KUALA LUMPUR, 2 July – The Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) deserves a pat on the back for taking the initiative to organize a seven-sport (team) international championships early next year – a much-needed competition for the athletes after Manila ASEAN Para Games were canceled.
MPC president, Datuk Seri Megat D. Shariaman Zaharudin said the East Malaysian city of Kuching will host the championships in March and the dates will be fixed once the green light is given by the International Paralympic Council.
The seven-team championships are expected to line up athletics, archery, tenpin bowling, tandem cycling, judo, seven-a-side CP football and swimming.
The cost of the championships is expected to be around RM4 million with strong support from the Sarawak state government.
Megat Sahriman said the championships will serve a dual purpose after the cancellation of the Manila Asean Para Games due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
It will help the teams prepare for the Hanoi ASEAN Para Games and also the Tokyo Paralympics.
As for Malaysian athletes, it will also be the perfect platform for them to prepare for Sukma Johor which also had to be postponed to next year.
The Sukma Para Games will be held in Johor from April 5-10. The Tokyo Paralympics are scheduled from Aug 24-Sept 5. The ASEAN Para Games in Hanoi are earmarked to be held in October.
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