KUALA LUMPUR: Karateka S. Prem Kumar expressed dismay at Thailand's decision to exclude karate from the 2025 Sea Games, a move that could impact preparations for the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games.
The 33rd edition of the biennial Games is scheduled to take place in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla from Dec 9-20 next year, with karate among several sports, including wushu, jiu-jitsu, lawn bowls and weightlifting, left out of the programme.
The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) plans to appeal to the Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) for the reinstatement of these sports.
"If the appeal fails, the exclusion of karate would be a blow for the national athletes' preparation for the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games," said Prem, 30, who won gold in the men's kumite below 55kg category at last year's Phnom Penh Sea Games.
"It's a shocker for me and the national karate team. We have won a lot of medals in the Sea Games. Besides that, it's actually an important platform for us to gauge our performance.
"We usually try out things in the Sea Games before the Asian Games. If karate is dropped, it will disrupt our plans for the 2026 Asian Games.
"There's no major assignment for karate next year, and we need quality competition to prepare for the Asian Games."
In Phnom Penh, Malaysia's team secured four gold medals through Prem, R. Sharmendran (kumite below 75kg), H. Sureeya Sankar (kumite below 60kg), and C. Shahmalarani (women's kumite below 50kg).
"Thailand have good karatekas. They are very competitive and have won medals before. I think it will be a blow for their athletes too if the sport is dropped," he added.