Minister pledges support for Commonwealth Games gold medallist Saravanan

 Former national walker G Saravanan’s battle with motor neurone disease has progressively stripped away his ability to walk, speak, and eat.

G Saravanan, 56, Malaysia’s only Commonwealth Games athletics gold medallist, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021 and now relies on a feeding tube and requires constant care. (Noorul Ariffin pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Youth and sports minister Dr Taufiq Johari has pledged to help former national walker G Saravanan, who is battling motor neurone disease (MND).

FMT yesterday reported that Saravanan’s battle with MND has progressively stripped away his ability to walk, speak, and eat.

Saravanan, 56, Malaysia’s only Commonwealth Games athletics gold medallist, was diagnosed with MND in 2021 and now relies on a feeding tube and requires constant care.

In a New Straits Times report today, Taufiq said he was touched by Saravanan’s plight and how it has affected his family.

“Saravanan is an athlete who brought glory to the nation and is remembered for his gold medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Today, he and his family are facing extremely difficult circumstances,” he said.

“Although he has received assistance, including from the national athletes welfare foundation (Yakeb), the high cost of treatment and limited income make things extremely challenging.

“As such, I will arrange to meet him and his family as soon as possible to better understand their needs and ensure the necessary support is provided.”

Saravanan has seen his weight drop from 79kg in 2020 to about 40kg today. He survived a recent critical episode in which he stopped breathing for two minutes before being revived.

Despite his condition, Saravanan remains mentally alert and engaged, communicating through subtle gestures and an alphabet chart to spell out words letter by letter.

During a recent interaction with FMT, he responded silently but meaningfully, continuing to show the same determination that defined his athletic career. - FMT