Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (centre) with the Malaysian contingent after the handing over of Jalur Gemilang to the Asian Games-bound athletes at the Dataran Perdana in Putrajaya. — Bernama photo
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian contingent to the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, from Aug 18 to Sept 2, is targeting seven gold medals, said Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
“The target is seven gold, but, with luck, InsyaAllah, 11 gold,” he said, adding that the contingent also aimed to secure a top 10 finish at the Games.
“The sport events that can give us the gold are cycling, karate, sepak takraw, pencak silat dan tenpin bowling,” he told reporters after the handing over of the Jalur Gemilang to the contingent at Dataran Perdana, Putra Perdana Building.
Earlier, Syed Saddiq handed the Jalur Gemilang to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who then handed over the national flag to Malaysia’s Chef de Mission (CDM) to the 2018 Asian Games, Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohamad Zabidi.
Abdul Azim then handed it over to Malaysia’s flag bearer karate exponent Syakilla Salni Jefry Krishnan.
At the same event, national track cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang presented the “jaket harimau”, which is the official dress of the Malaysian contingent to the 2018 Asian Games, to the prime minister.
Also present were Deputy Prime Mnister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, cabinet members and Malaysia Olympic Council president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria.
Malaysia’s contingent to the 2018 Asian Games comprises 426 athletes and 140 officers.
They will take part in 35 of the 40 events at the world’s second largest sports meet. – Bernama