KUALA LUMPUR: The budget issue faced by the National Sports Council (NSC) is not the only reason behind the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s decision to tighten the Indonesia Asian Games qualification criterion.
The qualification mark has been changed from top six to the top four mark of the 2014 Incheon edition.
NSC director general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said a new criterion was introduced after taking consideration of the results at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.
"This is one way to get the national sports associations (NSA) to double up their efforts in ensuring their athletes win more medals in Indonesia,” said Shapawi.
“We used the top six qualification criterion for the Commonwealth Games and the results were not so good by some athletes.
Malaysia sent 177 athletes to Gold Coast in April where they won seven gold, five silver and 12 bronze.
Shapawi hopes this new criterion will also be used for future games.
“The Commonwealth Games along with the Asian Games and the Olympics are not platforms for exposure.
“We have other platforms (for exposure) such as the Sea Games and also those organised by NSAs,” said Shapawi.