THE Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have set an early target of seven gold medals for the national contingent at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games on July 28-Aug 8.
Malaysia are aiming for gold medals in badminton (two gold), rhythmic gymnastics, lawn bowls, weightlifting, squash and powerlifting (para).
According to OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria, who chaired the selection committee meeting today, the medal target is similar to Malaysia's gold medal haul at the previous edition in Gold Coast, Australia, four years ago.
However, Norza noted that the number of athletes this year will be fewer than the previous number of 178 athletes (Gold Coast).
The contingent have lost out in terms of quantity as shooting is not part of the Games, while the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) have chosen to not send their men's and women's teams to Birmingham.
Malaysia will compete in 12 able-bodied sporting events and four para events. The contingent will not contest for medals in hockey, wrestling, basketball, beach volleyball, cricket and netball.
"This early target of seven gold medals will later be confirmed by the Sports Ministry and the National Sports Council (NSC)," said Norza, who was joined by three other members of the selection committee — NSC director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail, National Sports Institute CEO Ahmad Faedzal Ramli and independent member, Datuk Mazlan Ahmad.
To date, OCM have confirmed the participation of 58 athletes, who made the category A and B cuts (based on performances at international competitions from 2018), and 37 other athletes who qualified on merit through qualifying events.
OCM are still considering 11 more athletes, comprising up-and-coming stars and those who won medals at the recent Hanoi Sea Games.
Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist Bonnie Bunyau Gustin and national women's squash champion S. Sivasangari are the flag-bearers for the Malaysian contingent.
Norza stressed that all National Sports Associations (NSAs) will need to submit their entries by June 29.