“The events that our athletes usually focus on will not be contested (in Hanoi) this time, resulting in us not setting a high target for our athletes.

“This is because of the absence of international sports events for two years (due to the Covid-19 pandemic), (so) we can’t evaluate the performance of our athletes (to set a high target),” he told reporters at the Aidilfitri open house at his residence today.

Malaysia’s target for the biennial Games, to be held from May 12-23, is 36 gold, 35 silver and 75 bronze medals, for a total haul of 146 medals.

Faizal was also impressed with the sacrifice and dedication shown by the 584 national athletes who continued their night training sessions during Ramadan.

“They still stayed focused so that they will be able to give their best at the SEA Games despite sacrificing the Aidilfitri celebrations with their family members,” he said.

Based on current performance, 15 events are being targeted to contribute the 36 gold medals, with diving and athletics expected to be a gold mine for the national contingent in Hanoi, with each sport being entrusted with contributing more than five gold medals.

Malaysia’s best-ever achievement in the SEA Games since its inaugural edition in 1959 in Bangkok was 145 gold, 92 silver and 86 bronze medals to emerge as the overall champion of the 2017 edition in Kuala Lumpur.

At the 2019 edition in the Philippines, the national contingent failed to meet the target of 70 gold medal haul when they returned home with a 55-58-71 medals haul.