SEPANG, Aug 7 — The national contingent to the 11th Asean Para Games (APG) in Solo, Indonesia, received a heroes’ welcome upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) today.
The 70-strong contingent was greeted by Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk Jana Sathiran Muniayan and National Sports Council deputy director-general Suhardi Alias after their 2 pm Malaysian Airlines MH8753 flight landed safely at KLIA at 4.30pm.
National shot putter Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli, powerlifter Bryan Junnecy Gustin and Brenda Anellia Larry were among those seen being greeted by their families along with Paralympic Council of Malaysia president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin and chef-de-mission Col (R) Md Nor Azam Ariffin.
Muhammad Ziyad won the first gold medal at the Games in the men’s shot putt F20 event, while Brenda Anellia won the gold in the women’s 100 metre (m) breaststroke SB4 (physical disability).
The national contingent finished fourth overall with a haul of 36 gold, 20 silver and 14 bronze medals at the Games that took place from July 30 to August 6.
Meanwhile, Jana Sathiran said the ministry and the NSC would conduct an in-depth analysis of the achievements at the 11th APG Games in Solo, Indonesia to improve on the country’s standings at the 12th Asean Para Games (APG) in Cambodia and the 2023 Asian Para Games in China.
“The ministry, together with the NSC and the Paralympic Council of Malaysia, will focus on training because, in less than 10 months, our athletes will face the APG in Cambodia.
“So we want thorough preparations, identify weaknesses and how we can improve the medal position for the country in these 10 months,” he said, adding that the ministry would groom talented junior athletes to boost their chances of future successes.
Returning chef-de-mission Md Nor Azam shared that he was optimistic that the athletes would perform better following their success at the recently concluded APG, adding that their performance at the Games would serve as a benchmark for improvement.
— Bernama
