Bonnie an icon for future athletes - SSC CEO

KUCHING: Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee has described Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Bonnie Bunyau Gustin as a sports model and icon for future state and national athletes.

Bonnie, a Bidayuh from Kampung Baru Mawang, Serian, contributed the country's first gold medal in men's powerlifting 72-kilogramme (kg) category at the Tokyo Paralympics today by lifting 228kg and, thus, setting a new Paralympic record.

"I am hoping for more great achievement from Bonnie in the coming Asian and World Para championships and also the next Paralympics in Paris in 2024.

"He is still young and should look forward to more challenges and, with a proper training programme as well as with sports science support and services from the SSC and National Sports Council, I am sure he will be there for many more years," said Ong when contacted by Bernama today.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the state government would give incentives to Bonnie and other state athletes who do well at the Tokyo Paralympics.

She hoped that the public would now see persons with disabilities (PwD) in a different light, adding that they should not just look at their disabilities but their potential and abilities.

"Let us provide better accessibilities, opportunities for them...in terms of infrastructure, education and employment because we want Sarawak to be a socially inclusive society with no one being sidelined," she added.

-- BERNAMA