By Azman Zakaria
Photo by Marina Ismail
SERDANG, Nov 16 - Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Assistant Youth and Sports Officer of Pusat Sukan Universiti, Mohamad Azwar Bakar @ Ibrahim, who recorded an outstanding feat and ranked sixth in table tennis at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, received an incentive from UPM.
He received RM1,000 in cash and a certificate which were presented by UPM Vice-Chancellor, Prof Datin Paduka Dr. Aini Ideris at a presentation ceremony of incentives to UPM National Sports Athletes here.
Some 45 national athletes from UPM who represented the country in various international competitions throughout 2016, received the incentives at the event.
Mohamad Azwar, 29, who hailed from Terengganu, competed in the singles table tennis TT10 category in the Paralympic Games for athletes with disabilities, which took place last September from 7 to September 18.
He lost in the quarter-finals to eventual champion from China.
Expressing his gratitude, he said he was overwhelmed and grateful to UPM over its gesture of appreciation for the handicapped.
“UPM gives incentives not only to normal and able-bodied athletes among its students who represented the country but also to the disabled like me,” he said in an interview.
Started working at UPM eight months ago, he said he would assist and give focus in training of students in table tennis.
Previously, Mohamad Azwar took part in the London 2012 Paralympic Games where he was ranked 14th.
He said he used to be interested in a variety of sports but started showing deep interest for table tennis when he was 12 years old, having found the sports to be suitable for him.
"I represented Terengganu in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2008 which was held in Terengganu. From then on, I was called to represent the country under the category of disabled athletes,” he said. – UPM
