KUCHING: Four Sarawak Special Olympics (Sarawak SO) athletes will represent Malaysia at the 2026 East Asia Regional Bowling Competition in Hong Kong from September 4 to 7.
The four athletes are Mohamad Najib Salmi, Nelson Donny Sunny and Siti Hamidah Sabri from SO Kuching, and Vanessa Nisha Siok from SO Miri.
Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said their participation would provide valuable exposure while allowing them to develop confidence, skills and friendships internationally.
She said the Special Olympics provides individuals with intellectual disabilities opportunities to participate in sports throughout the year, helping them develop their abilities beyond competition.
“For the Special Olympics, having the courage to step forward and become an athlete is already an achievement because some people do not have the courage to come forward,” she said.
She said this during a press conference on Special Olympics Sarawak departing to East Asia Regional Bowling Competition Hong Kong 2026 at Level 8, Baitulmakmur 2 here today.
Fatimah said the Special Olympics philosophy, “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt”, emphasised courage and participation rather than focusing solely on winning.
She said athletes should also use the international platform to meet participants from other countries and build friendships that could continue after the competition.
“It is not only about winning, but also about making friends. This is important because it can improve our quality of life,” she said.
The Sarawak contingent also comprises team manager Dayang Mariani Abang Zain, coach Chen Hui Se and Unified Partner Mahamad Rizuan Madzhi.
Fatimah said the Malaysian contingent consists of four athletes from Sarawak and four from Selangor, supported by two coaches from each state.
She said athlete selection was based on development and performance assessments through participation in state and national-level competitions.
“The National Games allow us to assess their performance, and from there, selections can be made for the next level. That is part of an athlete’s development,” she said.
The contingent is scheduled to depart for Hong Kong on Friday and return to Malaysia on September 9.
