Parimala (right) hopes Ryan’s achievements in bocce will pave the way for greater opportunities in his future. Photos: Raaginee Shalesh
Despite picking up bocce just six months ago, Ryan Raveen Raj – who has Down syndrome – won three medals at a regional competition last month.
Bocce or lawn bowling is a precision ball sport where players aim to roll balls closest to a smaller target ball, called the pallino, on a flat court.
Ryan, 23, took home two gold medals (singles male and doubles male) and a bronze medal (mix team category) in the competition.
He was among eight Malaysians with disabilities who represented the country at the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Games in New Delhi, winning a total of 20 medals.
Muhammad Adam Daniale (left) and Ryan clinched gold in the doubles male bocce competition in New Delhi. Photo: Rosaniza Tuman
The team clinched 10 medals in bocce (four gold, two silver and four bronze) and 10 medals in bowling (five silver and five bronze). The event, held from Nov 18 to 22, brought together over 250 athletes with special needs from 15 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.
Team Malaysia comprised individuals with Down syndrome (DS), autism, global developmental delay and slow learning abilities.
“I feel happy. Playing bocce is great. I am happy Mummy encouraged me to learn bocce,” said Raj, 23, during a phone interview from Kuala Lumpur recently.
The Special Olympics is more than just a platform for competition; it is a transformative movement that empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities to realise their potential and inspire others. By participating in sports, athletes build confidence, improve physical and mental health, and develop critical life skills such as teamwork and perseverance. These programmes foster inclusion by bringing together people with and without disabilities, promoting understanding and breaking down societal barriers.
A celebration of abilities
Ryan and the other participants are part of Special Olympics Malaysia. Founded in 1999, the non-profit organisation is dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Ryan’s mother, homemaker Parimala Kunju Pillai, 58, couldn’t believe that her son clinched three medals at the competition.
“This is the first time Ryan is participating in a regional bocce competition, and I’m so proud of him. It came as a total surprise when I learned that he won not one, but three medals,” said the mother of two from Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Raaginee (right) says Ryan’s dedication and calmness under pressure are truly admirable.
Parimala decided to enrol Ryan in bocce classes to help boost his confidence and develop his hand-eye coordination skills. She believes that participating in sports provides a valuable opportunity for Ryan to enhance his physical abilities.
“I want Ryan to have a chance to challenge himself, learn new skills, and feel proud of what he can do,” she explained. “Sport helps him grow not just physically, but mentally, and I see how it has given him better confidence.”
Ryan’s bocce coach, Raaginee Shalesh, 52, has seen positive improvement in his skills and communication since he began lessons.
"Initially, I faced some challenges understanding his way of communicating. I worked on helping him speak slowly and building his confidence. Ryan’s strength is his ability to follow instructions and his precision, which is crucial in bocce as it requires strategic thinking.
“During the New Delhi competition, he was calm and kept assuring us he could win. He was not nervous and performed exceptionally well. We are so proud of him. He is among many individuals with intellectual disabilities who have managed to reach their full potential through sports,” said Raaginee, who has over 40 years of experience working with people with special needs.
Working towards independence
Parimala believes that with the right training and skills, children with special needs can thrive and achieve their goals.
“All they need is someone to motivate and guide them. With encouragement, children with intellectual disabilities can reach milestones that once seemed impossible.”
With support and encouragement, individuals with special needs can overcome challenges and achieve success.
She added that Ryan is currently undergoing vocational training at a centre for children with special needs in Puchong, Selangor, where he learns basic living skills, communication skills and independence. She hopes that the skill training he receives at the centre will help her youngest son secure a job in the future.
She spends approximately RM1,100 on his training at the centre, investing in his future and development.
A 2019 study titled Employment Challenges Among Persons with Disabilities in Malaysia highlighted the need to enhance employment support programmes for individuals with disabilities. The study, published in the International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, recommends creating resource guides to help employers recruit, hire, retain and promote individuals with disabilities effectively.
"The issue is many companies are not willing to provide job skills training for people with special needs. There are very few job opportunities for individuals with disabilities in our country, and this makes it difficult for them to earn a living and move towards independence.
"It is my wish that these individuals be given a chance to prove their abilities, and that more companies step forward to offer inclusive opportunities. With the right support and training, they can contribute meaningfully to the workforce and lead independent, fulfilling lives.
“For now, I am supporting Ryan to increase his interest in bocce. Hopefully, he can represent the country in more competitions and continue to grow in confidence and skill, making us proud along the way.”
Source: The Star
2024-12-08T16:00:00Z