MALAYSIA MUST WIN MORE THAN SEVEN GOLD MEDALS TO FINISH IN THE TOP 10, SAYS KOK CHI

PETALING JAYA: A top 10 ranking is achievable at the Asian Games in Indonesia but the Malaysian contingent must bring back more than seven gold medals.

The chase for medals starts this Sunday with competitions taking place in Jakarta and Palembang.

Former Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi (pic), in posting his personal assessment, reckons the seven golds target as announced by Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is easier to achieve compared to the 10th place target.

Saddiq said during the flag handing ceremony last Friday that Malaysia will be looking at gold medals to come from track cycling, pencak silat, karate, sepaktakraw, squash and bowling.

“Can Malaysia finish in the 10th placing or higher? This would be very challenging. China, Japan and South Korea will be the top three finishers for sure,” said Kok Chi.

“Based on past records, Thailand should be a very strong rival while Indonesia, being the hosts, would most likely finish ahead of Malaysia.

For the remaining five places, India from South Asia, Kazakhstan from Central Asia, and Iran from West Asia, are strong contenders for the top 10 ranking.

“Malaysia will therefore likely be fighting with North Korea, Taiwan, Qatar and Uzbekistan for the remaining two places.

“It is not an impossible task but nevertheless very challenging. In order to achieve the above target, Malaysia must be targeting to win at least nine golds, if not 10,” he commented in his Facebook account.

Malaysia’s best showing at the Asiad was winning nine golds, 18 silvers and 14 bronzes for 10th spot at the 2010 Guangzhou Games.

However, the contingent settled for five golds, 14 silvers and 14 bronzes in Incheon, South Korea, four years later to place 14th overall.

This will be the second time the Asian Games is held in Jakarta. The first time Jakarta hosted the Asiad was in 1962.

“Malaysia have done quite well, finishing in the top 15 in all the five previous Asian Games, with the best being ranked 10th in Guangzhou in 2010,” said Kok Chi.

“The sports we have good chances to win gold should be in bowling, cycling, karate, pencak silat, sailing, squash and wushu. Other sports with slimmer chances are archery, badminton, diving, equestrian and sepaktakraw.

It is not an impossible task but nevertheless very challenging. In order to achieve the above target, Malaysia must be targeting to win at least nine golds, if not 10. Datuk Sieh Kok Chi