SUBANG JAYA, Sept 3 — Para SUKMA’s 10 venues are centred in the Petaling and Klang districts to facilitate the movement of around 4,000 athletes and officials during the tournament, to be held from Saturday to September 10.
State executive councillor youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi said the two districts were chosen after considering para athletes’ needs and distances between competition venues and athlete accommodations.
“Our purpose in only involving these two districts isn’t to play favourites, but to facilitate athlete coordination and movement as (their accommodation) must be close to competition venues,” he added when met at the SAY Aspire awards ceremony here yesterday.
He also said the Selangor contingent’s preparations for Para SUKMA are going smoothly, and that he will meet athletes today to express his support.
“We hope athletes do their best and make the achievements of their friends who won SUKMA overall a benchmark.
“It could be a bit a pressure for them but it is also a challenge for them to prove their ability and advantages, as this is the first time Para SUKMA athletes are being managed by the Selangor State Sports Council (MSNS) instead of the state Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) branch,” he explained.
Najwan said Para SUKMA athletes have received the same support as their SUKMA counterparts, including in terms of training, sponsorship, equipment, logistics, and incentives.
“This reflects the Selangor government’s concern and we uplift the disabled community, especially athletes, so they can do their best,” he added.
He also said arrangements have been made to ensure athletes’ health and safety amid the haze, with most Para SUKMA events to be held indoors and only certain events like athletics being held outdoors.
“For now, we are closely monitoring weather and haze updates, and last week we actually had a special meeting chaired by the state secretary about the haze.
“If the haze worsens and affects athlete health and safety, we might coordinate the schedule,” Najwan said.
