In most Malaysian homes, the family remains under one roof until the children are married. Relationships are close-knit; they are protective of their own. Traveling to the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 means that Special Olympics Malaysia athlete Thamillarasan “Thamil” Satiaselen will be the furthest he’s ever been from his mother and brother. He will compete in Unified floorball, which joins individuals with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. While the progress of inclusivity for individuals with intellectual disabilities in Malaysia has been slow to develop, Special Olympics Malaysia has played a key role in driving change.
“Malaysia is not that advanced in Special Olympics, especially when it comes to inclusion,” said Special Olympics Malaysia Assistant Head of Delegation Sivanesan Govindasamy. “This is the second time we are bringing Unified partners to a World Games. I see they work closely, and they understand each other. It’s a new start for Malaysia.”
For Thamil, competing in World Games represents a new chapter. His first time on a plane, Thamil describes it as the feeling of “being in heaven.” Soaring over familiar streets and people, he was nervous about the destination ahead. A high school student, Thamil attends special education classes at a traditional school, where he first learned of Special Olympics in 2021. His teacher recommended he get involved, so he first competed in an exhibition floorball game hosted by the school and went on to be selected for competition in the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025.
His mother could not fathom the distance that would separate them, but the Special Olympics Malaysia Unified floorball team reassured her, he is in good hands. They protect their own too, just as a family does. For Unified floorball, Special Olympics athletes compete alongside their Unified partners, individuals without intellectual disabilities. Pavitraa Puveneswaran, one of two females competing as Unified partners, is joining an all-male team of athletes, individuals with intellectual disabilities. An experienced floorball athlete, she had never experienced anything quite like Special Olympics.
“It’s not just an organization,” said Pavitraa. “It’s a place, a platform where they connect people and make people with intellectual disabilities feel more included. It’s a privilege to be able to spread the word and make people be aware of it.”
Pavitraa is a final-year economics student at Universiti Malaya, working toward her bachelor’s degree. Growing up, she played many sports, including badminton and martial arts. But the floorball court was different, she felt unstoppable. Although the sport is not well-known in Malaysia, she found a dedicated team in Special Olympics.
“I’ve never played on a mixed team, like guys and girls,” said Pavitraa. “I was so surprised because these boys that I’ve met, they are all so nice, friendly and amazing. They are so welcoming; they treat me like a sister. I see them like my brothers.”
Because the team is spread across the country, they travel regularly to train in the capital of Kuala Lumpur, with some commuting up to four hours to practice. Slowly but surely, the mission of inclusion is growing, reaching the furthest corners of Malaysia.
“Malaysia right now is in the trying stage,” explained Pavitraa. “It’s not up there when it comes to the facilities, the acknowledgement, the awareness that people with disabilities receive… It’s not about being able to connect with them, it’s about choosing them as well. It’s about standing with them equally, helping them to achieve their dreams and knowing that we are also a part of their stories.”
In 2023, 18 of the 22 Special Olympics Malaysia athletes who attended the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin returned with medals. They were received by the Malaysia Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh and honored for their achievements.
“People are recognizing them after those Games,” said Sivanesan. “Before, no one knew about Special Olympics and now they are talking about them coming home with gold medals.”
Two years later, 10 athletes and Unified partners will represent Special Olympics Malaysia, hoping for another celebratory homecoming. Though Thamil wishes his family could be in attendance, they are cheering on the person he has become, the person he is becoming, from the place he loves most.
“All this while, I have been stuck,” said Thamil. “Through floorball, I found purpose – to make Malaysia proud and to do my best.”
Their presence at the Special Olympics World Games Turin 2025 is proof that a shared, inclusive mindset is possible. What starts with a floorball match extends to a lifestyle change off the field of play. All eyes on them, Special Olympics Malaysia represents just how far Malaysia has come, and just how far they can go.
