COSTLY EQUIPMENT

Athletes could not afford blades, special wheelchairs

JUGJET SINGH jug jet@nst.com.my

ATHLETICS delivered the highest number of gold medals for Malaysia in the Asean Para Games, and there could have been a bigger haul, if not for costly equipment.

Many of the track, as well as field events at the National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Sports City, did not have Malaysians in the starting line-up because of costly equipment.

But still, the nation’s plucky athletes delivered 36 gold, 27 silver and 30 bronze to finish second overall.

Indonesia were crowned champions with 40 gold, 28 silver and 17 bronze while Thailand were third overall on 26 gold, 33 silver and 31 bronze.

And of the Malaysian contingent, athletics came out tops with 36 gold, cycling second with 22 gold, bowling third with 11 gold and swimming fourth with nine gold.

“We have people who can be trained to become blade runners as well as wheelchair athletes but the equipment costs too much and that’s why Malaysia did not have athletes in both the events.

“We lost out on valuable medals in both the categories,” said Para athletes chief coach R. Jeganathan.

The blades are manufactured in Thailand and the Unites

States and depending on length, one can cost about RM40,000.

And the special wheelchairs needed for ‘sprints’ start from RM20,000.

Indonesia and Thailand had many blade runners as well as wheelchair sprinters who contributed to their overall gold tally.

Thailand are the traditional powerhouse in athletics, but surprisingly Indonesia became the overall champions as they are also preparing to host the Asian Para Games next year.

“One really has to be close with the ‘system’ to search for disabled people who have the potential to become successful athletes.

“I believe Indonesia came really well prepared to overcome Malaysia and Thailand to become champions because they also want to impress at the Asian Para Games which they will host next year,” said Jeganathan.

As for Malaysia, Jeganathan will use the tried and tested method again.

“With the help of schools, welfare department and other bodies which help disabled athletes, we get in touch with potential athletes and rope them in for training.

“And those who finish out of the medal bracket but have age on their side, will also be retained to help them become better.

“At these Games, there are four new discoveries with Thavanesvaran the most impressive,” said Jeganathan.

S. Thavanesvaran, 18, became the sprint king of the Asean Para Games by winning three gold and one silver in his debut.

The 18-year-old from Segamat won the 100m, 200m and 400m gold and silver in the 4x100m to become the only Malaysian track athlete to win three gold medals.