Malaysia plans to expand Paralympic sports nationwide in 2010

From Bernama:

KUALA LUMPUR -- The National Sports Council (NSC) are expected to initiate development programmes for Paralympic sports in states by early next year.

NSC's Paralympics Unit Director Mohd Safrushahar Yusoff said the implementation of such development programmes in states, would further boost participation of people with disability, to venture into the sports.

"Through the programme, NSC will set up training centres and qualified coaches. Our objective is to unearth more talented athletes," he told Bernama Monday.

However, unlike elite athletes who undergo full-time training in NSC, athletes undergoing training in their respective states would not be receiving training incentives.

"So far, the NSC had failed to develop Paralympic sports in the states because states were not ready to undertake such responsibilities. We hope through the new initiative, a systematic programme can be implemented," he said.

He added that only Sarawak has its own state development programme for swimming, athletics, badminton, tenpin bowling and weightlifting.