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Maintain Archers Quota For London Paralympic, Urges Paralympic Council

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has been urged to give the spot held by the late Mohd Salam Sidek to another Malaysian archer for the London Paralympics on Aug 29 - Sept 9.

Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) president Datuk Zainal Abu Zarin said Mohd Salam, who at one time held the top world ranking, had qualified for London before he died in November.

"We hope the IPC retains the quota of three archers to London even without the involvement of the late Mohd Salam. The complete athletes' list to the London paralympic will be available in May.

"Two more slots have yet to be filled but we appeal to IPC to retain them," he told reporters after a tree-planting ceremony here Thursday for athletes who won medals at the Asean Para Sports in Solo, Indonesia.

The bi-annual games witnessed the national paralympic contingent finishing in third place with 51 gold medals, 36 silver and 45 bronze.

On the participation of Malaysian paralympic athletes in London, he said they still taking part in numerous qualifying championships.

"According to IPC records, the number of athletes who can qualify for London is very high," he said.

Asked about the Malaysian contingent's target in London, he said MPC would, of course, hope for medals, regardless of colour, because the championship is very competitive, involving professional athletes from all over the world.

"We do hope to get medals, especially from athletics, sailing and weight lifting, but it is still too early. Our athletes are preparing with intensive training with the assistance of the National Sports Council and National Sports Institute."

MPC patron Tun Jeanne Abdullah said the fourth tree planting programme was in appreciation of the medals won by paralympic athletes in Solo, Indonesia last year.

"It is also to remember paralympic archer Mohd Salam. A tree planted in the Paralympic Park in Bukit Jalil was named 'Salam Tree'."

Mohd Salam, who died on Nov 15, had participated in the Athens Paralympic Games (2004) and in Beijing (2008).

-- BERNAMA

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