KUCHING: Sarawak is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring its Para SUKMA athletes are well prepared and train safely ahead of the 22nd edition of the Games in Selangor.
Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said close monitoring of the athletes’ intensive training was important to ensure they remained mentally, physically and emotionally prepared for the competition.
She said the visits were aimed at monitoring preparations and engaging with athletes, coaches and team managers ahead of the contingent’s departure for Selangor on September 1.
“Today is the second series of our visits to the Para SUKMA athletes. We have previously visited the swimming, athletics and tenpin bowling teams.
“Today, we are visiting the archery and powerlifting teams, followed by badminton and boccia,” she told reporters today during her visit to the powerlifting training session.
Fatimah said the visits were part of the state’s efforts to monitor the final phase of intensive training and ensure everything was progressing smoothly before the contingent heads to Selangor.
“We want to ensure that the spirit and morale of the athletes remain high, and also make sure they are training in a safe environment,” she said.
She added that training arrangements would also be adjusted according to weather and environmental conditions, particularly when haze readings were high.
“If the haze readings are high, they will be confined more to indoor training. These are the things we want to ensure are properly managed during the final preparations,” she said.
Fatimah expressed satisfaction with the commitment shown by the athletes, coaches and team managers, saying she had observed a high level of enthusiasm and dedication during the training sessions.
She also stressed the importance of addressing any issues promptly, even if they appeared minor.
“If there are small problems, we need to resolve them quickly. What is important is that mentally, physically and emotionally, they are ready and well prepared for the 22nd Para SUKMA,” she said.
Fatimah is scheduled to continue the visits after returning from Dalat on Saturday, with two more sports teams expected to be visited as part of the final monitoring process.
The 22nd Para SUKMA will be held in Selangor from September 5 to 10.
