Malaysia aims to win more than 67 golds at SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): Host country Malaysia is still hoping to win more than 67 gold medals at the 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, despite deteriorating performances within some sports agencies lately.

Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said on Tuesday that the problems faced by the organizations would not affect the national squad's preparations for the Sept. 8 to Sept. 17 Games.

When Kuala Lumpur hosted the Games in 1989, their team won 67 golds -- the best achievement in the history of their participation in the Games.

"As I understand it, we are still sticking to the objective of winning more than 67 gold medals at the 2001 SEA Games ... there is no change to that," Hishammuddin was quoted as saying by Bernama.

"I may announce our actual target next month," he said.

The Games -- which offer 391 gold, 391 silver and 501 bronze medals -- will take place in Klang Valley, Seremban, Johor Baharu and Penang.

As part of the country's preparations, Malaysia will also send two boxers to the World Amateur Boxing Championships to be held in Northern Ireland from June 3 to June 10.

Boxing team manager Abdullah Siok said that Rakib Ahmad and Jaiwat Jaymum were selected for the championships based on their form in recent training stints held in Kyrgyzstan and Australia.

"We believe the duo will be able to achieve something for the country at the championships," he told Bernama.

In another development, Hishammuddin denied that National Sports Council (NSC) Director-General Datuk Mazlan Ahmad had rejected the role of chef-de-mission for Malaysia at the Games.

"It is not true that he has rejected the offer. Let the OCM (Olympic Council of Malaysia) discuss the matter, as it comes under their jurisdiction," he said.

The OCM had earlier appointed Mazlan to the position but he requested some time before making a final decision. (yan)