Merit of inclusive sports

IN today’s society, inclusive education for children with special needs is a hot topic. Any initiative and programme that promotes fully inclusive education for these children is always welcome.

We also wish to see such efforts to extend beyond classroom education and into everyday activities such as sports. Inclusive sports can be carried out more often and will benefit all involved, able-bodied or otherwise. We can save a lot of money organising different events with the difference of “para” and “typical” athletes. With inclusiveness, with the same volunteers and venues and at the same time, we can have two events going on; same effort, double rewards!

In this regard, as a team official and a swimmer respectively, we are proud to have taken part in the recent Sukan Sarawak I 2017 held in Kuching between Dec 14 and Dec 17 last year. It was a wonderful sports event that was done in an inclusive way. Sukan Sarawak, which aims to identify young and potential athletes to represent the state in national and international competitions, featured 14 standard events and four para events for those with disabilities. Since it is for competitors aged 19 years and below, the majority of the athletes were teenagers still attending school. We salute the organisers’ far-sightedness and courage to treat all athletes, with or without disabilities, equally during the preparation and throughout the competition. This is a great achievement and a big step forward in building an inclusive society in the state.

In Sibu, swimmers with or without disabilities trained in the same pool, sometimes under the guardianship of the same coach. Before departure, Resident Hii Change Kee eloquently briefed all athletes in Kingwood Hotel, including the 19 who took part in the four para sports. For the first time, we saw athletes taking part in para events were buddies by our side, receiving the same treatment and hospitality. Everyone was given the same number of sports gear with the same design. Everyone regardless of their abilities stayed in the same hotel. The next day, all athletes from the Central Zone contingent departed together in seven big coaches.

Upon arrival in Kuching, all athletes checked into the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Quarters with similar standards of accommodation and were provided with the same type of meals. For the official opening and closing ceremonies, it was really fantastic when the para athletes were not separated but grouped under the same zone flag, displaying the full spirit of inclusion.

The para events and standard events flowed smoothly. People who anticipated problems with the “inclusive” approach and were concerned that it would significantly lower the standards of the competition must have been surprised.

Another highlight of the competition was the unique medals, designed in traditional Iban shield style, with the event’s name and cultural carvings on them. We were glad that every winner received this unique medal.

However, there were still grounds for improvement throughout the event. Although the organisers did a fantastic job on inclusiveness, the physical access should be improved by providing more ramps, wider passageways and obstacle-free access for people with disabilities in the sports arena, accommodation and transport.

The quality of the public announcements could be improved for clarity, too. If we are going to include athletes with hearing and/or visual impairments, we need to improve the overall quality of communication.

Volunteers need to be briefed and even trained on the needs of individuals with disabilities and various ways of assisting them.

We applaud again the effort of the organisers to run this event inclusively for all athletes, making it a great achievement for everyone. A big “Ooo-haa” for Sarawak and God bless the organising chair, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, the secretary Dr Ong Kong Swee and their committee members/volunteers. We sincerely hope all major sports events in future in the state, and for that matter the whole nation, would be conducted with full inclusiveness and that necessary support be provided for the safe participation of all athletes. We hope the central committee of Sukan Malaysia 2018 in Perak and other sports authorities will be able to emulate what Sarawak has done to ensure an inclusive society for all. TOH AW ZIEN SUKSAR I 2017 gold medallist in 50m and 100m backstroke events/student of Woodland International School, Sibu PROF DR TOH TECK HOCK Vice president, National Early Childhood Intervention Council/ consultant paediatrician