Malaysia aims to win more than 67 golds at SEA Games

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)