Latest news with #SpecialOlympicsSarawak
Borneo Post
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Borneo Post
Sarawak's Special Olympic athletes deliver in all sports at national carnival
Some of the Sarawak athletes pose with Dayang Mariani (front right) in Ipoh. KUCHING (July 1): The Special Olympics Sarawak team secured 16 gold, 14 silver, and nine bronze medals at the 2nd Special Junior Development Sports Carnival 2025 in Ipoh, Perak on June 27-30. The national-level event, which was organised under Special Olympics Malaysia, served to promote inclusivity and sporting excellence among young athletes with intellectual disabilities over four days of competition in four sports. Sarawak sent a 74-member contingent with coaches and chaperones from five chapters — Kuching, Samarahan, Sibu, Miri, and Bintulu. The squad saw a balanced haul with athletes contributing four medals each from the four sports of athletics, bocce, basketball, and badminton. Special Olympics Kuching Chapter president Datin Dayang Mariani Abang Zain, who led the delegation, expressed pride in the team's achievements. 'The children did very well and we're all very happy with their performance in spite of their disadvantages,' she told The Borneo Post when contacted, adding that the experience was both meaningful and encouraging for the athletes. She also extended her appreciation to the government for supporting the trip. 'Our trip is funded by the government through the Ministry for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development and the Sarawak Welfare Department (JKMS). We thank them for their support,' she added.
Borneo Post
02-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Healthy Athletes Programme bridges healthcare gap for Special Olympics participants in Sarawak
Dr Veronica (centre) witnesses the donation handover from one of the sponsors to Toh (third left). KUCHING (May 2): The Healthy Athletes Programme (HAP), held in conjunction with the Sarawak Special Olympics Games 2025, plays a vital role in narrowing the healthcare gap for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In stating this, Sarawak Health Director Dr Veronica Lugah said the programme is instrumental in addressing the significant challenges that athletes with IDD face in accessing quality healthcare. These challenges, she said, include communication barriers, inadequate training among healthcare providers, dietary restrictions, social stigma, and low health literacy. 'By training the healthcare professionals to conduct specialised health screenings and education, the Healthy Athletes Programme ensures that every athlete receives the attention and care they need,' she said during the launch ceremony at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya here today. Organised under the Special Olympics Sarawak banner, in partnership with the Sarawak Health Department (JKNS), the initiative provides free health screenings and education in a supportive environment for athletes. It is supported by more than 150 volunteers, including health professionals from various facilities under the Ministry of Health (MoH) and JKNS, academic institutions, social organisations, and the private sector. Dr Veronica noted that despite data showing that individuals with IDD face higher rates of preventable health issues, they remain one of the most underserved groups in healthcare. The HAP, she explained, helps close this gap by equipping healthcare providers with empathy, understanding, and skills to deliver inclusive, rights-based care. 'I admire the motivation shown by the volunteers. It is a reflection of empathy for the unique needs of this special group of athletes,' she said. She further noted that the programme aligns with the MoH's commitment to inclusive healthcare through its National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Disease (NSP-NCD) 2016–2025 and the Healthcare for Persons with Disabilities Policy. Participants included students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Segi College, Chung Hua Middle School No. 1, Lions Club members, and other volunteers – some of whom travelled from as far as Miri. 'Let us use this opportunity not merely to offer a service, but to drive a transformative shift in our view of health equity and inclusion. 'Together, we must ensure our special athletes are empowered, healthy, and celebrated in every aspect of their lives,' she said. Also present was Special Olympics Sarawak HAP director Dr Toh Teck Hock. Healthy Athletes Programme Kuching Sarawak Special Olympics Games
