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New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
A game-changer for Malaysian deaf sports
PUTRAJAYA: A landmark RM3 million government grant is being hailed as a game-changer for Malaysian deaf sports, powering the national squad's preparations and enabling athletes to train full-time ahead of the SEA Deaf Games in Jakarta (Aug 20-26) and Deaflympics in Tokyo (Nov 15-26). Malaysia will field 53 athletes in six sports at the SEA Deaf Games – futsal, athletics, badminton, tenpin bowling, chess and table tennis – with a target of 16 gold medals, one better than their tally at the 2022 Kuala Lumpur edition. The financial boost, channelled by the government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has allowed the national deaf contingent to focus solely on their sporting careers. It covers full-time allowances and socio-economic support, transforming their training regime and ambitions. "This has allowed us to implement a full-time training programme," said Malaysian Deaf Sports Association (MSDEAF) president Ong Shin Ruenn after a flag-handing ceremony today. "Our athletes can focus on training full-time and don't have to balance working and training. This RM3 million fund has motivated many of them to aim for medals." The injection of funds is seen as an investment not only for the Jakarta campaign but also in the larger pursuit of Deaflympics success in Tokyo. "The allocation is being used to focus on preparation, training and competition for the Deaflympics in Japan," Shin Ruenn added, describing the SEA Deaf Games as a stepping stone towards that long-term goal. The move marks a strategic shift from short-term training camps to a sustainable, high-performance programme. Shin Ruenn expressed gratitude for the support, describing it as a turning point for a community that has often been overlooked. But he also stressed the importance of continuity. "For the future, we hope the government will maintain the same allocation as it is very important for the athletes," he said. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who officiated the ceremony, said the government's backing was part of a wider push for inclusivity in sports. "We want these athletes to feel they are equally representing Malaysia. With this support, they must now focus fully on their preparations and deliver their best," she said. She also stressed the need for longer-term funding commitments. "Twelve months of preparation is not enough. Coaches and athletes need at least two years to plan and train effectively," she said, adding that her ministry was in talks with the Finance Ministry to secure more sustainable allocations.
The Sun
11-08-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Sea Deaf Games 2025: Malaysia target 16 gold medals in Jakarta
KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions Malaysia will send the country's second-largest contingent to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Deaf Games 2025 in Jakarta, from Aug 20 to 26, with the mission of winning 16 gold medals and retaining the title clinched at the inaugural edition in Kuala Lumpur in 2022. Malaysian Deaf Sports Association (MSDeaf) president Ong Shin Ruenn said the target comprises six gold medals in athletics, five in tenpin bowling, two in badminton, two in chess, and one in the men's futsal event. '... for the SEA Deaf Games 2025 in Jakarta, we hope the government can consider awarding cash incentives to players similar to those given to able-bodied athletes, especially in conjunction with National Day, if our athletes bring home medals for Malaysia. 'Our athletes have previously received rewards, such as at the Deaflympics, but the money was regarded as a token and not an incentive,' he said through a sign language interpreter after the press conference for the tournament here today. At the same time, Shin Ruenn expressed his hope that one day the deaf community in Malaysia would have a dedicated building equipped with centralised training facilities. He believes such a training centre would not only enhance the performance of athletes but also serve as a symbol of ongoing support for the development of sports in the deaf community in Malaysia. A total of 80 athletes will carry the nation's challenge this time, only 20 fewer than the host Indonesia's largest contingent of 100 athletes. Overall, Malaysia's contingent consists of 27 officlials and 53 athletes, who will compete in six sports - futsal, athletics, badminton, tenpin bowling, chess, and table tennis. Meanwhile, MSDeaf vice-president Sarkunan Balakrisnan, appointed as Chef de Mission, said it was a great honour to be entrusted with the responsibility. He is confident the target can be achieved with the team's high spirit and motivation, which will inspire more Malaysians to appreciate the capabilities of the deaf community. 'For me, the closest challenger will be the host, Indonesia. However, with all our preparations, we can certainly deliver,' he said. Perlis-born athlete Zaiman Megat Abu has been chosen as the flag bearer for the Games. He is a long jump and triple jump champion who previously won gold at the 2022 SEA Deaf Games in Kuala Lumpur - BERNAMA
