KUALA LUMPUR: Throwball has great potential as a new sport that can expand the participation of people with disabilities (OKU) in competitive sports, as well as opening up opportunities for the country to achieve success on the international stage .
Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPM) President Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin said the sport is currently growing in the international arena, and has the potential to be competed in the Commonwealth Games in the future before paving the way to bigger platforms including the Paralympic Games.
He said Malaysia had formed men’s and women’s teams to compete in international tournaments after the conclusion of the Asian Para Throwball Championships, which were held from yesterday until June 5 in the capital.
“This is a new sport and I believe the team that has been formed can bring surprises. After the tournament in Malaysia, we also see the opportunity to send a team to India to gain more competition experience,” he said.
He said this to reporters after officiating the Second Asian Para Throwball Championship 2026 at the Paralympic Sports Centre of Excellence, here today.
Megat D Shahriman said the development of throwball is also in line with MPM’s goal of providing more sports options for the disabled community in the country.
He said the sport could be an alternative for athletes who may not be suitable or meet the classification for other para sports such as para powerlifting , amputee football or sitting volleyball.
“We want more individuals with disabilities to participate in sports. It’s not necessarily that they can play all types of sports, but maybe they can play throwball . Our objective is to ensure that more individuals with disabilities can adopt a healthy lifestyle and undergo the rehabilitation process through sports,” he said.
Commenting on the national contingent for the Asian Para Throwball Championship, he said 22 athletes, consisting of 11 men and 11 women, were selected to represent the country after a selection process involving nearly 50 participants.
“This sport is still very new and in the early stages of development. If it is contested at the Commonwealth Games, our chances of winning a medal are bright because many countries are still in the development phase of this sport,” he said.
— BERNAMA