QABIL DREAMS OF OLYMPIC RIDE IN TOKYO

TO make it to the Olympics will be anoth her momentous achievement for equestrian n athlete Qabil Ambak but the huge costs is a big deterrent.

And the reigning Asian Games individual dressage silver medallist Qabil fears his Olympic hopes will remain a dream.

“Making the Olympics is the biggest goal of f every athlete,” said Qabil, whose silver won on Thursday was his sixth Asian Games medal.

“I want to try for the Olympics as Malaysia has never had a representative in equestrian before. “But this sport is expensive. You need to go tto most of the competitions in Europe as that is where most of the ranking points are awarded for Olympic qualifying. “The cost to put a rider in the Olympics may take up to RM5mil and that is just for tthe support system.

“It does not include the price of the horse. “You need a good horse to have a chance to get into the Olympics.”

The multiple SEA Games gold medallist used his sister’s horse and spent RM1mil in his preparation for the Asian Games.

“Most of the countries who have riders aiming to qualify for the Olympics are able to focus and train full-time as they have support either directly through government or private sector sponsorship,” he said.

“Jacqueline Siu, who won the individual dressage gold, is supported fully by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for many years already.

“It’s very, very tough if there is no funding support,” said Qabil, who will compete in showjumping event tomorrow.