Committed coaches, teachers behind Kuching Chapter athletes’ awesome showing

Facebook
X
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Kuching Chapter poses for a group photo.

LET’S READ SUARA SARAWAK/ NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE E-PAPER FOR FREE AS ​​EARLY AS 2 AM EVERY DAY. CLICK LINK

KUCHING: Behind the stellar performance of the Kuching Chapter at the 7th Special Olympics Sarawak State Games 2025 is a team of committed teachers, coaches, and companions who are dedicated in training and caring for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Kuching Chapter head of delegation (HoD) Ruhana Bujang was proud of her team’s hard work and the achievements of their 26 athletes, supported by 26 officials and herself as HoD.

“We are aware that the children being trained are not easy to train, especially those with Down Syndrome and autism and on average, they took quite a long time to train.

“So, for the two to three days of the competition, it seems that the teachers or coaches and companions were able to manage these children, staying together at the sport village.

“I am proud of all the coaches and companion who were involved throughout the competition,” she said when met by reporters during the 7th Special Olympics Sarawak State Games 2025 closing ceremony officiated by Minister of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development (KPWK) Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah at Hikmah Exchange Convention Centre (HEEC) last night (Apr 4).

See also  Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin win US Open  

Among the greatest challenges, she said, was managing behaviour during long days at the competition venue as they can become restless, angry, and even have tantrums.

“But the coaches and companions are very committed to calming them down, using various methods to encourage these children to stay until the end of the events.

“The Down Syndrome category is indeed quite challenging, but once trained, these children are actually easy to handle. They will follow any instruction from the coach,” she added.

According to Ruhana, the sporting events that contributed the most medals for Kuching Chapter were ten-pin bowling and swimming. Remarkably, all the swimmers sent this year were new athletes.

“In swimming, we had many participants, and this time we sent a lot of new athletes. All the athletes who participated in swimming were new.

“In Special Olympics, it’s not about beating the stronges as athletes compete in divisions based on their abilities.

See also  Nur Aisyah focuses on Paris 2024

“That’s why when the organisers ask for initial records, we keep them and, if time permits, go through a ‘divisioning’ process to ensure fair competition,” she said.

She also urged more parents, educators, and PPDK centers to expose these children to sports and inclusive activities.

“Because activities like these bring joy to the children, as they can meet friends outside of their usual environment.

“On average, we rarely have low-functioning athletes participate, not like the Paralympics, which are highly competitive.

“So, for the Special Olympics, we mostly bring low-functioning, medium-functioning, and high-functioning athletes and InshaAllah, we hope to see even more participation by 2027,” she added.

She said that the focus is on exposing the low-functioning athletes because this event is an opportunity for them to interact with friends from outside their area.

Looking ahead, Ruhana confirmed that plans are underway to potentially send athletes to Special Olympics Malaysia National Games, which will be held in Ipoh, Perak, in June, though final decisions are pending.

Related News

Most Viewed Last 2 Days

PWN-seize-1905-nts-1
Pursue STEM studies at IPTs, Sagah urges Bidayuh youth
KCH-FAS presidency-1905-gl -1
Minister wants smooth, democratic FAS leadership transition
Kch-misstasikbiru pageant-1905-P1
Aspiring teacher wins Miss Tasik Biru crown
KCH-silat -1905-gl(T) -1
Sarawak silat team strike gold at Semangat Jebat tournament
ed-HAR-Eugenia makes a Bronze debut in International Pickleball
Scraped Hands, Strong Heart: Bronze for Eugenia