GO FOR TOP 10
PM wants Asian Games contingent to improve or equal 2010 showing
PRIME Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has challenged the national contingent for the Palembang-Jakarta Asian Games to place Malaysia among the top 10 medal-winning nations.
He set the goal for the 426 national athletes set to compete in 35 sporting events from Aug 18Sept 9.
“If Malaysia managed to be among the best 10 in the previous games, I don’t see why (we) cannot repeat this or do better in 2018.
“I am confident that the contingent this time around is capable of meaningful success.
“It is also because we have world-class athletes such Al Jufferi Jamari for silat, Azizulhasni Awang for cycling, Wong Weng Soon for Wushu, as well as a strong women’s bowling team and men’s hockey squad,” he said at the handing over ceremony of the Jalur Gemilang to the Malaysian contingent.
Also present were Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, Chef-de-Mission (CDM) Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Zabidi and other Cabinet ministers.
In the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, Malaysia were placed among the top 10 nations after securing nine gold out of 41 medals in total.
Dr Mahathir also pointed out how Malaysia had done well in 1998 when the country hosted the Commonwealth Games for the first time.
The national contingent did the country proud by finishing fourth overall with 10 gold, 14 silver and 12 bronze medals.
He said the fighting spirits of athletes such as gold medallists Sapok Biki for boxing, Hidayat Hamidon for weightlifting, G. Saravanan for men’s 50km walk and Nurul Huda Baharin for shooting was strong.
The prime minister said he also prays for the speedy recovery of ailing national badminton ace Lee Chong Wei.
“Although (Lee) cannot be with the Malaysian contingent for the 2018 Asian Games, (his) fighting spirit will be the catalyst for those competing,” said Dr Mahathir.