By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 12: Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah has called for an urgent review of the recently introduced age eligibility limits and participation quota policies for the 22nd Para Malaysia Games (SUKMA) Selangor 2026.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, Fatimah noted that changes made during the Supreme Council for Para Sports meeting on Jan 29 in Kuala Lumpur, specifically regarding age eligibility and participation quotas, were announced at a critical stage of athlete preparation, with immediate and significant implications.
“The newly enforced age bracket of 12 to 40 years effectively disqualifies many senior para-athletes across Malaysia who are actively training, medically certified as fit, performance-ready, and have previously contributed medals at Para SUKMA and international competitions.
“This decision places these athletes at a substantial competitive disadvantage and jeopardises their realistic medal prospects, including golds, at Para SUKMA 2026,” she said during a press conference at her ministry on Wednesday (Feb 11).
More importantly, she added that it would undermine the fundamental principle that para sports should be inclusive, merit-based, and athlete-centred.
Fatimah stressed that age alone is not a reliable indicator of performance in para sports.
“The sudden exclusion of these athletes disrupts team cohesion and sends a discouraging message to those who have dedicated years of effort, discipline, and personal sacrifice to represent their state.
“We respectfully but firmly assert that policy changes of this magnitude must not penalise athletes already deep into an approved training pathway. At the very least, transitional or exceptional provisions should be granted to athletes preparing under previous eligibility rules.
“We therefore urge the relevant authorities to immediately review the age limit policy, consider exemptions for athletes in long-term preparation, and ensure that future decisions uphold fairness, athlete welfare, and competitive integrity,” she called on.
She emphasised that para-athletes deserve clarity, respect, and protection from abrupt policy changes that threaten their careers and the credibility of para sports governance.
“The development of para sports must remain rooted in equity, transparency, and recognition of athlete contributions, anot administrative convenience,” she added. — DayakDaily
