Malaysia Targets 111 SEA Games Gold Medals, 103 for ASEAN Para Games

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is targeting to be overall champions at the 29th SEA Games and 9th ASEAN Para Games, with the respective targets of 111 and 103 gold medals . Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the targets were set after taking into consideration all factors and analyses which could enable Malaysia to become overall champions of both meets. “We chose 111 and 103 gold medals after seeing the present scenario whereby we are optimistic on some sports and conservative on others. “This is a balanced figure even though I received analyses saying we could rake in more while some predicted less,” he said. He was speaking at a media conference after the KL2017 Jalur Gemilang (national flag) handing over ceremony (picture) to the national contingents at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here Thursday. The national flag was handed over by Prime Minister Najib Razak. In this regard, Khairy said there were no specific sports targeted as gold mines for the country so as not to put undue pressure on athletes. Meanwhile, commenting on the national target, SEA Games contingent head Marina Chin said the announced target was achievable. “I do not see the target as a pressure to me but I do not want the target to be a pressure on the athletes. We do not want to determine who will deliver the medals as I believe our athletes are capable,” she said. Marina said as a former athlete, she preferred to put a target to improve or raise the performance of athletes and translate them into medals. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA