Special Olympics Malaysia (SOM) is not only about sports. It recognizes that other aspects of an ID athlete’s life - their health, wellbeing, and social inclusion are important contributors to their performance on the playing field, and off the playing field. When you look at the Special Olympics logo, it seems to reflect how important a support ecosystem is to an athlete (the biggest figure with outstretched arms) and their health, wellbeing, and happiness.
Special Olympics has developed programs like the Athlete Leadership (AL) program, with this vital support ecosystem in mind as well. AL looks at developing high-function ID athletes in areas beyond just sports and acknowledges the role of mentors in helping elevate ID athletes’ skills and roles in SO and the community.
One such achievement belongs to Miao Qing, a SO Selangor Athlete who took part in Track & Field in the recent Selangor State Games, and also likes to play bocce, bowling, and table tennis.
He was recently awarded a small start-up funding by the Young Raja of Selangor to kick-start his project SMILE, which stands for “Support My Independent Living Enterprise” a convenience store called SMILE mini store, which you can find out more about here.
To date, he has a collaboration to sell assorted local chips under the BondaG brand, as well as sell DeXandra and Sugarbomb products.
Congrats and well done, Miao Qing.. Special Olympics Selangor is very proud of you!
To show your support, do visit the Smile Ministore at Kiosk 27, Pusat Penjaja MBPJ, Jalan SS22/23, 47400, PJ.
Left Photo is Beh Miao Qing and his mother Carol Chin Saik Guat at the award ceremony.