Modest Target Due To Fewer Athletes, Says Rosmanizam

KUALA LUMPUR: The Olympic Coun­cil of Malaysia (OCM) have set a modest target for the 2011 Com­monwealth Youth Games which will be held in the Isle of Man from to­­mor­row to Sept 13.

This is the fourth time that Malay­sia will be competing in the Games.

Malaysia returned home from the inaugural Games in Edinburgh, Scot­land, in 2000 with one gold, three silver and four bronze medals.

We can do it: Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi (third from right) handing over the Jalur Gemilang to chef de mission Rosmanizam Abdullah (centre) at the Wisma OCM Monday. — S.S.KANESAN / The Star

Four years later, Malaysia had a haul of 6-9-4 in Bendigo, Australia. In 2008, Malaysia finished seventh out of 71 nations with a haul of 3-4-6 in Pune, India.

Chef de mission Rosmanizam Ab­­dullah said “we have not specified the number of medals targeted this time due to the small contingent of 18 athletes competing in the Isle of Man”.

“We are looking at a lower medal tally,” he said at the flag-handing over ceremony at the Wisma OCM yesterday.

This year’s edition will feature seven sports, two fewer than in Pune, and will see the participation of 68 other Commonwealth nations.

The seven are athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, rug­by Sevens and swimming. Malaysia will only compete in athletics, badminton, cycling and swimming.