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Heartbreaking games for Malaysia

What is wrong with Malaysian sports? What is happening? Why have we declined so badly?

The Phnom Penh debacle will go down in the history books as Malaysia's worst-ever showing in Sea Games history.

This is hard to swallow considering that the veritable number of Malaysian athletes sent to Cambodia is not reflected by the meagre gold medals won, and the poor overall seventh placing.

Consider this. Malaysia paraded the fifth biggest contingent of 677 athletes, with less than 300 newcomers. But yet they could not meet the 40-gold target.

To add salt to injury, hosts Cambodia and Singapore finished ahead of Malaysia in the medal standings.

It is embarrassing for Malaysia considering the supposedly advancement in our sports science and the millions invested.

The target would have been achievable if Malaysia were stronger in swimming and athletics. Malaysia won only six, or 6.89 per cent of the 87 gold medals offered in both sports.

Singapore finished above Malaysia with 48 gold because of their prowess in swimming, bagging 22 of the 39 gold on offer, and in fencing, in which they won six titles.

However, Malaysia also unexpectedly lost some gold medals in cricket, indoor hockey and sepak takraw — a total of six gold.

In total, Malaysia won 34 gold medals — 17 from Olympic sports such as diving, swimming, field hockey and athletics.

For many, the outing is a massive failure, and one which may not augur well for the future of Malaysian sports.

But fans must understand the Sea Games have become a "circus" with the host nation often offering more gold medals — in events, including traditional sports they are good at.

This year, unusual sports such as Kun Bokator (a Cambodian martial art), Teqball, Arnis (a stick-wielding martial art of the Philippines) and Chinlone were organised to benefit some countries.

Cambodia, with 896 athletes, became a "United Nations team" with many foreign-born individuals competing in various sports. However, Cambodia were not the only one, as the Philippines, Thailand, Laos and Indonesia also had naturalised players, especially in basketball.

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