HOW the national athletes perform at the Incheon Asian Games, less than two months after the Commonwealth Games debacle, could have major repercussions for the future of sport in the country.
A conservative target of eight gold medals was jointly set by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), National Sports Council, National Sports Institute and national sport associations for the 280 national athletes gathered in Incheon.
Malaysia won nine gold medals in Guangzhou four years ago but officials fear a repeat of what happened in Glasgow, when the national contingent fell one short of seven gold medals targeted and only half of the 12 gold won in 2010.
As the accompanying graphics show, Malaysian athletes are well within their capability to win at least 10 gold medals and make a mockery of the official forecast.
OCM secretary-general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said eight gold medals should easily be reached over the next fortnight after the Games begin in earnest tomorrow.
“The target is not that high and is well within our ability. There should not be a problem in achieving it,” said Kok Chi after arriving in Incheon yesterday.
“The athletes must set themselves their own targets, whether it is to win medals or achieve personal bests.
“If they can do that then it should also be considered a success.”
While it is fine to achieve personal goals, success at the Asian Games should be considered the pinnacle in a Malaysian athlete’s career.
All aspire to compete at the Olympics but only a fraction get to realise that dream so, when everything is considered, there is no better avenue to measure the country’s success in sport than at the Asian Games.
Competing against fellow Asian countries, even when considering the strength of China, South Korea and Japan, should be the benchmark.
It’s no point saying athletes should only focus on doing their best when this is the stage where you want to see results after all the years spent preparing.
Why train full-time and become professionals, which the majority of our athletes are, if medals do not matter?
In Australia, taxpayers’ funding for individual sport is measured by the sport’s performance in competition, though other factors such a sport’s future promise is also taken into account.
Any measure of performance is sure to be criticised but this is one in which NSC could co-opt when deciding where government funding should go in the next four-year cycle.
Turning to matters on the ground, following today’s opening ceremony, Malaysia’s first medal could come from wushu tomorrow through Diana Bong or Tai Cheau Xuen in the women’s nanquan-nandao combined.
Azizulhasni Awang, Josiah Ng and Edrus Yunos will also be aiming for a podium finish in men’s cycling team sprint.
Malaysia are also scheduled to begin competition in team events in women’s badminton and women’s cricket while the men’s hockey team begin the road to the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics when they face Singapore.
Weightlifter Zulhelmi Pilus will make his Asian Games debut in the men’s 56kg category while the men’s 50m pistol and women’s 10m air pistol shooters will be hoping to spring surprises.
Malaysia will also have representation in synchronised swimming duet and women’s doubles in sepak takraw on the first official day of competition.