KUCHING – A special gathering took place at the Pullman Hotel on Wednesday evening to formally recognise the remarkable achievements of Sarawakian athletes in recent national and international sporting events. The “Touching Hearts Changing Mind” appreciation ceremony served as a platform for the state government to reward the dedication of its disabled sports community.
Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah binti Mohd Sanusi attended the gala to officiate the proceedings. Her presence highlighted the administration’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive sports programmes across the region and providing visibility for competitors overcoming physical and intellectual challenges.
Several high-ranking cabinet members joined the celebration to support the athletes. Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, who holds the portfolio for Women, Children and Community Wellbeing Development, was present to welcome the guests of honour alongside her deputies, Datuk Hajah Rosey Haji Yunus and Datuk Haji Mohamad Razi bin Sitam.
The administration was also well-represented by senior civil servants. Datu Felicia Tan Ya Hua, the Deputy Secretary to the Sarawak Government for Administration, attended alongside heads of various social welfare and family departments. Their collective attendance underscored the multi-agency approach taken to support special needs athletes in the state.
The primary focus of the evening was the celebration of the state’s Special Olympics contingent. These competitors recently secured the overall championship title at the sixth iteration of the National Games held in Bintulu late last month.
During the late April tournament, the regional team delivered an extraordinary performance against competitors from across the country. They amassed a total of 176 medals, dominating the competition with an impressive haul of 56 gold, 68 silver, and 52 bronze medals.
To commemorate this sweeping victory, representatives of the victorious squad formally handed over the championship trophy to Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah during the dinner. This gesture served as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the state’s top-tier standing in accessible athletics.
Beyond domestic victories, the event also shone a spotlight on international triumphs. Earlier in the year, 31 local competitors were selected to join the national Malaysian squad for the 13th ASEAN Para Games hosted in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Facing stiff competition from across Southeast Asia over the multi-day meet in January, the regional representatives delivered highly commendable results. Their performance abroad has been praised as a significant milestone for disabled sports development within the state.
In recognition of these international feats, the state government disbursed financial incentives to 19 athletes who brought home medals from the Thailand games. This monetary reward system aims to assist athletes with training costs and personal expenses, ensuring they can continue to compete at a professional level.
A notable recipient of the evening’s financial rewards was para-swimmer Rusdianto Rusmadi. Following an exceptional showing in the pool where he secured two golds, four silvers, and a pair of bronze medals, the government awarded him an incentive package totalling RM22,000.
Amidst the sporting celebrations, the itinerary included a brief nod to recent civic events. The guest of honour was invited to lead a cake-cutting segment designed to commemorate Mother’s Day, adding a communal and familial touch to the formal proceedings.
Formal communications issued on behalf of the Head of State and his wife relayed profound congratulations to every participating competitor. The leadership expressed strong hopes that these recent victories would inspire future generations of disabled athletes to pursue sporting excellence and elevate the nation’s standing globally.
