“I want them (paralympians) to be the icons for all Malaysians,” he said during his speech at the welcoming ceremony for the paralympians returning from the 2016 Rio games at Kompleks Bunga Raya of the KL International Airport, here, today.

Najib said that the paralympians had shown tremendous determination to succeed despite facing the challenges of being disabled.

“If we are also determined and have the will to succeed, then we definitely can achieve extraordinary results,” he said, receiving loud applause from the crowd.

At the Rio Paralympics, the first gold for Malaysia was won by sprinter Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi in the men’s 100m T36, followed by Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli in the men’s F20 shot put, who also set a new world record with a throw of 16.84m.

The third gold was contributed by Abdul Latif Romly in the men’s T20 long jump. He also set a new world record recording 7.60m.

“This is their story. I want to make the story of the Paralympic contingent to Rio 2016 as a strong reminder to Malaysians to have high self-determination,” he said.

Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin also echoed similar sentiments in a press conference, saying “we want our paralympians to be heroes and icons”.

“I know that our sponsors spend millions. I’m not saying it’s not good, but I want them to be icons.

“I want them to be known internationally. Recognition is very important.”

Khairy also said that in order to inspire future youngsters to choose sports as a career, the paralympians are set to go to schools across the country to inspire students.

He told reporters that he was asked by the prime minister to make the paralympians icons of Malaysia.

“We want to widen our pool of athletes, especially the young ones.

“I want them to choose sports,” Khairy said, also stating that the athletes would go around to inspire and motivate youngsters in schools, whether disabled or otherwise.