PENANG will proudly host the Asia Pacific Deaf Multi Sports Championship 2026, which is scheduled to take place from Oct 3 to Oct 10.
The prestigious championship is expected to attract participants from 17 countries and territories across the Asia-Pacific region, bringing together approximately 800 athletes, officials and delegates to compete in five sporting disciplines namely badminton, athletics, tenpin bowling, chess and table tennis.
Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Malaysian Deaf Sports Association (MSDeaf) and the Asia Pacific Deaf Sports Confederation (APDSC) for placing their confidence in Penang as the host state.
“The selection of Penang as the host for this prestigious championship is a meaningful recognition of the state’s capability in organising international sporting events.
“It also reflects the regional sporting community’s confidence in Penang’s facilities, infrastructure and the state government’s continuous commitment to promoting inclusive, progressive and sustainable sports development,” Gooi said during a press conference at Komtar today.
Also present were Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP) director Harry Chai Heng Hua, MSDeaf president Dr Ong Shin Ruenn, MSDeaf secretary-general Kamarzaman Harun, and APDSC treasurer Lim Heng Tuck.
Gooi said hosting the championship would also deliver broader strategic benefits for Penang, particularly in strengthening its growing sports tourism industry.
“The arrival of athletes, officials, family members and international visitors is expected to generate positive economic spillover for various sectors, including hospitality, transportation, retail, food and beverage, as well as the local services industry.
“Beyond fostering healthy competition and sporting excellence, the championship will also serve as an important platform to strengthen friendship and mutual understanding among nations through the universal language of sport,” he said.
Gooi emphasised that the Penang government firmly believes that sport transcends physical, social and communication barriers.
“As such, sports development must be carried out in a comprehensive and equitable manner so that no one is left behind in pursuing opportunities to grow, compete and achieve their fullest potential.
“In this regard, Penang has taken a clear and progressive approach by recognising deaf sports as a distinct sporting discipline with its own identity, aspirations and ecosystem,” he said.
He added that the approach is consistent with the state government’s commitment to ensuring fair and balanced treatment for all categories of athletes, including able-bodied, para and deaf athletes.
“This recognition is not merely symbolic. It reflects our belief that every athlete deserves equal opportunities, respect and support in pursuing sporting excellence.
“The deaf sporting community has consistently demonstrated its capabilities through remarkable achievements at both the national and international levels, reinforcing its position as an important asset to Malaysia’s sports development,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Ong said the Asia Pacific Deaf Multi Sports Championship was established to promote deaf sports, which operates under its own sporting structure and is separate from the Paralympic movement.
He also thanked Gooi and Chai for their unwavering support in helping the association organise the championship.
During the same press conference, Gooi announced that the Penang Deaf Association (PDA) and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will jointly organise The Colourful Run 9.0 on Oct 4 at Gurney Paragon Mall.
The run will take participants along Persiaran Gurney and the Andaman Bridge.
“The organisers are targeting 1,500 participants, comprising members of the deaf community, students from special education schools, the general public and corporate representatives.
“Besides promoting an active and healthy lifestyle, the programme also aims to raise RM100,000 to support educational initiatives, community development and welfare programmes for the deaf community in Penang,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Law Suun Ting