Five Sarawak athletes are national backup at the Paris Paralympic Games

TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: The world powerlifting champion from Sarawak, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin is once again backed by the hope of the country to defend the gold medal at the Paris Paralympic Games from 28 August to 8 September 2024.

Sarawak Deputy Community Welfare Minister Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam said Bonnie is one of the five Sarawak athletes who will challenge the country at this Games.

He said, the other four athletes are powerlifting athletes Jong Yee Khie and Nicodemus Manggoi Moses, boccia athlete Abdul Razzaq Abdul Rahman and swimmers who made their debut at the Paralympic Games, Mohamad Nur Saiful Zulkapli.

"There are five athletes selected to represent the country at the Paris Paralympic Games. Bonnie is one of our targets for a gold medal.

"In addition, Nur Saiful is also our target to win a medal at the Paralympics this time.

"These five athletes are our hope to continue the legacy of our athletes winning gold or champions at the world level."

Datuk Mohamad Razi said this to UKAS after representing the Minister of Women, Children and Community Welfare, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah paid a courtesy call on the Kuala Lumpur WP Youth and Sports Department (JBSWPKL) on Tuesday.

The courtesy visit aims to invite the WP Kuala Lumpur contingent to participate in the Para SUKMA XXI Sarawak Games from September 22 to 28.

Speaking further, he who is also the Head of the Para Sarawak Contingent explained that the state government through his ministry always strives to highlight disabled athletes (OKU) in sports games such as Para SUKMA and the Paralympics.

"We have many talents that we can hone to a higher level.

"We are very proud to be able to give birth to the world champion in powerlifting which is Bonnie Bunyau who is now selected to represent Malaysia in France," he said.

Regarding Para SUKMA XXI, he said all contingents are expected to arrive in Kuching on September 20.

He said, the Sarawak contingent set a mission to emerge as the overall champion in this edition.

The SUKMA XXI Sarawak will compete in 10 types of sports that will be held in the Kuching Division only.

It will involve approximately 2,470 athletes competing in 334 sports events.

The sports that are contested at the biennial games are Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Ping Pong, Tenpin Bowling, Boccia, Lawn Bowl, Powerlifting, Archery and Chess.

Also present were Deputy Secretary to the Sarawak Government and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SUKMA XXI Sarawak Datu Hii Chang Kee, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Community Welfare Sarawak Datu Felicia Tan Ya Hua, Director of the Sarawak Social Welfare Department Semawi Mohamad, Director JBSWPKL Mohd Nizam Ismail, JBSWPKL Deputy Director (Sports) Mohammad Pauzi Paiman and other guests. - UKAS edition