Malaysia to lose 14 gold medals in Vietnam

MALAYSIA faces the risk of losing 14 gold medals in the Vietnam SEA Games next year when only one of the 11 appeals of the Malaysian Olympic Council (OCM) has been accepted.

The SEA Sports Federation (SEAGF) Council approved the jujitsu, triathlon, e-sports and tenpin bowling appeals to make it a total of 40 sports.

The SEAGF decision disappoint Malaysia.

The loss of potential gold medals in events such as squash, bowling, indoor hockey and netball was a huge blow after the combination of the four sports contributed eight golds in the Philippines last year.

It certainly raises the challenge for Malaysia to improve its overall fifth position in the Philippines, among the worst in history.

"During the meeting, a large number of countries were not satisfied with the decision of the host. In my opinion, Vietnam took conservative steps in organising this competition," said OCM president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria.

Vietnam faces the problem of funds, venues, facilities and no national sports association to organise more sports.

However, the majority of Southeast Asian countries are asking Vietnam to consider indoor hockey and water polo to be included.