SEPANG, Nov 2 — Malaysia’s two gold and three bronze medals won at the IPC Athletics World Championship proves the country is on the right track for the Rio Paralympic Games in Brazil next year.

National Sports Council (NSC) director-general, Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said the achievement of the paralympic athletes was a proud moment for the country.

“The paralympic athletes managed to better the one gold medal won at the same Games in Lyon, France in 2013. God willing, we can expect them to win a medal in Rio.

“Athletes who did well will be considered for the Podium Programme,” he told reporters after welcoming the paralympians at KL International Airport (KLIA), here, today.

The 2015 IPC Athletics World Championship from Oct 22 to 31 was held in Doha, Qatar.

Under the yet to be launched Podium Programme, the paralympic athletes will receive more attention, allocations and support.

Shapawi said the allocation for paralympic sports rose annually due to the outstanding performance of the athletes in international competitions.

Under the prize-winning scheme (Shakam), the gold medallists will receive RM80,000, the silver medallists, RM40,000 and bronze medallists, RM20,000.

Malaysia’s two gold medals in Doha were won by Abdul Latif Romly in the T20 long jump and Mohammad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi in the T36 100m.

The three bronze medals were from Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli (F20 shot putt), Mohamad Saifuddin Ishak (T12 long jump) and Siti Noor Iasah (T20 400m).

Meanwhile, NSC Paralympic Branch director, Mohd Safrushahar Yusoff said so far, only the cyclists had qualified for the Rio Paralynmpic Games.

“Qualification for Rio will be completed in stages from February to May next year. We expect to have the full list of athletes by May.

“Athletes who did Malaysia proud are our hopes in Rio,” he told Bernama at KLIA today.

Over 20 athletes from eight sports, namely athletics, powerlifting, swimming, cycling, sailing, table tennis, archery and wheelchair fencing are expected to qualify for Rio. — Bernama