Kuala Lumpua, Malaysia, April 14 - The National Sports Council's Paralympics sports unit has targeted six sports to contribute medals at the Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, China from Dec 12-19.
According to its director Mohd Safrushahar Yusoff, Malaysia's gold medal hopes would hinge on swimming, athletics, archery, powerlifting, badminton and tenpin bowling.
"Based on previous achievements, results and performances of athletes, we will be focusing on the six sports.
"As part of preparations for the Asian Para Games which will be traditionally held after the Asian Games, 64 elite paralympic athletes from swimming, athletics, powerlifting and archery are currently undergoing training" he told Bernama Wednesday.
He said the badminton and tenpin bowling squads would start their full time training in May and June respectively.
"Currently athletes from badminton and tenpin bowling are training on a part time basis and most of them train on their own at their own places," he said.
Mohd Safrushahar added that apart from training, elite paralympic athletes would also participate in a number of international competitions identified, as part of their preparations for the Asiad.
"Participation in the Asian Para Games and international meets will also help gauge their performances to be drafted into the Road to London 2012 programme," he said.
Among international events identified for their participation are the International Athletics Championships in Kuwait from April 23-28, World Para Archery Ranking Championships in the Czech Republic (May 24-30) and the International Paralympic Council's World Swimming Championships in Eindhoven, Holland (Aug 15-21).
