Amirudin Hopes Para SUKMA Athletes Will Go On To Become World Champions

SHAH ALAM, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has expressed hope that Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) 2026 athletes will progress to higher levels and eventually become world champions.

He said this was Selangor's objective as the host by limiting participation to the under-40 age category to keep the national para sports ecosystem dynamic and foster competitive new talent for the international stage.

"Even if an athlete is not from Selangor, the state is still proud because that talent was nurtured at Para SUKMA 2026," he said when officiating the closing ceremony of the games at the Selangor International Trade Centre (SITC) here tonight.

Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.

Amirudin said the participation of 1,352 para athletes nationwide competing in 10 sports carried deep significance for Selangor as the host state.

He noted that despite prudent spending for the Games, the state government ensured all contingents took home a special experience.

He also expressed admiration for the athletes' spirit, noting that they persevered even when haze hit at the start of the competition.

"Winning and losing are part of competition. Having last hosted the Games 28 years ago in 1998, I see that the level of competition has evolved significantly," he said, while encouraging non-winning athletes to keep striving as their sacrifices are deeply appreciated.

Earlier, Selangor created history by emerging as overall champions for the first time since Para SUKMA was introduced in 1982.

Selangor topped the medal tally with 93 gold, 55 silver and 52 bronze medals, surpassing their initial target of 60 golds.

Sabah finished as runners-up, while Sarawak coming in third.

-- BERNAMA