Limkokwing Uni, Yeo Bee Sean’s designs for para athletes didn’t make the grade, says Paralympic Council Malaysia boss
Paralympic Council Malaysia (PCM) president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin confirms that Limkokwing University and Yeo Bee Sean, sister of Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin, had submitted designs for the official attire for Malaysian para athletes for the Paralympics in Paris.
However, he said, their designs did not meet the standards of the National Sports Council (NSC).
Instead, the Malaysian contingent will wear the official attire designed by the NSC, at the Paralympics from Aug 28-Sept 8.
“NSC has the final say, and while we had several designs, the council rejected the ones by Yeo and Limkokwing University,” said Megat Shahriman.
He was met on the sidelines of the 50-day countdown to the Paris Paralympics at the Malaysia Paralympic Sports Excellence Centre in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur, this afternoon.
“We (PCM) signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Limkokwing University (in April), and we are still keen to work with them. We have many more competitions ahead of us.
“Unfortunately, for this selection process, Limkokwing University’s design didn’t make the grade.”
Yeo went on social media recently to express her disappointment when her design was not selected for the Paris Games. She even modelled her design.
“I understand her frustration, and I don’t see anything wrong in her wearing her design as she worked hard on it,” said Megat Shahriman.
“However, she must understand that there was a selection process, and her design didn’t make the cut.”
At the 50-day countdown, PCM announced a new leisurewear sponsor – Nakawan – for the contingent. The Kuala Lumpur-based company will supply the team with the outfit they will use at the airport for their departure to France.
Megat Shahriman also announced that Zero Healthcare had donated massage chairs worth more than RM15,000 to each member of the 29 para athletes who qualify for Paris. The sponsorship is worth RM500,000.
The healthcare provider will also give cash rewards to the medallists – RM10,000 for gold, RM5,000 for silver, and RM3,000 for bronze.
Twenty-five athletes have already qualified for Paris, while PCM will name four wildcards next week. This would be Malaysia’s largest contingent to the Paralympics.
Malaysia won three gold medals at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, and another three in Tokyo five years later, when the Games were delayed a year because of Covid-19. For Paris, the target is four gold medals.
Although Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had previously said that setting a target would put undue pressure on the athletes, Megat Shahriman disagreed.
“We are going for a high-level competition. We must set achievable targets. If not, we might as well go for a holiday,” he said.
“I am confident we can win four gold medals from badminton, powerlifting, and athletics.
“There could be other sports that may surprise, but for now, these three sports are our best bet to bring home gold medals.”
Separately, PCM unveiled its theme song for the Paris Games – Luar Biasa (Kita Juara).
The song was composed by Tengku Shafiz Rullah @Ash and Affendi Mohd Dilif, with vocals by Zarith Nawawi.
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