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PHNOM PENH – The seemingly slow collection of gold medals may put Malaysia’s target of 40 gold medals at the 2023 SEA Games on the threshold of danger, as all events close this Tuesday.
Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali, the national contingent’s chef de mission (CDM) to the Games, admitted that although he is a little worried about the situation, he remains optimistic that there is still an opportunity for Malaysia to achieve the target.
“There are still a few days left. We have not lost confidence and anything can happen. We will not give up and fight until the end,” he told reporters after spending time watching the badminton competition at the Morodok Techo Badminton Hall here today.
He expects sports such as judo, sepak takraw, weightlifting, and even jet skiing to deliver the goods.
“We are trying our luck at unexpected sports. Today we sent deputy CDM Datuk Shalin Zulkifli to check on the jet ski camp in Sihanoukville, even though we know they are competing for the first time (in the SEA Games).
“Our combat sports are also strong, as was exhibited in karate, silat, and taekwondo. I hope judo will also be successful,” he said.
As of yesterday, Malaysia has managed to win 28 gold medals, out of which four were contributed by karate, followed by four from silat and two from taekwondo.
In the meantime, Nasir also said he hoped the men’s and women’s field hockey squads will not be overconfident, even though they are the favourites to sweep both categories this time.
He admitted that fortune was not on the side of the men’s and women’s indoor hockey squads, after both ended up with silver despite high hopes to deliver gold.
He said the men’s cricket squad were also unable to meet the target of three gold medals, after the host listed imported players from India and Pakistan, the great powers of world cricket.
The men’s and women’s indoor hockey squads lost to Indonesia and Thailand, while the men’s cricket team failed to compete with Cambodia, who disappointed them in the 50-overs and Twenty20I competitions.
Although all the events end on Tuesday, the SEA Games will officially close on Wednesday (May 17). – Bernama, May 13, 2023