National para athletes, PwD receive contribution from Jakel

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 -- Non-governmental organisation OKU Sentral has collaborated with the Jakel Group and the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) to help national para-athletes and persons with disabilities (PwD) who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the initiative, the Jakel Group would be contributing 700 packs of basic necessities to the target group.

OKU Sentral president Senator Ras Adiba Radzi, who represents the PwD community in the Dewan Negara, said she was saddened by the plight of some national athletes who were struggling to support their families due to the pandemic.

"Some of the national athletes are the backbone of their families to earn a living. So along with the allowance provided by the National Sports Council, we would like to support them a little more that they can help their other family members," she said at a press conference after the programme here today.

Ras Adiba said for a start, OKU Sentral and PCM distributed 250 packs of basic necessities to the national athletes, while the rest would be distributed in stages to the disabled around the Klang Valley through the relevant government agencies.

Meanwhile, Jakel Group chief strategy officer Mohd Fuad Ahmad said this was the textile manufacturing company's first collaboration with MPM and OKU Sentral, and was part of the company's corporate social responsibility programmes to help the less fortunate.

PCM president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Megat Zaharudin as well as other leaders of the council were also present.

At the event, PCM also launched the PCM Mobile Van to deliver basic necessities to the homes of national paralympic athletes.

-- BERNAMA