Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian contingent has set a 200-medal target for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, scheduled from December 9 to 20. Chef de mission Nurul Huda Abdullah stated that this target is based on data derived from past and current performances of national athletes. She emphasized that the number is realistic and the team is accountable for it, hoping that athletes will remain focused and consistent during the Games to bring back as many medals as possible.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this target is the highest ever set outside Kuala Lumpur in 18 years, with the previous best achieved in Korat, Thailand, in 2007 when Malaysia secured a total of 216 medals. Malaysia last hosted the Games in 2017, bagging a total of 322 medals. Nurul Huda also announced that Andre Anura Anuar from athletics and waterski ace Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah would be the flag bearers for the Malaysian team at the 33rd SEA Games opening ceremony in Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok.
Meanwhile, National Sports Council (NSC) director general Jefri Ngadirin expressed confidence in achieving a top-five finish in the overall medal tally for the Malaysian team in Thailand. He believed that Malaysia could meet the 200-medal target and improve upon their performance from the last edition in Phnom Penh, where they returned with 34 golds, 45 silvers, and 96 bronzes. Jefri highlighted the addition of sports like squash, tenpin bowling, and track cycling as potential areas of strength.
However, Jefri acknowledged Thailand's unprecedented target of more than 254 gold medals, which reflects a strong home-ground strategy, especially with 574 golds available. He noted that such a massive haul would reduce opportunities for other nations, adding pressure on countries like Malaysia to meet their gold medal targets if the hosts dominate more than 200 events.
Malaysia is set to compete in all 50 sports and will send a total of 1,142 athletes and 515 officials. The 2025 SEA Games will be held across two provinces: Bangkok and Chonburi.
In another development, Malaysia has set a target of securing 181 medals for the 2025 ASEAN Para Games, to be held in Korat, Thailand, from January 20-26, according to CDM Mohd Zarrawi Ravi Abdullah. The NSC announced that Muhammad Akmal Danish Mohamad Supi of powerlifting and para shuttler Nurzammiezatul Syafiqqah Mohamad Zamberi will be the flag bearers for Malaysia at the opening ceremony of the 2025 APG. The country will send 236 athletes and 117 officials to the event.