KUALA LUMPUR – The Youth and Sports Ministry will meet 11-year-old Muhammad Aqil Naufal Zahiran’s family and a prosthetist this week.
The ministry would like to extend its support through the National Sports Institute following a viral video clip capturing Aqil’s determined effort to cross the finish line in a 100m race on crutches during the Special Education Athletics Championship at the Jerantut District School Sports Council (MSSD) 2023.
@faridkamaruddin18 Aku tahu kau orang paling kuat dik. Terima kaseh cikgu bagi sokongan sehingga ke penamat. #luarbiasa #ppki #fyp ♬ Jangan Pernah Menyerah – Arnas19🐱
Minister Hannah Yeoh, moved by Aqil’s perseverance, wants to encourage the young boy to participate in more sports activities.
“I have witnessed Aqil’s determination to complete his race, and he possesses the mindset of a champion.
“(He gave) no reason to not compete, and he has proven that by giving his best despite his circumstances.
“His unwavering dedication aligns with our Road to Gold initiative, and we are fully committed to assisting him in reaching his best,” she said in a statement today.
Through the National Sports Institute, Hannah added that the process of arranging discussions with Aqil’s family and a prosthetist will explore possibilities for the young athlete, who lost his left leg due to a bacterial infection in 2015.
Aqil is a student at Sekolah Kebangsaan Felda Lepar Utara 1 in Jerantut, Pahang. — August 30, 2023