KUALA LUMPUR – The national para-badminton squad is expected to be a significant medal contributor for the Malaysian contingent at the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games in August.
Speaking to Scoop, Malaysian Paralympic Council secretary-general Datuk R. Subramaniam said that the para-badminton team’s fortunes have taken a positive turn after successfully securing additional slots through their appeal to the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
This comes as Malaysia has two potential medal contributors in the men’s singles SU5 (arm impairment) event, namely gold medallist Cheah Liek Hou and Muhammad Fareez Anuar.
While Liek Hou comfortably secured the top spot in the Paris qualification rankings, Fareez found himself in a challenging position as he concluded his qualification campaign in sixth place.
Initially, BWF’s regulations stipulated that for each event, only one representative per country was allowed.
However, Malaysia’s plea has now been granted, significantly enhancing the national badminton squad’s prospects of clinching medals at the Games.
“Maybe they’ve seen our progress in para-badminton, especially after its recent inclusion in the Tokyo Olympics. It seems like they trust Malaysia to develop more athletes, and having the BWF headquarters here probably adds to that trust.
“We’ve had success in producing great para-badminton players before, and now with para-sports gaining more attention.
“He (Fareez) is one of our hopefuls for a medal. So, the next month will be important as we push them to give their all,” said Subramaniam.
For this edition, the national squad will not only be represented by Liek Hou and Fareez but will also be joined by three newcomers, adding depth to the national team line-up.
Muhammad Ikhwan Ramli and Noor Azwan Noorlan will not only compete in the men’s singles WH1 and WH2 (wheelchair) events but will also partner in the men’s doubles WH1-WH2 event.
Based on their current BWF para rankings, Ikhwan and Azwan are the world’s fourth-ranked pair in that category.
Meanwhile, Amin Burhanuddin, who secured a silver medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, will represent the nation in the men’s singles SL4 (lower limb impairment) event
The number of para-badminton athletes heading to Paris has increased compared to the first participation in Tokyo 2020, where hopes were pinned on Liek Hou and a mathematics teacher from Sabah, Didin Taresoh, who competed in the SH6 (short stature) event. – June 10, 2024
