Commonwealth Games: M’sia poised for top 10

GOLD COAST: The national contingent has four more days to collect medals at the same time putting Malaysia among the top 10 nations in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

Malaysia’s contingent chief, Huang Ying How said Malaysia was on the right track to realise the dream of the country which was much publicised since the establishment of the Podium Programme in 2015 by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

“Our challenge here will end in four days but we expect some more medals will be contributed by the athletes. We are not putting too high a hope but I am confident they (athletes) always do their best,” he said.

Among the sports that had the opportunity to contribute medals were diving, gymrama and field bowling including athletes who were expected to create more new national records.

Meanwhile, for badminton and squash, Huang hoped the players would remain focused on one match at a time before putting too high expectations.

Huang, who is also the president of the Malaysian Squash Racquets Association (SRAM), said although the squash team consisted of young players, they were well prepared to showcase the best action.

This was proven when a pair of young players, Rachel Arnold-S.Sivasangari created a surprise by shocking world champion pair from New Zealand, Joelle King-Amanda Landers Murphy in the first group stage match.

“Here, we can conclude that we are still on the right track because we do not know when medals will be won. Sports that we don’t expect (to win medals) can bring medals. For example, weightlifting is also a medal contributor to the country, “he said.