KLANG, 11 Dec: Paralympic Athletes, Hasihin Sanawi and Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli were among the 98 recipients of royal decorations and honours in commemoration of the 67th Birthday Celebrations of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
They were both evidently excited and did not expect to receive the Sultan Sharafudin Idris Shah Setia Royal Decoration (Darjah Kebesaran Setia-Sultan Sharafudin Idris Shah (S.I.S)) in a ceremony that was held at the Shah Alam Palace, Balairung Seri, this morning.
Hasihin, 29, winner of the silver medal in archery at the London 2012 Paralympic Games felt very proud and honoured with the decoration received.
“As a paralympic athlete, I felt overwhelmed that we were given such recognition by the Sultan of Selangor.
“This would also be a boost for me and other paralympic athletes to work harder for the Myanmar Paralympic championship next year,” he said.
Also feeling proud was Ziyad, 22, who said that the decoration was a recognition of the highest degree that he has attained at his young age.
“After the ceremony this morning, I will be going to Kuantan Pahang to represent the state in the Paralimpian Championship.
“Sure, I’m more eager to achieve success in raising the state’s name and not forgetting the country after this,” said Ziyad who received the Bronze Medal in the Shot Put event at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
Both of them are full-time athletes under the Malaysian Paralympic Council.
Among the other recipients was the Chief Justice, Tun Arifin Zakaria, who received the Seri Paduka Mahkota Selangor Royal Decoration (Darjah Kebesaran Seri Paduka Mahkota Selangor (S.P.M.S)), which carries the title ‘Datuk Seri’.
Also receiving decorations was the former State Secretary who was also the former mayor of Shah Alam, Datuk Ramli Mahmud.
He is currently the Chairman of the Selangor Waqaf Department and received the Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Datuk Setia Royal Decoration (Darjah Kebesaran Datuk Setia – Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (S.S.I.S)) which carries the title ‘Datuk Setia’.
The function was also graced by the presence of Sultan Sharafuddin’s royal family apart from the attendance of the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and his wife, Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut.
Also present were members of the State Executive Council, members of the state assembly as well as other special guest.