MALAYSIA’S seven-gold target for the 2022 Commonwealth Games from July 28 to August 8 should be lowered, Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu said.

He said it is more realistic to aim for five or six golds now that badminton singles ace Lee Zii Jia and women’s squash player S. Sivasangari have withdrawn from the Birmingham Games.

“(But) I think diver Pandelela Rinong is now a gold prospect based on her performance at the world championships in Hungary recently.

“This is just my personal opinion. It is up to the Olympic Council of Malaysia and National Sports Council to review the gold medal target,” he told reporters after attending a dinner to honour 23 former athletics greats in Perak here last night.

In Hungary, Pandelela won two bronze medals in women’s 10m platform and 10m synchronised platform, beating divers from other Commonwealth countries. 

On June 28, Malaysia’s Commonwealth Games chef de mission Shahrul Zaman Yahya said the seven-gold target would be revised following the withdrawals of Lee and Sivasangari.

Faizal hoped that the 102 national athletes bound for the Commonwealth Games would give their best and bring glory to the country.

“I am confident that our athletes can spring some surprises, or at least gain valuable experience at the games,” he added.

Asked on Sivasangari’s condition, Faizal said the world no. 16 was still recovering from her injuries sustained in a road accident and would need time to get back on court. – Bernama, July 10, 2022.