By Nazli Ibrahim
SHAH ALAM, Oct 22 — Selangor is aiming for 76 gold medals in the upcoming Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma), which will be held in Kuala Lumpur from November 1 to 6.
Selangor State Youth and Sports Department director Azura Sarbin, who is also the head of the state contingent to the biennial sporting event, said the state para-athletes would also try to achieve at least sixth place in the Games compared to eighth place in the previous 2018 Para Sukma in Perak.
“The achievement recorded by the Selangor para-athletes had been encouraging in the past few years. In the 2014 Games held in Perlis, the state contingent brought home 30 medals and was in 11th place.
“In 2016, they went up two places and won 38 medals and in 2018, they brought home 61 medals,” said at the flag-handing ceremony for the 20th Selangor Para Sukma contingent at the Nexus Regency Suites and Hotel in Section 27, here yesterday.
During the event, Selangor State Sports Council (MSNS) director Muhamad Nizam Marjugi handed over the flag to Azura, who leads the contingent represented by 96 athletes and 46 escort officers.
The Games will see 10 sporting events, namely athletics, archery, badminton, powerlifting, swimming, table tennis, field bowling, boccia, chess and tenpin bowling, with 294 medals up for grabs.
The disability categories include physically impaired limbs, vision impairment, spasticity and mental disability.
Meanwhile, Muhamad Nizam said MSNS is prepared to support the para-athletes in their preparation for various competitions, including Para Sukma.
“The state MSN not only conducts training but also assists with coach allowance payments,” he said.
