SEPANG - After the end of the Olympics, it is now the time for the country’s para athletes to battle for Malaysia’s honour at Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games from Aug 24 to Sept 5.
The first group comprising two officials and five cyclists departed from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Japan this morning.
Meanwhile the second group of 15 individuals, headed by chef de mission Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin, will leave with the swimming and table tennis squads, National Sport Council (MSN) Paralympic Department director Mohd Sofian Hamzah as well as staff of the National Sports Institute (ISN) tonight.
A flag-off ceremony was conducted by MSN deputy director-general (Strategic) Suhardi Alias at the Departure Hall.
"We want to do our very best once arrive in Japan. So far, there are no symptoms, Insya Allah all is okay. We will be undergoing saliva test upon arrival and every day while we are there.
"I have reminded athletes that everybody is equal in the field, so go give your best, as this is a top platform, and they're very focused," said Megat.
The largest group of 28 athletes and officials comprising the archery, athletics, boccia, powerlifting, and wheelchair tennis squads as well as ISN officers are scheduled to leave on Saturday while the badminton squad of three will leave on Tuesday.
Malaysia will be represented by 22 para athletes in nine different sports at the Paralympics after the record breaking achievement of three gold medals and a bronze through athletics in Rio 2016 which is the best showing since the championship was first held in 1972.
For this edition, the national contingent is targeting three gold medals.
Bernama will be covering the events and channelling the latest developments on our para heroes and heroines from Tokyo during the Games.
List of Malaysian athletes to Tokyo 2020 Paralympics: Athletics: Abdul Latif Romly; Muhammad Ziyad Zokefli; Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi; Wong Kar Gee; Siti Noor Lasah Mohamad Ariffin. Cycling: Mohamad Yusof Hafizi Shaharuddin; Muhammad Hafiz Jamali; Zuhairie Ahmad Tarmizi; Nur Azlia Syafinaz Mohd Zais; Nurul Suhada Zainal. Swimming: Brenda Anelia; Muhammad Nur Syaiful Zulkefli; Jamery Siga. Archery: S. Suresh; Wiro Julin. Badminton: Cheah Liek Hou; Didin Terasoh. Boccia: Chew Wei Lun. Powerlifting: Bonnie Bunyau Gustin; Jong Yee Khie. Table Tennis: Chee Chaoming. Wheelchair Tennis: Abu Samah Borhan. - Bernama. August 20, 2021
