The national contingent is targeting to win 15 gold medals at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, which will take place from October 6 to 13.
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced the target at the handing over of the Jalur Gemilang to the Malaysian contingent to the 2018 Asian Para Games at the Malaysia Paralympic Sports Excellence Centre in Kampung Pandan on Monday.
Although the target was the same as the achievement in Incheon, South Korea in 2014, he said it was not impossible for the national contingent to achieve more than targeted.
"This target is made after having a discussion with the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPM), the National Sports Council (MSN) and the National Sports Institute (ISN).
"But with the blazing enthusiasm of the athletes and in terms of preparation, I am confident they can do better," he told reporters after the ceremony officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Syed Saddiq said the national contingent would be banking on the athletics events, tenpin bowling and badminton to bring home the gold medals.
"The main focus is definitely on our para-athletes like Ridzuan Puzi, Ziyad Zolkefli and Abdul Latif Romly," he said.
Meanwhile, Syed Saddiq also had good news for the national para-athletes about the equality of rewards between para-athletes and able-bodied athletes.
"It's a good policy to maintain that the para-athletes’ rewards are the same as normal athletes," he said.
Syed Saddiq also sought cooperation from the media to provide the same coverage to the national athletes as when covering the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang last month.
"We admit they are extraordinary, so the coverage should be extraordinary," he said.
Earlier in his speech, Syed Saddiq praised the athletes as national fighters who opened the eyes of all Malaysians that disabled athletes could also shine internationally.
"I know how difficult it is to go through various obstacles to bring home the gold from the Paralympic Games.
"I hope their blazing spirit will be brought to Jakarta," he said.
In terms of the safety of athletes following natural disasters that struck Indonesia recently, Syed Saddiq said the organisers had guaranteed the security of the para athletes as the sites of the recent earthquake and tsunami were far from competition venues.
The national contingent of 139 athletes comprising 110 men and 29 women would take part in 15 of the 18 sporting events contested.
The para athletes would also be assisted by 83 officials comprising coaches and support staff.
Bernama
Tue Oct 02 2018
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