KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 — The Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPM) has requested a RM20 million allocation from the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) for 2026. to strengthen the country's para sports development programme.
Its president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin said the amount is realistic following the excellent performance displayed by para athletes throughout this year, including at the recent 2025 Asian Youth Para Games (AYPG) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"For development, we need at least RM20 million. These para athletes have proven their capabilities in terms of performance and merit, so an appropriate allocation is very appropriate.
"We do not want the momentum and development of athletes to stagnate when their performance is currently on the right track. This fund should be evaluated based on merit and achievement,” he said.
Megat was speaking to the media after the handover ceremony of the games' winning incentives by automotive company Chery to AYPG athletes at the National Sports Council (MSN) today.
At the ceremony, Chery handed over RM208,000 to athletes who won medals in the games, with KBS Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari presenting the incentives.
At AYPG 2025, the national contingent achieved its best result, winning 14 gold, 13 silver, and 13 bronze medals, for a total of 39 medals.
Meanwhile, teen para swimmer Elysha Cheong Hui Yin emerged as the recipient of the highest incentive totalling RM32,000 after winning four gold medals in the S10 (physical disability) freestyle event 100 and 400 metres, the 100m breaststroke and butterfly, and a bronze in the 200m individual medley.
She described the success as an unexpected achievement, as she also managed to set personal records in each event she participated in.
"I can do better, of course. My training is probably not enough. I can do more, and I can do better personal best records, of course.
"But I am also really proud of myself because this is my first time in an international competition. So yeah, I am overall really satisfied with my results," Cheong said.
At the same time, she set a target to be among the elite para swimmers before the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games to qualify for the prestigious games.
