Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek
PUTRAJAYA: Youth and Sports Minister Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek announced yesterday that Malaysia will be targeting 45 gold medals at the Indonesian SEA Games which officially kicks off on Nov 11.
“It is a realistic target considering the home ground advantage the hosts have particularly for subjective sports,” he told a press conference after handing over the ‘Jalur Gemilang’ (national flag) to the national contingent at the IOI Resort here yesterday.
He said Malaysia would also have to forgo some certain gold following Daniel Bego and Mohd Hatta Mahamut, swimming and karate stars, not able to compete in the Games due to injuries.
“We are also not sending the top flight team for badminton and wushu queen Chai Fong Ying,” he said.
Ahmad Shabery said Malaysia’s best bet for gold medals was in aquatics, diving, athletics, archery, tenpin bowling and track cycling.
Malaysia will be sending a 872-strong contingent (athletes and officials) to the Games. The athletes will be competing in 38 events.
The chef-de-mission is Datuk Naim Mohamad. This year’s SEA Games will be held in Jakarta and Palembang. The Games end on Nov 22.
At the function, Ahmad Shabery also handed over Shakam sports excellence rewards to several athletes for their resounding success this year.
Chai received the top reward of RM100,000 for winning gold and bronze at the World Wushu Championship held in Ankara last month. — Bernama