Kota Kinabalu: Sabah's triumphant Para athletes who took part in the just concluded 9th KL Asean Para Games received a grand welcome upon their return from the national capital on Sunday night.They won a total of nine gold, nine silver and 10 bronze medals for the country in the one-week competition and State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad was present together with Sports & Recreational OKU Association Sabah (Pesron) members, family members and friends to greet them at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA).The Minister said their achievement was an eye opener and called on all OKUs in the State who love sports to come forward to seek guidance from her Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry.ADVERTISEMENT "Parents should not have an inferiority complex over their children. Look at these athletes, their success will make a huge impact on their family life and I call on all parents to come to us and the Sports Ministry so that we can work together for their children to have a better future," she said."One of the important aspects of our Ministry is to take care of their welfare while the Sports Ministry will cater for their sporting activities. We try to give the best assistance that we can for them but it was the will that they possessed that enabled them to win which is not an easy task and we must applaud them for their efforts," she said.Meanwhile, Doriah Poulus who was one of three athletes to have won two gold medals in the competition said it was the most satisfactory win since she competed in 2011."I had won a total of nine gold medals since I joined in 2011 but this was the most satisfactory because it was a combined category.ADVERTISEMENT "It was much more difficult because I had to compete with athletes not only from my category alone. It was also based on points system. Thank God, I managed to win two in javelin and shot-put," she said.
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She attributed her success to hard work and also the support from parents, coaches and friends.The 30-year-old from Keningau also said she will continue to train for next year's Asian Para Games in Jakarta."I will continue to train hard and try to achieve success in higher level competitions.Another double winner, Eddy Bernard was also pleased with his wins and vowed to continue training for future meets."I am happy to win two gold medals in my first appearance in the Para Games and at the same time managed better my 100m record as well."I will continue to train hard and try to achieve further success in much higher level competitions."Pesron President Tan Hwa Koon who accompanied the athletes also praised the athletes."We are very proud of the achievement of the disabled athletes from the State."A big thank you for the support from all parties involved, especially Youth and Sports Ministry led by Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan, Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid and her Ministry plus the others. Without their help and support, we may not be at the present level," he said.He also disclosed that Didin Teresoh, who won gold medal in badminton will also be competing in the World Badminton Championship in November.According to him, Pesron in its efforts to improve their athletes' performance and chances of making the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020 are in need of financial assistance for full training and special equipment.Tan called on corporate companies interested to contribute to contact Normala Othman at 012-8302205.The gold medal winners from Sabah at the KL Para Asean Games were Eddy Bernard (100m) – L T37/12.45s & (long jump) – T37/5.76m; Shamli Waidi (javellin) – F36/37/813 pts & (shot-put) – F36/37; Wong Kar Gee (long jump) – T12/6.98m; Doriah Poulus (javelin) F42/44-760 pts & (shot-put) – F42/44; Adderin Majurin (javelin) F32/34 - 425 pts and Didin Terasoh (badminton men's single SS6).Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Silver medallists – Eryanto Bahtiar (long jump) T46/47-6.22m & (javelin) T46/12.96; Jacklon Ganding (100m) T37/12.48s; Maswinah Suanang (800m) 2:41.24s; Eryanto & Saiful (4x100m) 47.01s; Sabaruding Bacho (discus) F35/ 21.66; Shamli Waidi (discus) 356 pts; Sabarudin (javelin) F35; Azuan Amir Hassan (ten-pin bowling mixed) 1792 pts.Bronze medallists – Felicia Mikat (100m) T13/14.12s, (400m) T13/67.43s & (200m) T13/28.96s; Saiful Dawang (long jump); Doriah Poulus (discus) 570 pts; Sabaruding Bacho (shot-put) 6.71m; Adderin Majurin (javelin) F34; Sibil Bin Guri (badminton double partner podium player); Rollen Marakim (five-a-side football) and Mailin Mopinpin (goalball). - GL Oh