KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is sending more athletes to compete in the 21st edition of the Para Sukma Games from Sept 22 to 28 in Kuching.
State Youth and Sports minister Datuk Ellron Angin said this time, there will be 140 athletes and 69 accompanying officials, compared with the 109 athletes who represented the state in the 2022 games.
During the flag handover ceremony for the Sabah contingent here, he extended congratulations on behalf of the Sabah government to the para-athletes who were selected to represent the state at the sporting event.
He expressed confidence in the athletes, recalling Sabah's historic achievement at the 20th Para Sukma Games in Kuala Lumpur where the state emerged as the overall champion with 54 gold, 36 silver, and 35 bronze medals, defeating the defending champions and this year's host, Sarawak.
"This year, we have a mission to defend our championship title in 'Bumi Kenyalang'.
"It is not an easy task, but I am confident that with the preparations we have undertaken over the past two years, combined with our strong teamwork and patriotism as Sabahans, we can achieve this goal."
He also announced that Para Sukma athletes who win gold medals will receive RM10,000.
Sabah will participate in all 10 sports featured in this edition of the Para Sukma, including tenpin bowling, table tennis, swimming, powerlifting, lawn bowls, chess, badminton, archery, athletics and Boccia, which Sabah is joining for the first time.