KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 — The Malaysian contingent has set a 200-medal target for the SEA Games in Thailand, scheduled from December 9 to 20.
Chef de mission (CDM) Nurul Huda Abdullah said the target was based on data derived from past and current performances of national athletes.
“This is a realistic number and one that we are accountable for. We hope that our athletes will stay focused and consistent during the Games and then bring as many medals back for Malaysia as they can.
“Across the board, all our teams have reported that they are very, very well prepared. They are all looking forward to the Games and are ready to take on this challenge and ready to perform to their best,” she told a press conference after the Jalur Gemilang presentation ceremony to the national contingent here today.
The 200-medal target is the highest ever set outside Kuala Lumpur in 18 years, with the previous best achieved in Korat (Thailand) in 2007 when Malaysia secured 216 medals.
Malaysia bagged 322 medals when they last hosted the Games in 2017.
Nurul Huda also announced that the flagbearers for the Malaysian team at the 33rd SEA Games opening ceremony at Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, would be Andre Anura Anuar from athletics, and waterski ace Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah.
“Both of them are highly experienced, proven performers, and have consistently represented Malaysia on the international stage with pride and with honour,” said the former swimming great.
Meanwhile, National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Jefri Ngadirin said a top five finish in the overall medal tally should be realistic for Malaysia.
He also believes Malaysia could achieve the 200-medal target and make amends for their worst performance in the last edition in Phnom Penh, when they returned home with 34 gold, 45 silver and 96 bronze.
“With the addition of sports we are strong in such as squash, tenpin bowling and track cycling, we should do better than Cambodia,” he said.
However, Jefri acknowledged that Thailand’s target of getting 254 gold medals is unprecedented in SEA Games history, and reflects a strong home-ground strategy, especially with 574 golds up for grabs.
He said such a massive haul would leave fewer opportunities for other nations, meaning countries like Malaysia would face an added challenge in meeting their own gold medal targets if the hosts sweep more than 200 events.
Malaysia will compete in all 50 sports and send 1,142 athletes and 515 officials to Thailand.
SEA Games 2025 will be held in Bangkok and Chonburi.
In another development, Malaysia are targeting 181 medals in the Asean Para Games (APG) in Korat, Thailand, from January 20 to 26, according to its CDM Mohd Zarrawi Ravi Abdullah.
Earlier, the NSC announced that two athletes, powerlifter Muhammad Akmal Danish Mohamad Supi and para shuttler Nurzammiezatul Syafiqqah Mohamad Zamberi, as flagbearers for Malaysia in the APG opening ceremony.
The country will send 236 athletes and 117 officials to the APG.
