AUG: Malaysia now chasing new target of 45 golds

UBON RATCHATHANI (Thailand): The Malaysian contingent to the 2022 ASEAN University Games (AUG) are now chasing a new target of 45 gold medals, after the initial 35-gold target was achieved in taekwondo yesterday .

Chairman of the Contingent Management Committee of the Malaysian Institutes of Higher Education (IPT) Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli said the initial target had been achieved as a result of the encouraging performances of the athletes with three days left to go before the curtains come down on the Games.

"I am very happy that the Malaysian contingent have managed to reach the gold target. It was unexpected as previously the target was seen as a bit difficult to realise.

"However, looking at this achievement, we expect that there will be more medals produced involving several more sports after also winning the 36th gold yesterday," he told reporters.

He explained that the national contingent were now determined to hunt the new target before the Games end this Saturday.

Pekan at the same time hopes that in addition to 45 gold medals, the mother of all medals of the Games can be contributed through football in Thailand.

"Yes we have never won the football gold before and the last time we got that chance was when we hosted the 2008 AUG but we lost to Thailand (in the final).

"So I think this is the best opportunity for us to win the gold medal. I see that we have a chance based on our achievement of a draw against Thailand in our second group match," he said.

Malaysia play against hosts Thailand in the final this Friday.

As of today, the national contingent have won 37 gold, 58 silver 28 bronze.

-- BERNAMA