By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 27: Sarawak’s preparations for the 2024 Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma) are in full swing, with only 27 days to go before the games begin.
Sarawak Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah updated the media that the Games will see the participation of 1,290 athletes from 15 contingents across Malaysia, namely Sarawak (213 athletes), Sabah (146), Johor (112), Selangor (100), Perak (88), Penang (81), Kedah (76), Terengganu (75), Negeri Sembilan (71), Perlis (64), Melaka (62), Pahang (57), Kelantan (48), Kuala Lumpur (33) and Labuan (64).
From Sept 22 to 28, the athletes will compete in 328 events across 10 sports, namely para athletics (134 events), para swimming (60), para powerlifting (24), para chess (23), para tenpin bowling (22), para lawn bowls (20), para ping pong (15), para archery (14), para badminton (13), and boccia (9).
“We will welcome all athletes to a dinner scheduled to be held at Hikmah Exchange, Kuching on Sept 21, followed by Para Sukma 2024 opening ceremony at Indoor Stadium Petra Jaya the following day (Sept 22).
“The Games will commence from Sept 23 to 28 with the closing ceremony to be held at Indoor Stadium Petra Jaya on the night of Sept 28,” she said during a press conference at Baitul Makmur 2 here today.
She also informed that the venues will vary, with the para athletics events scheduled to be held at the Sarawak Stadium (new building) and Sarawak State Stadium (old building), para tenpin bowling – Megalanes Emart Batu Kawa, para archery – Archery Range Petra Jaya, para chess – Raia Hotel, boccia – Dewan Persatuan Bola Keranjang Sarawak Kuching, para swimming – Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, para badminton – Dewan Persatuan Badminton Sarawak at BDC, para lawn bowls – Petra Jaya Multipurpose Arena, para ping pong – SJK Chung Hua No. 3, and para powerlifting – Multipurpose hall at Sarawak Youth and Sports Department.
She called on members of the public to come and show their support to the athletes, as entrance is free.
At the same time, Fatimah noted that the Para Sukma Supreme Committee has made changes on the requirement of minimal participation in a sports event from three states and six athletes (previous rule) to two states and four athletes (new).
On the preparation for the contingents, Fatimah stated that they will be hosted by various agencies that will serve as their respective ‘foster families’ that will manage their accommodations, transportation and meals.
“Since our athletes are those with special needs, the biggest challenge that we will face is transportation, especially when we have about 302 athletes in wheelchairs.
“However, RapidKL will provide us with 25 buses equipped with OKU-friendly features to transport these athletes throughout Para Sukma,” she added.
Fatimah also holds high hopes for the Sarawak contingent led by Deputy Minister of Community Welfare Development Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam, who is the Chef de Mission (CDM) to achieve its target of winning 83 gold medals and regain back its Para Sukma championship title.
For the record, in Para Sukma 2022, Sabah emerged as the champion with 54 gold medals, narrowly defeating Sarawak, which secured 50.
Sarawak was the Para Sukma champion 13 consecutive times, from 1994 to 2018. — DayakDaily
