Vijesh Rai in Glasgow
WHEN the target of seven gold medals was set for the Commonwealth Games, there was quiet optimism that not only would it be met but the national athletes would comfortably exceed it.
That, however, has now been replaced by worry as the end of the Games looms on Sunday.
As of yesterday, Malaysia had only won three gold medals through weightlifter Mohd Hafifi Baharom, the ever reliable Nicol David and the mixed team badminton gold.
Nicol is playing the women's doubles with Low Wee Wern but a gold will be a huge surprise and National Sports Council director general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong is now hoping that the national shuttlers and divers can take Malaysia to the target.
“It is a little worrying as several of those we thought could win gold didn’t. I am now counting on badminton and diving to help us meet the target,” said Zolkples.
The target of seven gold medals was set by the Olympic Council of Malaysia but chef-de-mission Datuk Ong Poh Eng had declined to name the events targeted.
However, it is obvious cycling was expected to deliver one but Azizulhasni Awang had to settle for the bronze in a tough keirin event.
The shooters, too, were expected to contribute at least one but ended their campaign with only a bronze from Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi.
“We have good chances in badminton and diving and hopefully, we make good use of them,” said Zolkples.
The mixed team gold means the shuttlers have already met half their target as only two gold was expected from them but hopes are high in the men’s singles and doubles with the women’s doubles a possibility too.
Malaysia were hoping for a gold from the women’s 10m platform synchro yesterday but Pandelela Rinong-Nur Dhabitah Sabri could only get bronze while Leong Mun Yee-Cheong Jun Hoong, silver medallists in the recent World Cup in Shanghai, finished fourth.
That now leaves Pandelela in the 10m platform individual today to defend the gold won in 2010 and the shuttlers to deliver.