BUKIT JALIL: By adopting a new approach to setting targets, the Malaysian contingent are expecting their athletes to perform better at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
On Monday, the contingent, led by Chef de Mission Datuk Chong Kim Fatt, did not set a specific gold medal target for the Games on Sept 23-Oct 8.
Instead, an overall target of 27 medals of any colour was announced during the flag-handing ceremony here.
National Sports Council (NSC) athlete division director Jefri Ngadirin explained the contingent came to the conclusion that setting gold medal targets would only add more pressure on the athletes, preventing them from performing to their best ability.
Jefri noted the contingent had taken into consideration all the factors and views, including those from consultations with the Nippon Sports Science University (NSSU).
"This approach of not announcing a gold medal target is not something new.
"Top sporting nations like Australia and Japan have been practising it since after the 2016 Rio Olympics.
"Among Southeast Asian countries, only Vietnam has set a five gold medal target.
"Countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines don't have a gold medal target.
"We believe all our athletes who have qualified can deliver; they have worked really hard the past four years.
"We want to allow them to give their best," said Jefri.
Earlier, Kim Fatt, who is also the Wushu Federation of Malaysia president, said the contingent had already lost a total of 12 medals from the previous edition in Jakarta-Palembang, including two gold from bowling.
Bowling and silat have been dropped from the Hangzhou edition.
At the previous edition, Malaysia won 36 medals — seven gold, 13 silver and 16 bronze.
Following the medal target workshop on Aug 22, which was attended by the NSC, National Sports Institute (NSI), the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), and the national sports associations (NSAs), the contingent strongly believe that the 27-medal target is realistic and achievable.
This, however, does not mean that athletes should not aim for gold.
OCM secretary-general Datuk Nazifuddin Najib stressed that expectations remain the same; athletes must strive for the best.
"We still have a 27 medal target. There will be representation in gold and silver. If we win more than 27 medals, then our target will be justified.
"We believe this target is reasonable," added Nazifuddin.
Malaysia's contingent will comprise 289 athletes, competing in 22 sports out of 40, at this year's edition.
In Jakarta-Palembang, Malaysia sent 417 athletes to compete in 35 sports from 40.
Malaysia's best gold medal haul came at the 2010 edition in Guangzhou when the contingent won nine gold, 18 silver and 14 bronze.
The Prime Minister's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria also attended the ceremony on Monday.