ARCHERY EXPECTED TO BE DROPPED FROM ROAD TO LONDON PROGRAMME

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- Archers who were off the mark at the Asian
Games in Guangzhou may be dropped from the 2012 'Road to London' programme that
is aimed at winning the country's first Olympic gold medal.

Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said a port-mortem
would be conducted to identify the weaknesses and problems and a discussion held
with the respective sports associations and athletes concerned.

"We will have an in-depth look at the problems, among them are athletics,
swimming and archery which failed to win any medals in Guangzhou," he told
reporters after chairing a National Sports Council board meeting here Thursday.

He said athletics failed to deliver any medals at the Commonwealth Games in
New Delhi or Asian Games.

He added that archery could also be dropped from the "Road To London"
programme after failing to produce satisfactory results at the Laos SEA Games,
New Delhi Commonwealth Games and Guangzhou Asian Games.


"A decision will be made an announced soon after meeting the association,
coaches and athletes. If they cannot convince us, we may have to look at other
potential sports," he said.

He added that the National Sports Council was however, satisfied with the
overall performances and achievement throughout the year, especially sports like
cycling, diving, badminton, football and hockey.

"We have succeeded in ending the year by creating public excitement towards
sports and increased publics' support towards the national contingent. That is a
good achievement," said Ahmad Shabery.

He added that cycling, diving, shooting, archery, badminton and men's hockey
were placed under the Road to London programme aimed at winning the country's
first gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics.