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Athletes Raring For Paralympic Games - Zolkples


LONDON, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- All national paralympic elite athletes are ready for the 14th Paralympic Games that will officially start here on Wednesday, says Chef-de-Mission Datuk Zolkples Embong.

"From what I saw during training, the athletes are adapting well and ready for the world's largest sporting event for athletes with disabilities. I am happy with this situation," he told Bernama here Monday.

Zolkples who is also director-general of National Sports Council (NSC) said although the Malaysian contingent is small compared to other countries, the team spirit of the paralympic athletes is strong.

"The athletes from different races and different types of sports help each other while the coaches and officials help manage them. So far, there has been no problem."

He said that the coaches and officials constantly reminded the athletes to always focus on training and not to feel pressured.

He said that the coaches and officials constantly reminded the athletes to always focus on training and not to feel pressured.

In this edition, Malaysia is represented by 23 athletes competing in eight sports namely archery, athletics, cycling, ping pong, powerlifting, swimming, wheelchair fencing and sailing.

The paralympic athletes arrived here on Wednesday for training and to acclimatise.

From Farhanah Azmi -- BERNAMA

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