GOLDEN DREAM STILL ALIVE

Azim insists contingent’s target in sight despite losing two gold in silat

THE national contingent are not ready to hit the panic button just yet despite having missed out on another two gold from silat yesterday. With only three days of competition left at the Indonesia Asian Games, Malaysia have only four gold to show.

That means the national contingent are still three short of the seven gold target set by the Sports Ministry.

Chef-de-Mission Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi, however, said Malaysia still have a chance of winning gold in a number of sports.

“Of course we are very disappointed that silat did not contribute any gold as we had been expecting them to win,” said Azim.

“But we still have a few more events such as sailing, squash and diving where we are capable of a surprise... ”

Azim insisted that seven gold remains the target of his contingent, and that they are still on course.

Azim remained composed when asked about the silat competition, which was dominated by hosts Indonesia, but which saw some questionable judging.

“Sometimes when we get emotional we can blame anyone, in this case the judges.

“But their decision is final, so we have to accept it.

“I do not want to comment about the quality of the judging, it is not only in silat but also other sports. Maybe they don’t like Malaysia.”