Virtus Proposes Malaysia as ASEAN Regional Hub For Intellectual Impairment Sport

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has been proposed to take the lead as the ASEAN Regional Hub for Virtus Intellectual Impairment Sport, following the country’s growing role in strengthening the Paralympic Movement and developing opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairment.

Virtus is the global organisation that governs, advocates, organises, and promotes elite sport for athletes with intellectual impairment.

The proposal was made by Virtus president Robyn Smith during the EmpowerHER Through Sport ASEAN Regional Workshop, organised by the Paralympic Council Malaysia (PCM) in collaboration with Sport Inclusion Australia (SIA), supported by the Australian Government, and Virtus at the Paralympic Sports Excellence Centre in Kampung Pandan here on Wednesday.

In a statement by PCM, Smith said the country is well-positioned to lead regional initiatives involving athlete development, classification, education and capacity building.

The proposal comes as Malaysia prepares to host the 14th ASEAN Para Games 2027 in Malaysia scheduled from Oct 17 to 23, with Malaysia’s PCM president Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin viewing the opportunity as a platform to create a lasting legacy beyond the Games.

“We aspire for Malaysia to become the ASEAN Regional Hub for Virtus Intellectual Impairment Sport by leading regional collaboration, developing technical expertise, and creating greater opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairment throughout Southeast Asia,” he said in the same statement.

The workshop brought together representatives from seven ASEAN countries, along with experts from Virtus and SIA, to strengthen regional collaboration, technical capacity, and the development of sport for athletes with intellectual impairment.
-- BERNAMA