PUTRAJAYA: Youth And Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has set a 111-gold medal target for the Malaysian contingent at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games, which will take place between 19 Aug and 30.
The target if achieved, would match Malaysia's previous best-ever haul of medals at the biennial games.
Without going into a detailed breakdown of the medal figures, Khairy said the target should be enough to see Malaysia emerge overall champions at the Sea Games for only the second time.
Malaysia also secured 111 gold medals in 2001, the last time it hosted the biennial sporting event, to finish top of the medal tally.
"The 111-gold medal target was arrived at after taking into account all factors and analysis which will enable us to become overall champions at the Sea Games, while for the Asean Para Games it is 103 gold medals," said Khairy in Putrajaya on Thursday.
"I don't want to go into the details because it is our strategy not to. I know some associations have announced their targets but once I start breaking it down, then with the official target, people will start analysing and put pressure on the athletes."
Khairy made the announcement after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak presented the Jalur Gemilang to Sea Games chef-de-mission Datuk Marina Chin.
It was witnessed by around 700 athletes and officials at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
"I thank the prime minister for his motivating speech which is to remind the athletes that they are not only competing for themselves, but also for the country," said Khairy.