KUCHING, Aug 28: Paralympic athletes in the Tokyo Paralympic will be given incentives for their great achievement.
According to Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, in a statement today, Malaysians are extremely happy with Sarawak-born powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin’s achievement in delivering a gold medal for Malaysia.
Fatimah said, before departing to Tokyo on Aug 4, 2021, her ministry had organised a Zoom meeting with all five of the Tokyo Paralympic athletes from Sarawak and they are very inspired and motivated to win for Sarawak and Malaysia.
“I’ve told Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg regarding Bonnie’s achievement, and he said they (athletes) would be given incentives for their great achievement at the Federal level, as well as the State level,” said Fatimah.
Meanwhile, Fatimah hoped the achievements of the Paralympic athletes would open the public eyes, especially Sarawakians, to not judge them by their disabilities.
She pointed out that the public should not only look at their disabilities but also their potential and abilities.
“Let us provide better accessibility and opportunities for them, in terms of infrastructure, intervention and rehabilitation, education, training in sports, culture, arts and employment.
“We want Sarawak to be a socially inclusive society with no one being sidelined,” she said.
Today, 22-year-old Bonnie won the first gold for Malaysia in the men’s 72kg competition of the Tokyo Paralympic 2020.
Bonnie also broke the Paralympic record by lifting 228kg (deadlift), which was 1kg more than the previous record held by Rasool Mohsin of Iran. — DayakDaily
