Malaysian Canoe Association (MASCA) president Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin has the tough task of following up the strong showing of the national contingent achieved at home in 2017 after being announced as the chef-de-mission for the 2020 Asean Para Games.
The Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) confirmed his appointment as CDM on Tuesday night.
He beat two other candidates to the job according to MPC vice president First Admiral (Rtd) Datuk Subramaniam Raman Nair.
The competition, which traditionally runs after the able-bodied Sea Games, will be held on Jan 18-25 next year in Manila.
“MPC issued an offer letter for the position of CDM to all its affiliates and we had received three candidates,” said Subramaniam, in a joint press conference with Shahriman in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
“I can’t disclose all the candidates but the MPC exco had considered all three and decided to select Megat Shahriman for the role.”
Subramaniam had served as the CDM for the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games when Malaysia finished second overall behind Indonesia and won 90 gold, 85 silver and 83 bronze.
It was the second highest number of medals Malaysia had achieved in the games after their championship winning haul of 143-136-92 in 2001, when the competition was also held in Kuala Lumpur.
That year (2001) was the inaugural edition of the games and amassing such huge numbers is unlikely to be repeated in the future with the competition having matured now.
Shahriman, who earlier this month announced that he will be competing as an athlete in his sport at the Sea Games, said he has much to live up to as the Para Games CDM.
“This is a huge recognition for myself and I will not let our nation and also our athletes down,” said Shahriman.
“Being CDM is a huge responsibility regardless of what competition it is.
“I have the guidance of Datuk Subramaniam and the support of the associations (affiliates) so I do not think it will be a problem for me.
“Obviously we want to win more medals than we did before. At the moment it is too early for me to announce a medal target, we will call for another press conference to do that.”
Subramaniam disclosed that MPC and National Sports Council will conduct an official visit to Manila next month to view the athletes village and competition venues for the games.
The organisers have listed 14 sports for the games so far but are considering adding another four sports.
If all 18 sports are included, it will be the most the competition has ever featured.
A total of 16 sports were included for the 2017 edition, which is the current record for most sports.