The Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor and Federal Territory (SCASFT) and the Malaysian Boccia Association (MBA) today feted boccia athlete Chew Wei Lun for his excellent achievement in winning the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games last month.
Among those who attended the event were Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin, National Sports Council (NSC) deputy director-general (Strategic) Suhardi Alias, NSC Paralympic Division director Mohd Sofian Hamzah and MBA president Prof Blian Boon Chin.
Wei Lun said he was excited and overwhelmed by the recognition for his success in Tokyo which, he added, was unexpected as his main objective was to popularise the sport.
“Actually, although I have been playing boccia since school, I wasn’t sure if I would still be involved in the sport because it is difficult to predict our future.
“Although the sport does not have an age limit, the individuals involved have their own limits. So, this sport needs more players to continue the legacy,” he told Bernama at the ceremony, which was held at the Teong Kim Chai Hall here, today.
Megat D Shahriman said he hoped that Wei Lun’s success would encourage more athletes to give the sport a try.
“I feel that despite (the sport) having a small family, these athletes have the potential to reach the highest level, especially with this (Wei Lun’s) victory,” he said.
Meanwhile, Suhardi said that the NSC should identify the factors which contributed to Wei Lun’s Tokyo success.
Athletes like Wei Lun, he added, would be able to get support through the Malaysian Athlete Career and Education (MACE) programme, which would assure the future of their education, career and welfare.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency