Tunku Imran confident Malaysia can emerge overall champion in Sea Games

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian contingent is in a strong position to emerge as the overall champion in the upcoming 29th SEA Games from Aug 19 to 30, said Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar.
Tunku Imran said based on the 558 selected athletes from 30 individual sports associations, the contingent should be able to emerge as the top medal contender in the biennial Games.
"I think we have a very good contingent, most of the best athletes are there plus very few injuries. But we have cautioned them to be careful of injuries and illness because they are running out time of the for Games. They have to peak at the games, not before," he told reporters after chairing the SEA Games final selection committee meeting attended by 30 National Sports Associations at Wisma OCM here today.
The meeting had started yesterday.
The 558 athletes comprise 319 men and 239 women while 200 officials are also involved in the list.
Tunku Imran said a number of sport associations, including the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF), Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) and Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) were given an additional week to confirm the names of their athletes.
"They've asked for more time before finalising their list, so we have given them until next week. Although the final date to submit the names is June 30, we've asked them to submit earlier because there are a few things to settle like accreditation as well as the Hari Raya break," he said.
For the team sports, the responsible sports associations are given until July 8 to submit their final list of names, especially football, hockey, futsal, ice hockey, rugby, netball and polo. — Bernama