Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Para Swimming Association led by Jonathan Wong will be sending a 21-member contingent to take part in the XXI Sukma Para Games held in Kuching, Sarawak from September 22 to 28.
In support of the association’s aim for the gold medal in swimming, Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, the managing director of WSG Group, has offered to sponsor the athletes who will be participating in the sporting event.
Jonathan and the association’s secretary cum swimming coach Eva Wong paid a courtesy call on Susan to seek her sponsorship on Monday.
Jonathan said of the 21 athletes, three are in the national team, while the remainder are in the Sabah team and there are also seven leaders and coaches in the team.
The Sabah Para Swimming Association was officially registered on February 27, 2023.
It was founded by Jonathan, the incumbent president, who won a gold medal for T11/T12 men’s (vision impairment) long jump event in the Dubai 2024 World Para Athletics Grand Prix.
Jonathan said the objective of the association is to empower disabled individuals through sports, and its long-term plan is to provide training for para athletes.
Meanwhile, Eva said the Sarawakian swimming squad are three-time champions, while Sabah has won gold for the past two games.
She said the association is aiming for the gold medal in the Sukma Para Games this year.
