KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — Four national para swimmers have already qualified for the Paris Paralympic Games 2024, scheduled to be held from Aug 28 to September 8 next year.
Paralympic Council of Malaysia (MPM) president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin said the four are Zy Kher Lee, Muhammad Nur Syaiful Zulkafli, Brenda Anellia Larry and Imaan Aiman.
“It is tough for our athletes to book tickets to the Paris Paralympics because the qualifying tournaments are very competitive. I hope our athletes would not wait until the last minute to beat the qualifying marks,” he told reporters at the launch of Manic Ride Studio here today.
Meanwhile, he said the national athletes’ preparations for the 12th Asean Para Games (APG) in Cambodia from June 3-9 were proceeding smoothly.
“MPM and our para athletes started preparing for the games six months ago, and I believe our athletes can win more medals than their haul from the last edition in Solo, Indonesia.
“We have a bright future due to our new back-up athletes and good talent development. I believe new stars will emerge at APG and the Paris Paralympics 2024,” he added.
At the Solo games, Malaysia, despite being represented by a small contingent of 73 athletes, performed brilliantly to bring home 36 gold, 20 silver and 14 bronze medals to finish fourth overall.
He said the Cambodian Local Organising Committee had given an assurance that Malaysia’s contingent of 140 para athletes to the games would be accommodated in one hotel.
The Malaysian contingent is expected to leave for Phnom Penh beginning May 28. — Bernama
