Malaysia Eyes 40 Gold Medals At 10th Asean School Games

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) – Malaysia, as the hosts of the 10th ASEAN School Games (ASG) which begins this Thursday, are targeting to win at least 40 of the 123 gold medals up for grabs to emerge overall champions. Zainal Abas, the country's chef-de-mission to the ASG said, however, the main purpose of the annual competition was to foster a spirit of solidarity and forge closer ties among ASEAN athletes. "If we look at the strength in terms of athletes, I think Malaysia has a chance to emerge as overall champions of the ASG this year, but we have to get at least 40 gold medals," he said after the handing over of the Jalur Gemilang to the country's contingent for the Games at the Bukit Jalil Sports School here. Zainal said the participation in the ASG this time was encouraging, as it involved a great number of junior national athletes as well as several national athletes. Malaysia, which has the largest contingent comprising 192 athletes, will compete in all 11 sporting events, namely badminton, basketball, volleyball, netball, ping pong, sepak takraw, swimming, athletics, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and squash. -- BERNAMA