Sea Games medal target aims to expose back-up athletes
Published on: Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's 56 per cent medals target from 35 sports at Singapore SEA Games is to ensure that national sports associations give more exposure to back-up athletes.National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said sports associations should change the mindset of back-up athletes by preparing them for the Malaysia Games (Sukma) and the SEA Games."The target set is a new approach. If we only target the gold medal, the associations will have a tendency to only bring their senior athletes.
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"The SEA Games is a medium to expose young athletes over a long period. We need to adjust as their aim is to do well at Sukma," he told reporters after opening the Second National Football Development Coaching symposium at the National Sports Institute (NSI), here Monday.A total of 210 coaches participated in the three-day symposium themed "Back To Basics," comprising theory and practical sessions, and involves five local and international football experts.Asked about the probability of athletes taking it easy at Singapore SEA Games as the target was on medals, regardless of colour, Shapawi said this would be unwise."Athletes who stand the chance of winning the gold medal will not give up and settle for the silver or the bronze medal. The athletes will still aim for the gold medal as it brings incentives under the Podium Programme.
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On Sunday, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that Malaysia had set a a 56 per cent medals target from the 35 sports at Singapore SEA Games.He said the target set by the Malaysian contingent painted a more comprehensive picture of sports development in this country, especially among back-up athletes.
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Meanwhile, the Federation of National Silat Associations (Pesaka) aims to win at least 10 medals regardless of colour at the Singapore SEA Games.Pesaka deputy secretary Osman Nok said they are targeting at least two gold medals at the games to be officially opened on June 5."We are banking on seniors Mohd Al-Jufferi Jamari in the Men's C Class (30-32 kg), Mohd Fauzi Khalid in the Men's F Class (36-38kg) and Siti Rahmah Mohd Nasir in the Women's D Class (32-34kg) to deliver the gold medals," he told Bernama today.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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