Political instability contributed to poor SEA Games performance, says Yeoh

Political instability contributed to poor SEA Games performance, says Yeoh

The Malaysian contingent failed to achieve its 40-gold target and finished seventh out of 11 countries in Phnom Penh this week.

Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh said the multiple changes in government disrupted the athletes’ preparations. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh says the multiple changes in government in the past few years has contributed to Malaysia’s poor performance in the recently-concluded SEA Games in Cambodia.

At a press conference, Yeoh said the political instability disrupted long-term plans as a new minister would set a new direction.

The Malaysian contingent failed to achieve its 40-gold medal target at the May 5-17 SEA Games. It finished seventh in the 11-country tournament with 34 gold, 45 silver and 97 bronze medals.

Yeoh also defended the decision to send young athletes to the SEA Games, many of whom made their debut.

“It was the right decision for Malaysia,” she said.

She said although Malaysia missed its gold medal target, it exceeded its silver and bronze medal targets.

“Winning in 51% of the categories we competed in is much better than our performance in 2019 in Manila, where we won 48% of the categories we competed in.

“So it’s unfair to judge the (contingent’s) performance based on the gold medals we won,” she said.

Meanwhile, Olympic Council of Malaysia president Norza Zakaria said Malaysia’s performance could have been better if the country focused on developing its young athletes immediately after the 2019 SEA Games.

Yesterday, Malaysia’s chef de mission to the SEA Games, Nasir Ali, apologised for the country’s failure to achieve the 40-gold target.

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