JERANTUT – Muhammad Aqil Naufal Zahiran’s left leg was amputated in 2015 due to a bacterial infection, but that did not stop the gutsy boy from competing in and completing a 100m race recently.
With support and encouragement from his teacher, the 12-year-old, a student in the Inclusive Education Programme (PPI) at SK Felda Lepar Utara 1, here, hopped to the finish line during the semi-finals during the Jerantut school district.
His teacher, Zulaikha Jusoh, 35, ran alongside, encouraging him all the way to the end.
Aqil, the eldest of two siblings, said he joined the race after his teacher rallied him to do so.
He said he attended four days of training before the big day.
“I felt really nervous before and during the race, but I was determined to reach the finish line.
“My greatest concern was that my pants were almost falling off,” he said.
Zulaikha said before the race, she told Aqil that she was not pressuring him to win and only wanted him to participate.
“I decided to run alongside Aqil as a form of encouragement,” she said.
Aqil’s mother, Noor Hafizah Mat Desa, 36, was not able to watch him race but received pictures and videos of his race from his teachers.
Hafizah said she is proud of her son and that he is her greatest motivator.
Netizens congratulated the boy for his achievement and said they were also touched by the teacher’s support.
They thanked the teacher, saying such good educators will shape resilient and tenacious students. – The Vibes, August 29, 2023
