Perak Special Olympics ID Meet Targets 500 Young Athletes With Intellectual Disabilities

IPOH, June 26 (Bernama) -- A total of 500 athletes with intellectual disabilities, aged between eight and 16, are expected to take part in the Perak Open Special Olympics ID Athletics Championship 2026, which will be held at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Gunung Rapat here on July 11.

Ipoh Recreational Wellness Association (PPRSI) chairman Shanker Retinam said the inaugural championship is being organised in collaboration with Perak Community Specialist Hospital (PCSH), Special Olympics Perak and the state Education Department (JPN) as a platform to nurture sporting talent among individuals with intellectual disabilities.

He said more than 300 athletes had registered so far, with participation expected to reach 500 before registration closes on July 5.

“As of today, more than 300 athletes have registered, and we expect that number to continue rising. However, we have capped participation at 500 to ensure the smooth running of the championship.

“Apart from contingents from across Perak, we have also received entries from four other states - Pahang, Penang, Negeri Sembilan and Putrajaya,” he told a press conference here today.

Shanker said the championship will adopt a divisioning system, with athletes classified according to their ability and current performance to ensure fair competition by matching participants of similar standards.

Events for the intellectual disability category include the 100m, long jump, shot put and 4x100m relay, while athletes with intellectual disabilities and lower physical functioning will compete in the 50m, standing long jump and softball throw.

Participation is free to encourage more special education students to take part and earn co-curricular merit points.

Meanwhile, PCSH chief executive officer Nicholas Chan said the community hospital’s involvement forms part of its commitment to promoting community health through high-impact social programmes.

“Since 1904, PCSH has served as a non-profit community hospital. We believe healthcare is not limited to treatment but also encompasses education, prevention and community support.

“Through programmes such as this, we hope to raise public awareness of the importance of healthcare and encourage healthy lifestyles,” he said.

He added that throughout the championship, PCSH will also provide free health screening services to the public, alongside a range of side activities, including aerobics sessions.

-- BERNAMA