MARSHAL TO GIVE CASH INCENTIVE TO PARENTS AFTER DEFENDING JAVELIN GOLD

KUCHING, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- "This is the only thing I can give my parents,” said the wheelchair-bound Marshal Lu Canner of Sarawak after defending his gold medal in the javelin F33 (physical impairment) category at the 2024 Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA) here today.

The 41-year-old Marshal, who has not been able to walk since birth and unable to work, said he will pass the incentives he will receive for his gold medal feat today to his parents.

"What else can I do? I had ambitions to become a policeman but I can’t walk, can't work and can't help my parents. So, this is all I can give them,” he told Bernama at the Sarawak Stadium here today.

Marshal clinched gold when he hurled the javelin to a distance of 12.68 metres (m), leaving Selangor's Hilman Zafri Zulkifli (12.66m) and fellow Sarawakian Jeffery Angai (8.11m) to settle for silver and bronze.

This is Marshal's second Para SUKMA appearance, having also clinched gold in the same event at the 2022 edition in Kuala Lumpur.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had previously announced that the state would provide an incentive of RM15,000 to its athletes who win gold at the Para SUKMA 2024, with silver medallists getting RM5,000 each and bronze medallists RM3,000 each.

In another development, Kelantan athletics team manager Mahmood Drahman hopes that the classification of events for the Para SUKMA in determining the eligibility of athletes will be tightened for future Games.

He said that for this edition, he found that athletes who had arms were allowed to compete in the T45 (physical impairment) category when it ought to have been only for those without arms.

"I hope the National Sports Council and the Paralympic Council of Malaysia will take immediate action to ensure this does not recur for the fairness of the competing athletes,” he said.

-- BERNAMA