KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — Malaysia will send a 1,688-member contingent, including 1,166 athletes, to the SEA Games in Thailand, making it the country’s biggest-ever representation at the biennial event, said Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim.
He added that 50 sports, involving 573 events, will be contested at the 33rd edition of the Games, to be held in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla from December 9 to 20, with Malaysia competing in 458 events.
“The national contingent to the 2025 Thailand SEA Games will be bigger than the 641-strong contingent sent to the 2015 Singapore SEA Games,” he said in reply to a question from Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli (BN-Jempol) about Malaysia’s preparations, including the total number of athletes and coaches, as well as the medal target and success indicators, during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Adam Adli said the selection of athletes was conducted by a committee chaired by Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, based on the top three rankings in Southeast Asia (Category A) and top six rankings in Southeast Asia (Category B).
He added that the national contingent began preparations early this year, while the overall medal target will be decided on November 29.
For the 2025 Asean Para Games from January 20 to 26, 2026, Malaysia will send 238 athletes and 120 officials, also making it the country’s biggest-ever contingent to the Para Games.
Replying to a supplementary question from Shamshulkahar on the involvement of Road to Gold (RTG) Programme athletes in the SEA Games, Adam Adli said 12 RTG athletes will compete in Thailand in badminton, weightlifting and archery as part of their preparation and exposure to international competitions.
Meanwhile, in reply to a supplementary question from Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) about allegations that national sport climbing ace Mohd Izzat Mohd Shokor had to fund his own training and participation costs for the SEA Games, Adam Adli said the athlete is under Category C (athletes who do not receive initial government allocations).
He added that only athletes under Categories A and B are funded by the National Sports Council (NSC), while those in Category C are allowed to compete but must bear the costs themselves.
