This is not about Athos, Porthos and Aramis in Paris but about En Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi, En Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli and En Abdul Latif Romly in Rio. When I started drafting this article there were only two but last night En Abdul Latif made it complete.
In less than 24 hours you guys beat the whole world. You guys proved to the world that Malaysians can be world beaters too. You not only beat them but did it in style by smashing the Paralympics and World records. What more could we ask for?
En Khairy Jamaluddin said they are just as good as the able-bodied. I would add in this instance they are much better than the able-bodied. Abdul Latif beat them at the Sarawak Sukma last July.
When the able-bodied came near to our target for gold few weeks ago, these three musketeers delivered without much fanfare.
I think many Malaysians felt aggrieved for lack of publicity on Paralympians. They have competed in various world-class events and were podium-toppers. Yet not many ever heard of Mohamad Ridzuan or Muhammad Ziyad. Now, they stole the limelight in Rio.
On hindsight, the authorities and private sector should now think of ways not only to help Malaysians like these musketeers in sports, but also in other areas.
It is incumbent on society to offer a helping hand. In the West, great care is shown to the disabled. Such as providing better education and employment opportunities, better facilities in buildings and friendly transport infrastructures.
(Qur’an, Surah Abasa, 80:1-10) God cautioned Prophet Muhammad SAW when he frowned and turned away a blind man for interrupting.
Apart from sports, can we now produce a Stephen Hawking, Nick Vujicic or Albert Einstein (had learning disability). In historic times, we had `Atta Ibn Abi Rabah, who was lame and paralyzed, was the greatest Mufti in Makkah.
Nick Vujicic said, “It’s a lie to think you’re not good enough. It’s a lie to think you’re not worth anything”.
Saleh Mohammed/ MAILBAG
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