Para Sailor Spotlight - Handing the reins to the next generation of Malaysian sailors

Four Malaysian Para Sailors took part in the PDP, two of whom – Nurul Nazirah Binti Ngah and Mat Ridwan Bin Yah – only began to sail in 2021. Their development has been helped by the support of their more experienced team members, Nurul Amilin Binti Balawi and Mustafah Bin Junell, themselves veterans of numerous Paralympic qualification campaigns, including at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The pair sailed together at the 2014 Asian Para Games, winning bronze, and followed it up in 2015 with silver. Mustafah once again helped Malaysia to qualify for the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016, the last time sailing was a Paralympic event.

“I started sailing in 2005. I immediately loved the challenges in the sport,” said Mustafah. “Helping Malaysia to qualify for the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games was a huge achievement. I am very proud of helping our country to qualify. The races were always challenging because there are a lot of very good sailors around the world, but to be there and representing Malaysia is a great honour.”

Amilin tried several sports before finding sailing in 2011 and is now looking ahead at helping the next generation. “From this program, I hope I can help to grow the sport in Malaysia. There are a small number of sailors, but I would like to be able to encourage more to try sailing.

“I would like to see my country win a medal at the Paralympics in the future,” she adds.

The PDP was the ideal opportunity for the newcomers to learn from their team mates, World Sailing coaches and each other in an exciting environment designed to bring out the best in each other. Mustafah teamed up with Amilin, as they have so many times before, while Nazirah and Mat Ridwan gained more minutes on the water together in pursuit of honours for the country.

Mustafah and Amilin finished a close second in the Hansa 303 Gold race, just one point behind the Singaporean pair of Jovin Tan and Ryan Sim, another experienced and highly decorated pairing. Mat and Nazirah claimed first place in the Hansa 303 Silver race.

“I hope that when I go back to Malaysia there is the chance to take part in racing or travel to other countries to sail,” said Mat.

Nazirah echoes this dream, “I really want to expand para sailing in my state and encourage women with disabilities to take up sailing. I want to learn how to start properly. I am very new to the sport and there is so much to discover. The sport has motivated me, and I want to share this with others.”

Key to the future is the reinstatement of sailing as a Paralympic event. All four members of the Malaysian team would dearly love the opportunity to represent their country. Some for the first time or one last time, but all want to inspire more people in Malaysia to embrace the sport.

Nazirah says, “I really hope that sailing is reinstated, and if there is a chance for me to go to the Paralympic Games, I will make my state very proud as the first woman to compete at the Games.”

Mustafah, who would be aiming for his third qualification, agrees. “It would make us all very happy if sailing was reinstated as a Paralympic event and I would love to be able to help Malaysia to qualify for LA28,” he adds.

Amilin is equally hopeful, “I hope the sport can become a Paralympic Event again and I would love to compete there – one day.”

However, for Mat Ridwan, competing in his first regatta at the PDP in Singapore, reinstatement is about more than just the next Games. He sees it as crucial to the long-term development of the sport and explains why being able to compete at the Paralympics is so important to the sailors.

“I am still very new to the sport, so I haven’t achieved anything yet, but I’m always looking to improve. In the future, I want to achieve something for my country. If there is a chance to represent Malaysia at LA28 I will try my very best to be part of the team.

“I also hope that Para Sailing can be developed in Malaysia, and that there is another generation after mine who can enjoy the sport.

“The sport needs to continue to offer people of all ages an opportunity to sail in competitions around the world and meet sailors and new friends from other countries. This has been the best part of the program for me.”