KUCHING: Sarawak is heading to Selangor with one clear objective – to defend its Para Malaysia Games (Para SUKMA) title for a 15th consecutive time.
Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the state’s 383-member contingent would carry the hopes of Sarawakians when the 22nd Para SUKMA takes place from Sept 5 to 10.
“We are going to Selangor not to surrender the championship crown, but to defend it,” she said during the Sarawak contingent flag handover ceremony at the Raia Hotel and Convention Centre on Monday (Aug 10).
Sarawak will compete in 10 sports offering 338 events, with the contingent targeting 70 gold medals in its bid to retain the overall title.
Fatimah said the campaign would be driven by the spirit of “One Spirit, One Team, One Mission” as Sarawak looks to build on its dominant showing at the 2024 Games, where it reclaimed the overall championship with 82 gold, 53 silver and 74 bronze medals.
She said preparations have included centralised training, exposure competitions, performance monitoring, sports science support, athlete welfare programmes and coaching development.
“All these initiatives are carried out with one single goal – to ensure the Sarawak contingent arrives in Selangor well prepared physically, mentally and strategically,” she said.
The preparations were further reinforced through the Sarawak Para Contingent Motivation Camp and Countdown Programme held on Aug 4 to strengthen athletes’ confidence, unity and commitment ahead of the Games.
The contingent, comprising athletes and officials, is scheduled to depart for Selangor on Sept 1 before returning on Sept 11.
Sarawak will compete in para athletics, para swimming, para powerlifting, para lawn bowls, para ten-pin bowling, para archery, para chess, para badminton, boccia and para cycling.
Fatimah expressed confidence that Team Sarawak would rise to the challenge and bring the Para SUKMA crown home once again.
