KUCHING, The National Sports Council (MSN) and state Youth and Sports Department (JBSN) must intensify efforts to scout potential female para athletes, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. She said that out of over 1,200 athletes competing in the 2024 Malaysia Para Games (Para SUKMA), which kicked off today, only 303, or 24 per cent, are women. 'Greater participation of women in para sports will inspire others to prove their capabilities. 'Parents, do not feel ashamed or embarrassed about the disability card held by our children or family members. Expose them to various types of sports,' she said at the opening ceremony of Para SUKMA at Stadium Perpaduan here tonight. Also present were Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Hannah emphasised that talent identification from a young age or primary school is crucial, urging more parties to provide platforms for the development of para sports talents, such as the Rimau Emas pr ogramme under the Ministry of Education, which focuses on the development and empowerment of special education students in athletics. According to Hannah, the Para SUKMA sporting event can produce great athletes and also demonstrates Sarawak's capability to co-host the 2027 SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games. 'Undeniably, Para SUKMA has proven effective in producing great athletes. Of the 30 national athletes competing in the Paralympics Games in Paris recently, 19 of them competed in previous Para SUKMA,' she added. The 10 sports to be contested at the Para SUKMA - athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, bowling, boccia, lawn bowls, powerlifting, archery, and chess - will involve 328 events. Source: BERNAMA News Agency