KUCHING: The Sarawak Para (SUKMA) Malaysia Games XXI swimming team are targeting 15 gold medals.
The Para (SUKMA) Malaysia Games will be held from Sept 23 to Sept 28 here in Sarawak.
Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said that Sarawak would compete in 51 out of the 60 swimming events in the Games.
“We are participating in 51 events out of a total of 60. This is our strategy. We want to compete in as many events as possible,” she told reporters when met at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya on Thursday.
Fatimah then shared that athletes would be able to participate in 4 individual events and 2 team events.
She added that with many athletes competing in various categories, such as visual impairment, physical impairment, and intellectual disability, the chances of winning gold medals would be higher. “If we cast a wider net, hopefully, we can catch more fish,” she said.
Fatimah also took the opportunity to give a pep talk to the athletes, encouraging them to aim for gold and do their best.
Meanwhile, the swimming team’s head coach, Syarbini Kedri, said that the training and squad preparation for Para SUKMA is currently at 80 percent. “It is two weeks until the Games, and preparations are about 80 percent complete,” he said.
For the record, the swimming events at the Para SUKMA commence on Sept 23 until Sept 25 at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya.
