Nine-gold target within reach, says minister

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KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek believes Malaysia can still achieve the 9-gold target set for the Guangzhou Asian Games.

Ahmad Shabery said though the Malaysian contingent missed a number of expected gold medals from badminton and women’s bowling, hopes remain high in other sports like squash, karate and men’s bowling.

“Apart from the three, there is still hope in hockey and diving as Pandelela Rinong may be able to pull off an upset. Whatever it is, we are not giving up hope,” he told reporters at the Selangor Badminton Association’s Datuk Haji Sidek Hall here yesterday.

Ahmad Shabery was speaking to reporters after witnessing a sponsorship signing ceremony for the Senheng-Samsung Badminton Junior 2010 and scholarship programme to 10 national back up players, between Senheng Electric (KL) Sdn Bhd and Samsung Malaysia Electronics Sdn Bhd.

Founder and Managing Director of Senheng Electric, Lim Kim Heng signed the sponsorship deal with Samsung Malaysia Electronics Managing Director Yu Jai Sul.

Also present were shuttlers Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong.

Ahmad Shabery said the overall performance of the Malaysian contingent in Guangzhou was positive.

Meanwhile, the Senheng-Samsung Junior Badminton Championships 2010 featuring 50 players will he held from Dec 3-5 at Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Choong Wen, here.

The best 50 players in the championships would be identified to undergo three months of intensive training at the Looi Badminton Academy (LooiBA) here and the top 10 players who excel during the training, will be awarded ‘Senheng-Samsung Badminton Talent Scholarship’ for three years, worth a total of RM1.1 million. — Bernama