SEA Games: Malaysia target 36 gold medals in Hanoi

The 146-medal target, which was significantly lower than the country's haul at the 2019 SEA Games, was announced by Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday

In the 2019 edition in the Philippines, Malaysia took home 55 gold medals, along with 58 silver and 72 bronze.

This year's medal target set for the 584-strong national contingent also raised eyebrows because, since the 1997 SEA Games, Malaysia never failed to win less than 40 gold medals.

Petang tadi saya menghadiri Majlis Penyerahan Jalur Gemilang ?? kepada Kontinjen Malaysia ke Sukan SEA Vietnam 2021. Saya yakin mereka yang terpilih ini mampu untuk sama-sama mengharumkan nama negara. Ayuh ulangi kegemilangan Malaysia. #DemiMalaysia ✊️#MalaysiaBoleh ?? pic.twitter.com/ktSdqo9czG

— Faizal Azumu (@PejaOfPerak) April 27, 2022

However, Ahmad Faizal explained that there were several factors behind the low medal target.

"As many as 338 athletes will be competing at the SEA Games for the very first time. We must understand that they need exposure at the international level to challenge themselves to win medals.

"We have a bigger agenda to take this momentum to the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Olympics after this, so the medal target set is realistic," he said.

He also highlighted about the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemice, and several sports and events that Malaysia bagged medals in three years ago not being contested in Hanoi, including squash, lawn bowls, rhythmic gymnastics and waterskiing.

Despite all that, Ahmad Faizal expressed his confidence in the national contingent to deliver the results expected from them.

"Based on the current performances, we stand a chance to win gold medals in taekwondo, wushu, petanque, pencak silat, bodybuilding and several other sports," he added.