KUCHING: The 7th Sarawak Special Olympics 2025 concludes today, bringing together 358 special athletes who competed over the three-day sporting event.
Sarawak’s Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, expressed her gratitude that the event’s objectives were achieved, particularly in allowing intellectually disabled athletes to participate in sports.
She said such events also strengthen athletes in terms of talent and potential development, while helping to discover new talents.
“Alhamdulillah, we’ve discovered many new talents, and in appreciation of their efforts, we presented all athletes with tokens of recognition: medals for the winners, and pins for those who did not win.
“This is a mark of appreciation for their courage to try, in line with the Games motto, ‘Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt’,” she said after the track and field event at the Games held at the Sarawak State Stadium in Petra Jaya today.
She added that the Games also empowered children and individuals with special needs, giving them hope and a renewed sense of purpose in life.
“Through their participation, special athletes also get the chance to socialise, make new friends, and reunite with old ones in a positive and joyful environment,” she said.
Meanwhile, Fatimah also highlighted the vital role of parents throughout the sporting event, offering their unwavering support for their children’s involvement.
“Some parents even volunteered as helpers, contributing their expertise in technical aspects or other areas.
“It is a great opportunity, and as such, our outstanding special athletes this time will also represent Sarawak at the Malaysian National Special Olympics Games in Ipoh, Perak, this June,” she added.
For the record, the seventh edition of the Sarawak Special Olympics, organised by the Special Olympics Kuching Chapter from May 2 to 4, will also see its closing ceremony held tonight at the Hikmah Exchange, Kuching.
This year, the Games featured seven events: athletics, football, swimming, bocce, table tennis, and ten-pin bowling.
The athletes represented five main divisions in Sarawak: Kuching, Miri, Sibu, Bintulu and Kota Samarahan.
