Sarawak crowned overall champion of Special Olympics National Games
Fatimah presents the overall champion’s trophy to a representative of the Sarawak Special Olympics team.
BINTULU (April 27): Sarawak emerged overall champion of the Special Olympics Malaysia 6th National Games Sarawak 2026, capping off a successful hosting campaign with 56 gold, 68 silver and 52 bronze medals.
Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the state contingent’s achievement reflected the athletes’ resilience and the unwavering support of coaches, parents and team officials.
“This success is the result of sweat and tears, continuous training, high discipline, sacrifices by parents, and the extraordinary fighting spirit of the athletes themselves,” she said during the closing ceremony at Bintulu Civic Centre on Sunday night.
Fatimah congratulated all contingents, praising the healthy competition and sportsmanship displayed throughout the games.
“Every contingent has shown commendable performance in their respective sports and contributed to the overall success of the championship,” she said.
Fatimah also applauded the athletes for demonstrating courage, confidence and determination throughout the eight sports events contested.
“In the Special Olympics, the courage to try and the determination to keep fighting are victories in themselves,” she said, echoing the Special Olympics oath: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Fatimah reminded athletes that their efforts had inspired not only their families but also the wider community.
“You are all stars in this championship. Through your presence and achievements, the world sees your determination and your abilities despite your disabilities,” she said.
She further highlighted Sarawak’s inclusive education efforts, noting that inclusivity must begin in early childhood.
She said as of March 31, 170 Sedidik teachers, or 98.26 per cent of the total, had mastered basic sign language training, while 2,090 preschool children had also learned basic sign language.
“All children are taught sign language as part of inclusive learning, nurturing empathy and appreciation for diversity, while building a generation that respects and supports persons with disabilities,” she said.
Fatimah expressed appreciation to organisers, volunteers, medical teams, sponsors and the media for helping make the games a success, while urging all stakeholders to remain focused on empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
“When we work with children and individuals with disabilities, we must always remember the objective. That objective should drive all programmes and activities so they truly benefit them,” she said.