KUALA LUMPUR: The Youth and Sport Ministry are eyeing four gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics although the nation has yet to win a first gold medal in the Olympics history.
Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Youth and Sport minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the country’s medal hopes would hinge on badminton (2) from Datuk Lee Chong Wei (men’s singles); Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong (men’s doubles); Mohd Azizulhasni Awang (men’s track cycling) and Pandelela Rinong (women’s diving).
“If we try hard and with a stroke of luck, I feel we can are not looking at one but four gold medals because our ‘Road To London 2012’ programme is geared towards that goal,” he said after signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Sports Council (NSC) and 100PLUS and launching the 500 days countdown for the Road To London programme here yesterday.
Ahmad Shabery said Chong Wei had gained a physiological advantage by demolishing his nemesis Lin Dan, referred to as the Great Wall of China in the badminton circle, to win the All England title last night.
Chong Wei who was in superb form, beat Lin Dan 21-17, 21-17 to defend the title he had won last year, enroute to denying Lin Dan’s fifth All England title.
“Koo and Tan always displayed courage with their spirited performances and Azizulhasni remains the number one track cyclist, especially in the keirin event.
“Pandelela has won the silver medal in the World Junior Diving Championships and Asian Games and is now ranked one place behind China’s world number one,” he said.
The ‘Road To London’ programme comprises 77 athletes from seven sports, namely badminton, archery, cycling, diving, shooting, hockey and football.
Meanwhile, F&N Beverages Marketing Sdn Bhd’s Corporate Communication manager Datuk Kamal Harun said 100PLUS would contribute RM4 million to the NSC for the promotion of the ‘Road To London’ programme. — Bernama