KUALA LUMPUR – With the Deaf SEA Games scheduled to take place in Jakarta this year, the Malaysian Deaf Sports Association (MSDeaf) is hoping to defend their title by moulding some of their finest junior talents in its upcoming domestic championship.
The national contingent, with an average age of 23, will be getting some tournament exposure by competing in the Malaysian Deaf Athletics Championship, scheduled for April 27 and 28 at the National Sports Council’s Mini Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Speaking to Scoop, MSDeaf president Ong Shin Ruenn said that the governing body is excited to host the tournament after a seven-year absence and revealed that the championship has so far attracted 120 participants.
“We have received a high number of participants for this year’s championship from countries such as the United States of America, South Korea, and Germany.
“Aside from that, some of Malaysia’s best athletes will compete in 13 sporting events.
“The last time we hosted this championship was in 2017 in Johor, and I’m proud to say that we have never failed to attract the interest of the participants despite being a small sports association in our country.
“This championship is really important for our junior athletes to gain exposure so that we can defend our Deaf SEA Games title in Jakarta in November this year with the hope of winning more medals for Malaysia.
“We performed well in the previous edition in 2022, and Indonesia was close behind in the medal count. We need to make sure that we repeat the feat this time. It’s going to be tough, but we know that we can do it,” said Shin Ruenn when contacted.
The 2022 Deaf SEA Games saw Malaysia becoming the overall champions with a total of 49 medals – 15 golds, 22 silvers, and 12 bronzes.
MSDeaf has been actively promoting the development of deaf sports since its establishment in 1978.
The association has also sent athletes to participate in international sports tournaments such as the Deaflympics and World Deaf Championships, focusing mainly on sports such as badminton, bowling, athletics, karate, football, and futsal.
Malaysia has won a total of 18 medals – three golds, 11 silvers, and four bronzes – in the Deaflympics since they participated in the 17th Summer Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria.
In the 2021 Summer Deaflympics in Brazil’s Caxias do Sul, women’s doubles Boon Wei Ying and Foo Zu Tung won a badminton gold for Malaysia, ending the nation’s 21-year gold drought at the games.
MSDeaf hosted the World Deaf Football Championship last year, which saw a total of 20 national teams battling for the title.
Ukraine emerged as the champion, defeating Japan 2-1 in the final at the Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya stadium. – April 15, 2024