The three athletes who will be competing in the Mount Kinabalu Challenge. Picture: BT/ Anwar Hj Rosly

Three special needs athletes will race to the top of Mount Kinabalu in a challenge that will pit their skills against other teams from Singapore and Malaysia.

The athletes and their coaches from the Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam yesterday left for Sabah to participate in the fifth Mount Kinabalu Challenge from April 1-3.

Representing Brunei are 19-year-old Abd Tarip Brahim, 19-year-old Mohd Nizam Zulhilmi Hussin and 14-year-old Fadhil Alwi Hj Amit from Pusat Ehsan, Pusat Bahagia and Special Education Unit, respectively.

One of the coaches, Hj Wahid Ismail, said the three athletes have been preparing for the mountain climb challenge for two months.

"They have been training well when we brought them to Bukit Shahbandar Recreational Park and Tasek Lama Recreational Park."

Hj Wahid Ismail said they were trained at the parks to learn the methods in climbing the hills. "My personal hope is that these boys can reach the top of the mountain."

Fadhil Alwi, who was selected to participate in this year's challenge, said this is his first time joining the competition.

He expressed his happiness and pride when it came to representing Brunei, and added he is ready for the big challenge after the rigorous training.

His family who was at the Brunei International Airport to provide words of encouragement, said this event was a good chance for Fadhil to learn to be independent while away from his family.

In a phone interview with Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam Sports Director Noel Mendiola he said the athletes will start their race today and will attempt to reach the top of the mountain tomorrow.

"This will be the fifth Mount Kinabalu Challenge that has been organised but it will be the third time that Brunei will be participating."

Present to bid the team farewell at the Brunei International Airport was National Programme Director of Special Olympics Hjh Neza Hj Abd Rahman.

Courtesy from Brunei Times