Tough Task Ahead For Malaysian Gymnasts In The Philippines

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysian gymnasts face an arduous task ahead in their bid to pile the medals at the November SEA Games in the Philippines following the host nation's decision to only contest the individual categories after having dropped the team events. Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF) vice-president Kau Git Kaur said Malaysia's aim to secure as many gold medals as possible is now scuppered as our gymnasts have always dominated the team events. The events to be contested now are the six men all around categories and for the women, the four apparatus events involving the vault, uneven bars, floor and balance beam. At the same time, the hosts have also introduced new rules with regard to points collection, which he claims will favour their gymnasts, he said. “They (host country) have come up with a ruling where from the men's six events, the tally will be counted based on four events with the highest points. “Say, for example, if the Filipino gymnasts are good in one or two events but not so in the others, their tally will be based on the events they excel in,” he said when met after a Gymnastics Working Committee meeting here Tuesday. He said MGF is now focusing on the men's individual all-around and all of the women's category events. Selection for the final squad will be decided after gauging the performances of trainees in a series of international meets, including the Singaporean Open from June 1-3 and the Asian Championships in Mongolia on June 18. Seven male and nine female gymnasts are currently undergoing training for the SEA Games, with two female gymnasts sidelined through injury. MGF was also waiting for the green light from Japan to allow the national squad to train there as the country has the best facilities in view of their preparations to host the 2020 Olympics, he said. -- BERNAMA