KUALA LUMPUR: Despite losing some experienced players, national table tennis coach Beh Lee Wei remains confident her charges will achieve the two bronze medal target in next month's Hanoi Sea Games.
Lee Wei believes the medals will come from the men's and women's team events.
Malaysia won two bronze at the 2019 Philippines edition through Choong Javen-Amos Ling and Ashraf Haiqal-Wong Qi Shen (men's doubles).
"We will be without some of our senior players this time. Ashraf has become a coach in Saudi Arabia, while Amos has gone to further his studies," said Lee Wei in Bukit Jalil today.
"This time, however, the team events have been included, and I believe we will have a chance of finishing on the podium.
"Preparation-wise, we have been training at the National Sports Complex due to the pandemic.
"Normally, we would go for training camps abroad, but I guess the situation is the same for most countries.
"Our players are really looking forward to competing abroad, and I hope that we will be able to spring a surprise at the Sea Games."
Lee Wei expects regional heavyweights Singapore and Thailand to be the teams to beat in the women's event but anticipates an open competition on the men's side.
The men's team comprise Choong Javen, Leong Chee Feng, Wong Qi Shen, Danny Ng and Lee Yong Yi while Ho Ying, Karen Lyne Dick, Tee Ai Xin, Alice Chang and Im Li Ying make up the women's team.