KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Paralympic Council (MPC) president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin is in favour of specifying gold medal target when establishing goals for multi-sport games.
During the recent Hangzhou Asian Para Games, the national contingent were given a target of 35 medals without specifying the number of gold medals aimed for, marking the second time this approach has been used.
The able-bodied national athletes were given a 27-medal target for the Hangzhou Asian Games earlier in the month, and both contingents comfortably surpassed their targets.
Shahriman said specifying the number of gold medals targeted, as was done previously, offers a more accurate means of measuring progress.
"Ultimately it is up to the Youth and Sports Ministry to decide but personally I definitely prefer the old method of specifying gold medals aimed for," said Shahriman.
"To me, not specifying the number of gold medals aimed for is akin to finding a way not to admit failure.
"I do not see the need to discuss the ratio of athletes sent to medals won either; we're talking about sports, not an insurance company.
"How can you measure progress without specifying the number of gold medals?
"When talking to (officials from) other nations, they will not ask how many medals your country won; they will ask how many gold medals you won.
"Public funds have been invested in sports, so why can't we be more accountable?
"I would rather set a clear target and strive to achieve it. If we fail, then we must accept it and look at ways to improve ourselves."
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has earlier explained that the decision not to specify the number of gold aimed for was to reduce pressure on athletes; emphasising that athlete well-being is a top priority.