KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 — Seventeen national athletes have confirmed their tickets to the 2024 Paralympics in Paris from August 28 to September 8, said Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin.
He expects to know the exact number of the Malaysian contingent on June 20 as several others are still trying to qualify for the Paralympics.
“We are targeting 24 athletes to qualify for Paris and eyeing four gold medals. The athletes who have confirmed their places in the Paris Paralympics are from track cycling, badminton, boccia, athletics, archery, swimming and powerlifting,” Megat told the press today.
More athletes are expected to qualify for the Paris Paralympics in boccia, swimming, and athletics.
Malaysia, represented by 22 athletes in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, returned home with three golds and two silvers.
Earlier, Megat represented PCM in signing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with the Malaysian Deaf Sports Association (MSDeaf) and Special Olympics Malaysia (SOM) to enhance cooperation and voice for the sports movement of disabled persons.
MSDeaf and SOM were represented by their respective presidents, Ong Shin Ruenn dan Bong Koi Sin.
Following the agreement, the three entities aim to submit proposals to the government for five to ten years regarding PwD sports development.
“I believe 30 per cent of the PwD community are sports enthusiasts. We want them to be treated equally and not feel marginalised,” he said.
— Bernama
