Sapura Ramdhan whose son Muhammad Firdaus Aiman Khairuddin, 16, has dwarfism. She has it too.

“I want him to see the athletes and their achievements so that he will do his best someday, too,” she said outside the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here yesterday.

The 45-year-old tailor said she and Muhammad Firdaus looked up to the para athletes who were making a name for themselves and the disabled communities.

Sapura’s friend, wheelchair-bound Noor Lizah Salman, won a gold medal in the bowling women’s singles TPB8 category.

As for Lai Yun Han, an athlete who has represented Selangor in rhythmic gymnastics, attending the closing ceremony with her mother and younger sister was “important to support our athletes”.

The 16-year-old enjoyed the efforts of the athletes at the Para Games athletics and swimming events.

“They’re really special,” she said, adding that she was proud of them.

Noor Raihan Che Li said she was excited at seeing the athletes’ determination.

“I’m very proud of Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi, who managed to win a gold medal despite suffering from dengue,” she said.

The 37-year-old from Semenyih was referring to Mohamad Ridzuan’s win at the 200m T36 (celebral palsy) race.

Noor Raihan has a nerve condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome that leaves her needing a wheelchair to get around.

“These games are a platform that allows disabled people to perform at a level that is on par with ordinary people,” she said.

She singled out para athletes Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli and Abdul Latif Romly, who were able to compete in the SEA Games against their ordinary peers.

For engineer Mohamad Sharif- uddin Ezham, 31, and his two friends, they were excited at seeing the national athletes first hand and cheer for them.

“They took a long time to train and finally got to this point. They are an inspiration to us all,” said Mohamad Sharifuddin.

Businessman Azhari Ibrahim, 47, said the athlete he looked up to was shuttler Madzlan Saibon, describing him as “very hardworking”.

“They show us true commitment to ensure victory for our country.

“We are so proud of them,” added Mohammad Arif Aiman Mohd Ridzuan, 36.