Joy for para athletes even before Para Sukma starts

KUCHING (Sept 23): Athletes can have full confidence to compete in Para Sukma XXI Sarawak knowing that their events will not be dropped due to limited entries as in past editions.

Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah has assured para athletes on a number of occasions that they will not be experiencing such disappointment this time around.

This is because it was agreed at the Para Sukma Supreme Committee meeting that an event now only require participation of two states and four athletes. In previous editions, an event can only go ahead with at least six athletes from at least three states.

Expressing delight and excitement for this assurance are Sarawak para throwers Nur Atirah Voon Abdullah and Richard Bada. Both went to Kuala Lumpur two years ago hopeful of winning medals. However, their hopes were dashed upon learning that their events were dropped due to insufficient participation.

Nur Atirah, 37, who has suffered from total blindness since 11 years old, is venturing into new territory by competing in the throw events comprising discus, shot put and javelin. The former sprinter competed at the 2018 Perak Para Sukma when she won two gold medals in the 100m and 200m.

“I first joined the national para games in 2002 when l was 15 years old. At that time, the competition was known as Malaysia Paralympic Games. I competed in TT11 (total blindness) 100m, 200m, 400m and long jump,” she told The Borneo Post.

The highest point of her career was the 2016 Sarawak Para Sukma. She called it “my best achievement” as she swept three gold medals and carried off the Best Women Athlete award.

Her sentiments on the eve of this current Para Sukma are in sharp contrast from the disappointment in Kuala Lumpur two years ago.

“It feels great to be able to compete again and display my abilities. l am going for gold in the shot put and discus, and a medal in javelin. I am quite confident of doing well,” she said.

Atirah is married with three children and operates a massage centre with her husband, a former para swimmer. She represented Malaysia at the Asian Fespic New Games in Hong Kong in 2003 and won silver in 400m and bronzes in 100m and 200m.

“I am hoping to perform well in this Para Sukma and hopefully qualify for the Para SEA Games and Para Asian Games,” she added.

Meanwhile, Richard who hails from Kampung Segenan, Serian, is thrilled at the chance to represent Sarawak again in Para Sukma after being reduced to a mere onlooker at the Sukma XX MSN Kuala Lumpur 2022.

“I feel very happy and grateful to be given this chance again to fight for Sarawak and on homeground.

“I have trained very hard for the past one year and I am very confident of winning medals in this Para Sukma,” said the 2018 Perak Para Sukma gold medalist.

He is aiming to break new records with the hope to be selected to represent Malaysia at Para SEA Games and Para Asian Games.