Hangzhou a net gain for Maldives

Although reaching the podium at the 4th Asian Para Games was just a step too far for Abdul Latheef Mohamed, the badminton player from the Maldives will still cherish his journey in Hangzhou. Apart from being a valuable experience for his own growth as an athlete, Latheef Mohamed's trip will hopefully serve as an inspiration, encouraging more people with disabilities in his homeland to embrace sports.

"When I return from the Asian Para Games, I want to become a kind of ambassador, finding students and kids with disabilities and helping them to one day compete in these kinds of tournaments," he said in an interview with Asiad Daily.

"Still, a lot of kids with disabilities in our country are not willing to participate in these activities. And that is what I want to help change. On social media, I have shared a lot of information about what I am doing here, so those kids can see. Hopefully this will encourage them."

The 43-year-old shuttler is making his Asian Para Games debut in Hangzhou, where he was given the honor of being one of the event's 600 torchbearers.

"This is my first time being a torchbearer. I felt that the support we have here is just amazing. When the relay was over, the audience along the route cheered and took my picture, I was very happy to be a part of it, and to be among the people of Hangzhou," said Latheef Mohamed.

Practicing badminton for 15 years, Latheef Mohamed is also a teacher back home. He told Asiad Daily that, apart from badminton, he has been playing many other sports with his students.

"In my school, we have football, handball and many other different kinds of sports. I love sports, and I organize events for my students."

In the eyes of Ahmed Mohamed, the chef de mission of the Maldives delegation, Latheef Mohamed is "independent, dedicated and disciplined", and the delegation head hopes that the current para athletes of the national team can encourage a younger generation.

"The best part is to create awareness for people with disabilities to believe in themselves. We especially want parents of children with disabilities to know that they can also be part of bigger communities and compete at international-level sports events," he said.

As the Maldives Paralympic Committee was only established in 2019, there is a lot to be done to offer better training and competing conditions for para athletes. One option is cooperation with China.

"We have a plan for further development and inclusion of people with disabilities across the country. Hopefully, we can cooperate and start an exchange program with China. With China's experience of helping para athletes, we can also come here and learn," said Ahmed Mohamed.

"All of our athletes are very happy. Many of them said they never thought they would ever have this chance. It is my responsibility to bring them here and promote them at the Games, so that they can learn from this and make new friends... xie xie (thank you), Hangzhou!"