KUCHING: The 2022 Malaysian Para Sports (Sukma) Games in Kuala Lumpur witnessed a surprising outcome as Sarawak failed to defend their championship for the 14th time.
The unexpected cancellation of several sporting events at the last minute was identified as a key factor behind Sarawak’s inability to secure the title.
In a remarkable feat, Sabah emerged victorious, claiming 54 gold medals, 34 silver and 31 bronze, surpassing Sarawak’s second-place finish with 47 gold, 45 silver and 48 bronze.
Sarawak Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah expressed her disappointment and highlighted the impact of the event cancellations on Sarawak’s performance.
Due to these cancellations, Sarawak missed the chance to compete in certain events, resulting in a potential loss of gold medals.
She stressed that despite some sports initially having registered participants from other states, lower-than-expected participation led to the cancellation of these events.
This last-minute decision dealt an unfortunate setback to Sarawak, showcasing the challenges in organising inclusive sporting events on a large scale.
“We lost to Sabah because there was an event that we could have won gold, but it was cancelled. Our athletes had trained and had the potential to win gold.
“Nevertheless, the games showcased the remarkable achievements of Para athletes from across Malaysia, and reinforced the significance of ensuring equal opportunities and support for all participants in future editions,” she said.
Looking ahead to the future, Fatimah emphasised the need to remove age restrictions when selecting athletes, taking inspiration from the Asean Para Games, where age is not a limiting factor.
“The Sarawak government envisions a platform that provides equal opportunities and support for athletes with disabilities,” she told the media at the launch of a talent identification session for Para Sukma 2024 here on yesterday (July 24).
“Talent identification sessions have been scheduled at various locations in Sarawak to discover and nurture talented athletes from special schools, integration programmes, and local communities.
“The ministry aims to advocate for at least two athletes to be allowed to participate in an event, even if they register from another state. Additionally, there is a focus on increasing the representation of women athletes, recognising their pivotal role in strengthening the state’s overall performance.”
