JOHOR BAHARU: Terengganu are not ready to surrender the title but Johor want to be crowned champions in front of their own fans while a few others are quietly confident of their chances in the Malaysian Schools Track and Field meet which gets underway at Larkin Stadium today.The east coast giants, who clinched the overall title last year with 13 gold medals, look a serious contender for the title again, judging from their targeted 16 gold medals for this year’s edition. “Our strength is in both the boys and girls U-16 category and we have set a target of 16 gold medals. If we can achieve our target, we can win the championship,” said coach Md Arif Awang yesterday.
The 67-strong Terengganu squad are looking towards their sprinter Harith Amar Mohd Sabri who was a double sprint gold medallist last year in the U-15 category but will be competing in the U-18 category this time around. “He is still the favourite this time and his best so far is 10.9secs for the short sprint and 22.3secs for the 200m,” added Arif.
But Johor, playing hosts because Terengganu’s main stadium, which is currently undergoing repairs after the roof collapsed at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium, are also confident that home ground advantage would give them the edge.
“We are hoping to win 16 gold medals and our strength is in the U-15 category. Performing in front of familiar faces and the RM1,000 per gold medal incentive offered, would drive our athletes on,” said Johor Education Department deputy director Markom Giran.
But while Terengganu and Johor are locked in a physiological warfare, East Malaysian outfit Sarawak are said to be the dark horses of the championship and Kelantan are also in the fray.
Kelantan with 11 gold medals last year have retained most of their medallists and athletics pundits believe if they can perform to expectation, they should give the rest a run for their money.
The same can be said of Sarawak who were once an emerging force in schools athletics until they faded away in the last couple of years.
“But watch out for them this time. They have the potential to make a strong comeback,” said Arif. — Bernama