Best medal tally but national para athletes wary of Indonesia
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian para athletics squad’s best ever performance in the Asean Para Games (APG) which ended yesterday, augers well for the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta next year, said athletics chief coach R Jeganathan.
Jeganathan who was instrumental in the success of the athletics squad that won three gold medals at the Rio Paralympics in Brazil last year said Malaysia’s ability to win 36 gold, 27 silver and 30 bronze was the best ever in the APG history.
Never mind the fact that Indonesia who will be hosting the 2018 Asian Games and Asian Para Games next year emerging as the overall champion in track and field events with 40 gold, 28 silver and 17 bronze medals, because Malaysia managed to surpass previous edition overall champion Thailand who managed 26 gold, 33 silver and 31 bronze medals, said Jeganathan.
“We may have failed to achieve the 40-gold target but it was a far better achievement than the 27 gold medals won in Singapore two years ago and finishing third behind Thailand and Indonesia,” said Jeganathan when met by Bernama after track and field events ended on Friday.
He said the emergence of Indonesia as the new power in Paralympics sports must be given specific attention when preparing for the Asian Para Games next year since they would have an additional tonic in their hostile home fans when hosting the games.
“We however, cannot take anything away from our athletes who had performed exceptionally well. All credit to them and I am very happy and proud with their hard work, commitment and dedication.
“Many of them had either set a new Asian record, Games record or personal best,
“I am confident that if they (athletes) can maintain their momentum and hard work, they will be able to qualify for the International Paralympic Council (IPC) World Championships in the future,” he said.
Jeganathan said more talented
We may have failed to achieve the 40-gold target but it was a far better achievement than the 27 gold medals won in Singapore two years ago. — R Jeganathan, athletics chief coach
para athletes need to be identified and groomed for National duty as a replacement for ageing elite athletes who decide to retire.
He said the athletics squad would take a two-week break before resuming training and preparations for the 2018 Asian Para Games.
Athletics was the biggest contributor to the country’s overall medal tally with 36 gold