Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) president Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin said 18 of them are male athletes.

“These athletes shall be accompanied by 15 coaches for the respective sports and a chaperone for our swimmer, Brenda Anellia Larry, who will be accompanied by her mother, as she is under-18 and unable to move by herself,” he said in a statement today.

Megat, who is also the chef de mission to the Games, said there are 54 members in the Malaysian delegation, comprising athletes, coaches, secretariat team members, medical officers, and administrative personnel.

“I also take this opportunity to thank all our generous sponsors who have stepped forward with a big heart to complement the government’s efforts to provide support for the athletes to compete in Tokyo,” Megat added.

He then cited the increased exposure thanks to the success of our paralympians in the past, as the reason why the private sector has come forward to contribute materials for the contingent, thanking Bata Primavera, Julie’s Manufacturing, Nestle Products and Maystar Beauty, among others.

For the record, Malaysia has been taking part in the Paralympic Games since 1972 and has won a total 11 medals – three gold, two silver and six bronze.

Apart from Brenda, the athletes who have qualified for the Tokyo Paralympic Games are S Suresh and Wiro Julin (archery); Abdul Latif Romly, Muhammad Ziyad Zokefli, Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi, Wong Kar Gee and Siti Noor Iasah Mohamad Ariffin (athletics); Cheah Liek Hou and Didin Terasoh (badminton), and Chew Wei Lun (boccia).

Mohamad Yusof Hafizi Shaharuddin, Muhammad Hafiz Jamali, Zuhairie Ahmad Tarmizi, Nur Azlia Syafinaz Mohd Zais and Nurul Suhada Zainal (cycling); Bonnie Bunyau Gustin and Jong Yee Khie (powerlifting); Muhammad Nur Syaiful Zulkefli and Jamery Siga (swimming); Chee Chaoming (table tennis); and Abu Samah Borhan (wheelchair tennis) have also made the cut for the Games.