Alor setar: The Kedah State Youth and Sports Department (JBS) is looking for new talent among the para sports community to be promoted to higher levels, including as substitutes for the country's Paralympic athletes, through the INSPIRE i-Talent 2026 programme.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kedah State Youth and Sports Department director Azura Sarbin stated that the programme, taking place across all districts in the state from May 14 to June 16, is part of Kedah JBS's ongoing commitment to empowering the development of sports for people with disabilities (PWD). The INSPIRE i-Talent programme is an initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), aimed at strengthening grassroots sports development for the disabled and serving as a platform to identify new talent within the para-sports community.

Azura explained that the programme aligns with KBS's objective to promote 'Sports for All', enhancing the well-being of individuals and ensuring inclusive participation in sports development for the disabled. The initiative focuses on discovering basic sports talents among the disabled and encouraging their active involvement in sports and recreational activities.

"This programme also serves as a bridge connecting talents identified at the grassroots level to be promoted to the high-performance level," she said. Furthermore, INSPIRE i-Talent 2026 aims to boost enthusiasm and self-confidence in the disabled, encouraging their participation in competitive sports and tournaments.

Azura mentioned that the programme's implementation in Kedah covers 12 districts, with events scheduled at various locations including Bukit Jenun Special Model School, Pendang on May 14; Kedah State Youth and Sports Complex, Alor Setar on May 19; and Tunku Panglima Besar National Secondary School (SMK), Kulim on May 20, among others.

She expressed hope that JBS Kedah's efforts would foster more new talents among state athletes, thereby strengthening sports development for the disabled at both state and national levels. "The INSPIRE i-Talent 2026 program also proves the government's continued commitment in ensuring that the disabled are not left behind in the youth development agenda and national sports," she added.