Returning the favour to our Paralympians

TODAY marks the conclusion of the Paris Paralympic Games, and Malaysia has good reason to celebrate – two gold medals.

The country received a belated National Day present when Cheah Liek Hou secured Malaysia’s first gold medal on Monday, winning the men’s singles badminton title, defending the gold medal he won at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

And on Friday, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin’s performance in the men’s 72kg event saw him powerlifting an extraordinary 217kg, shattering records and cementing his status as one of the world’s premier athletes in his field.

This was also his second medal, following Gustin’s gold in Tokyo.

Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli just missed out on a gold in shot put, winning a silver, while Eddy Bernard brought home the bronze in the men’s 100m.

We are so very proud of everything our Paralympians have achieved, and applaud every single one for making it to Paris.

But will we remember them once the spotlight is switched off? It is no lie that non-disabled athletes tend to get more of the limelight even in between events.

But para-athletes are not just athletes; they are role models and living, breathing examples of triumph over adversity, demonstrating that excellence can be achieved regardless of any type of limitation. And that is something we must nurture and support.

When Khairy Jamaluddin was Youth and Sports minister, he took significant steps to level the playing field for Malaysia’s Paralympians, allocating equal funding and resources for para-sports and sports for the nondisabled.

It was a bold move that sent a clear message: Paralympians deserve the same opportunities, facilities and recognition as their able-bodied counterparts.

Many believe this funding has directly contributed to the stellar performances of our para-athletes over the past few years, fostering a generation of sportsmen and women who do not see themselves as different but as equals on the international stage with their able-bodied counterparts.

To continue producing world-class athletes like Gustin, we need a long-term, sustainable strategy to cultivate and nurture talent from a young age.

This means expanding access to facilities, coaching and training for disabled athletes nationwide, especially in rural areas where resources are often scarce.

It also means fostering a societal shift in how we view disabled athletes – not as exceptions but as integral members of our sporting community who can inspire and lead.

The government, in collaboration with the private sector and educational institutions, should prioritise creating an inclusive environment where para-athletes are encouraged from the grassroots level.

Initiatives like funding for parasports clubs, scholarships for young disabled athletes and the construction of accessible sports facilities will go a long way in ensuring that Malaysia remains competitive internationally.

Beyond the realm of sport, Malaysia’s Paralympians can inspire change in society at large.

Their stories of overcoming adversity and breaking boundaries offer hope not only to aspiring athletes but also anyone facing challenges in life. Their achievements show that limitations are often only perceived and that with the right support, anyone can break through barriers, like long jumper Abdul Latif Romly, the last Malaysian competing in Paris today.

The 27-year-old, who holds the world record distance of 7.64m and has already won two gold medals from two previous games, is aiming for his third straight victory – not to mention breaking his own by leaping and soaring even further.

Whether he medals or not, the effort is a fitting end to Malaysia’s journey at the Paris Paralympics.

Let us all wish him well and remember him and his fellow athletes when they return home and go back to their daily lives – where they will no doubt continue to inspire us if we’re paying attention.