James Kon
Chef De Mission of Brunei’s contingent to the upcoming 12th ASEAN Para Games Haji Ali Yusri bin Haji Abdul Ghafor said he hopes to see that special needs athletes’ show their high fighting spirit and build up confidence in the regional meet.
Speaking on the sidelines of the national flag handing ceremony to the Brunei contingent yesterday, Haji Ali Yusri added; “When the athletes return to the country after competing in the ASEAN Para Games, they can become a good example to the other special needs’ individuals.
“I also hope that the athletes will become coaches for athletes. For example, Shari bin Haji Juma’at is 54 years old and I hope that he can become a coach for athletes. This will give him a meaningful future,” he said.
He added that a recent roadshow across the country has helped to bring in 73 new special needs athletes.
Three new athletes in the contingent are: Isma Rafiq bin Jaimie and Muhammad Zul Hilmi bin Norisman in badminton and Md Khalaf Talbin bin Kamal in swimming.
He hoped that the athletes could capture at least two gold medals, an improvement from the previous event.
