KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Karate Federation (MAKAF) will be banking on a new generation of stars to shine at the Philippines Sea Games in November.
MAKAF secretary general Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad disclosed that the national body have set a modest four-gold target for the biennial games.
“We have not set a high target for the games, our goal is to win four gold, two via the kumite events and two from the kata discipline,” said Nur Azmi, when met after MAKAF's working committee meeting with the National Sports Council in Kuala Lumpur today.
“But having said that we have seen some positive improvements among our exponents recently, so we might be able to win more.
“Our youngsters such as P. Madhuri (under-50kg), A. Somanroy (+75kg) and Arif Afifuddian Malik (under-67kg) have shown great potential while we also have other (more experienced) exponents such as S. Prem Kumar (under-55kg), R. Sharmendran (under-75kg) and others.”
Somanroy, 21, did well to win gold at the Southeast Asian Championships in Bangkok last month.
Madhuri, 20, won silver at the Asian Junior Championships in Sabah last month which has helped her rise to the top of the World Under-21 rankings.
Boosted by home ground advantage, Malaysia won seven gold at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games.
Meanwhile, former Asian Games gold medallist Syakilla Salni Jeffri Krishnan's weight issues continue to weight her down. Makaf, however, have not given up hope on her.
“Syakilla's weight has gone up this month, she is now 67.9 kilogrammes,” added Azmi.
“We, however, still value her services and have put her on the (Sea Games) long list in three categories: under-55kg, under-61kg and + 61kg.
“We do not want to pressure her which category to compete in, it is up to her to decide.”
Syakilla previously competed in the Under-55 and Under-61kg classes.
Somanroy, Madhuri and Syakilla are also on the long list for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Paris in April next year.
Azmi, however, declined to delve into the details regarding the internal issues Makaf are facing.
“We have discussed this issue with the Sports Commissioners’ Office (Monday) and have also appointed a lawyer,” said Azmi.
“We will be bringing this issue to be discussed at our exco meeting which on May 24 in Malacca, so it is not right for me to talk about it in the media until it is discussed.
“We will then take further action, this includes filing a police report.
“We will hold a press conference on the issue on May 25."
On May 4, 12 breakaway affiliates from the 22 under Makaf held their own supreme council meeting and called for an Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on June 9.
The group, among other issues, are unhappy that no meeting has been held since the elections in October and that no supreme council had been set up.