MPC Eyes Para Throwball Success For Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) sees para throwball as a new sport with great potential to expand the participation of people with disabilities (PwD) in competitive sports, as well as opening up opportunities for the country to achieve success on the international stage.

MPC president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin said the sport is currently developing internationally and has the potential to be contested at the Commonwealth Games in the future before paving the way for bigger platforms including the Paralympic Games.

He said Malaysia had formed men's and women's teams to face international tournaments after the conclusion of the Asian Para Throwball Championships held from yesterday to June 5 in the federal capital.

"This is a new sport and I believe the teams that have been formed can bring surprises. After the championship in Malaysia, we also see an opportunity to send a team to India to gain more competition experience," he said.

He told reporters at the opening of the 2nd Asian Para Throwball Championships 2026 at the Paralympic Centre of Excellence here today.

Megat D Shahriman said the development of para throwball was also in line with MPC's goal to provide more sports options for the disabled community in this country.

He said the sport could be an alternative for athletes who may not be suitable or do not meet the classification for other para sports such as para powerlifting, amputee football or sitting volleyball.

"We want more individuals with disabilities to participate in sports. They may not necessarily be able to play all types of sports, but they may be able to play throwball. Our objective is to ensure that more people with disabilities can adopt a healthy lifestyle and undergo the rehabilitation process through sports," he said.

Commenting on the national contingent for the Asian Para Throwball Championship, he said a total of 22 athletes, consisting of 11 men and 11 women, were selected to represent the country after a selection process involving almost 50 participants.

"This sport is still very new and in the early stages of development. If it is contested at the Commonwealth Games, our chances of winning a medal are bright because many countries are still in the development phase of this sport," he said.

-- BERNAMA