Melaka Plans Sports Event For Special Children

MELAKA, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government plans to introduce a sports event for special children starting next year, as part of efforts to expand existing sports development programmes.

State Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman, Datuk VP Shanmugam, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh had recently called for the introduction of sports dedicated to this group.

He said the new initiative would give children with Down syndrome and other disabilities the chance to take part in sporting activities suited to their abilities.

“At present, Melaka already holds three major events – the Melaka Games, the SUK Games (State Secretary’s Office Games) and the Uniformed Bodies Games. From next year, we plan to add the Special Children’s Games,” he told reporters here today.

Shanmugam said the state government would also work with associations representing special children to identify suitable sports events and collect data on participants before launching the programme officially.

“As a start, we plan to organise it at the state constituency level. If the response is good, it can be expanded to parliamentary and national levels as well,” he said.

He said the initiative would not only encourage children with special needs to participate in sports but also help build their confidence and foster a spirit of inclusion in society.

-- BERNAMA