Two Disabled Students To Represent Malaysia In International Abilympics In France

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Two special education students of the Selayang Community College, Yap Hee Heng and Muhamad Safiuddin Rosli, will be representing Malaysia in the International Abilympics in Bordeaux, France next month. Yap, 21, and Muhamad Safiuddin, 23, who are deaf and mute, will compete with participants from 55 countries to prepare and serve French cuisine in the competition from March 23 to 27. Community College Studies Department director-general, Amir Md Noor said this was the first time Malaysia would be sending two disabled students to compete in the culinary category since the competition was first held 35 years ago. "It's an international vocational skills competition for persons with disabilities held once in four years to change public perception on their potentials and abilities," he said when introducing the two contestants, here, Thursday. The Abilympics, coined from the phrase 'Olympics of Abilities', aims at improving the vocational skills of persons with disabilities in order to promote their participation in socio-economic activities. The first International Abilympics was held in Tokyo, Japan in 1981 with 42 categories and participated by 55 countries. While in France, Yap and Muhamad Safiuddin will be accompanied by an official, Asfarul Azwan Haris, who is a special education lecturer. -- BERNAMA