THE youth and sports minister said “all Malaysians are disappointed” with what is threatening to be the country’s lowest placing at the SEA Games in almost 40 years.
Ahmad Faizal Azumu sounded the alarm despite athletes reaching the set target of 36 golds yesterday, with only two days of competition to go.
But Malaysia, traditionally a regional power, languished sixth in the medals table as of this morning, with hosts Vietnam way out in front with 167 golds, followed by Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Philippines.
“All Malaysians are disappointed because we are not at a higher position,” said Faizal at the Games yesterday, according to state news agency Bernama.
“We should not be content with our sixth position at the Games.”
Malaysia is usually in the regional top five, and the last time it settled for sixth was in 1983, when only eight nations took part, compared to the current 11.
It is set to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, in July-August, while the Asian Games (Asiad) in China later this year have been indefinitely postponed.
Faizal said: “The exposure gained at the SEA Games is crucial for us to achieve more success in other multisports Games like the Commonwealth Games and Asiad.”
The federal government slashed sports spending to RM289 million last year from RM940 million the year before. It also cut down its full-time number of athletes to 288 from 432, months after a poor Tokyo Olympics showing of one silver and one bronze.
Malaysia made a strong start at the SEA Games, winning all eight golds in diving, with the rest of the medals scattered across other sports.
Its last hope for more medals may rest in badminton, one of the few sports it does well in internationally, with semi-finals and finals over the next two days. – AFP, May 21, 2022.
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