KEPALA BATAS: The Youth and Sports Ministry has yet to set a national medal target for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games after the preparation of athletes was postponed following the Covid-19 outbreak.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said 36 Malaysian athletes have been identified to participate in the Olympic Games, but the qualification process has been impacted due to the cancellation of the international sporting events.
He added, so far 12 athletes have qualified while the remaining are still attempting to qualify for the Olympic Games
“We will see the athletes’ development after the Road to Tokyo programme, which begins with the badminton training session. For now, it is too early for me to announce any medal targets.
“Cycling event through Azizulhasni Awang or badminton via Lee Zii Jia and the doubles are potential athletes to not only contribute a medal but could also win (Malaysia’s first) Olympic gold medal,” he told reporters after visiting the Pasar Bisik Kuala Muda here Wednesday.
In addition, Reezal Merican, who is also the Kepala Batas MP said the training permits for other sports events to be scrutinised by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the National Sports Council (MSN).
He said OCM and MSN will compile all standard operating procedures (SOPs) submitted by other national sport bodies before holding talks with the Ministry of Health (MOH).
“We will submit our official application if we need to do so to obtain relaxation for the specific sport,” he said. – Bernama
