Kedah set 25gold target in Perak Sukma

IPOH: RM1,000 in cash will be given to every Kedah’s gold medal list at the competition venue for the 19th Malaysia Games (Sukma) which begins today until Sept 22.

State contingent head Mohd Asmirul Anuar Aris said the cash award is over and above the incentive announced earlier which was RM3,500 for the gold medal in individual event, RM2,000 for silver and RM1,000 for bronze.

He added that the bonus was to boost interest among the Kedah athletes.

“We thank the organisers for providing the best accommodation and logistics for our contingent,” he said when met at the Amanjaya Badminton Arena, Ipoh City Council Sports Complex yesterday.

Kedah is targeting 25 gold medals out of the total of 28 sports it is contesting.

Its best medal prospects are in squash, sailing, badminton, cycling, football and muaythai.

The northern state is represented by 469 athletes and 197 officials at this edition of the biennial games.

As of yesterday, the first day of the Games, Kedah has yet to win any medal.

Meanwhile, a total of 14 gold medals are up for grabs today in the women’s 30km and men’s 40km time trials, wushu (seven), judo (five) and gymnastics (one).

The Perak Sukma offers 427 gold medals involving 29 sports at 39 venues in 12 districts in the state.

This is the second time Perak is hosting the Sukma since 1994.