Recently, a video of an OKU student who participated in a school sporting event has gone viral. During the race, the student, Muhammad Aqil Naufal Zahiran, 11, who only has one leg, was using a cane and his teacher was giving him moral support from the sidelines.
This video touched the hearts of many and as it had gone viral, it led to many things happening.
On 1 September, Minister of Sports and Youth, Hannah Yeoh shared in a Facebook post that she met with Aqil during a session with a sports medicine expert to determine the type of prosthesis that would be suitable for him and would allow him to compete in sports activities.
According to BERNAMA, the young boy lost his left leg due to a bacterial infection in 2015 and after the session, they determined that he would need a hip disarticulation prosthesis.
The minister was very impressed with the 11-year-old student and said:
“It’s not about being the fastest but about his desire and determination to finish the race that amazed me.”
The sports medicine expert who is in charge of Aqil’s case has said that they will be conducting regular checkups on the young boy to make sure that there will be no complications when he uses the prosthesis.
This meeting was attended by the boy’s mother Noorhafizah Mat Desa, two of his teachers, Cikgu Intan Zulailkha Jusoh and Cikgu Mohd Razif bin Ibrahim and The Malaysian Amputee Football Association (MAFA).
Hannah Yeoh also urged disabled people to apply for an OKU card as a first step.
Those with lower limb disabilities who are looking for a football community can contact 011-36296375 or email moc.liamg@afeetupmaym or go to the Projek Tongkat Facebook page or projek_tongkat on Instagram for more information.
This little champ is surely an inspiration to us all. We hope that he will continue working hard in whatever he does.
Also read: Caring M’sian Teacher Runs Alongside Her OKU Student, Motivates Him to Finish The Race
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