By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Aug 8: Sarawak para athletes are set to get more than 60 gold medals for the 2021 Para Sukma Games in Johor next year.
Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the state’s para athletes will be expected to face the challenge of bringing home as many gold medals as possible, especially in the fields and tracks events.
“Last year we managed to grab a total of 78 medals, and 61 of were gold medals. The target for the next Para Sukma is to get more than that,” she told reporters after attending the state’s para athletes training session held at the Youth and Sports Complex here today.
Fatimah noted, however, that the medal tally would depend on the fitness of the para athletes.
“Realistically, we will set the goal. But generally, the target is to become the overall champion through the fields and tracks category, apart from others as well,” she added.
Fatimah also disclosed that a total of 158 para athletes and 54 sports officers will be playing an important role in defending Sarawak as the champion for the Para Sukma (13 times since 1994).
According to Fatimah, this includes the task to become the champion for the Malaysia Deaf Games (Sopma), which will be held in July, next year.
“As of now, some of the teams (10-pin bowling, powerlifting, badminton, table tennis and fields and tracks event) have started their training in preparation for the national competitions, namely the 2021 Para Sukma, and Sopma 2021.
“At the same time, plans are still being work out for other categories such as swimming, lawn bowls, chess and boccia, to enable them to train normally as soon as possible,” she stated. – DayakDaily.
