Malaysians eye SEA Games overall supremacy

MANILA, Philippines -  Malaysian officials yesterday gave the assurance that things will fall into place in time for their hosting of the 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur in August.

Nik Abdul Kadir Mohammad, deputy secretary-general of the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sport, also said they’re on track toward reclaiming the overall title in the SEA Games.

“We are focusing on all sports because we want to be champion,” he said during a press conference that preceded the “Rising Together Baton Run” at the CCP Complex.

Mohammad said Malaysia is fielding close to 1,000 athletes for the SEA Games but added, “How strong our athletes are I cannot reveal.”

Malaysia is hosting the SEA Games for the fifth time. The last time they hosted the event in 2001, the Malaysians won the overall crown by bagging 111 gold medals. This year’s edition offers 405 gold medals in 38 sports.

The baton run that started at the Malacañang grounds is meant to drumbeat this year’s SEA Games. From Brunei last week to Manila, the SEA Games baton moves to Laos then Myanmar, Vietnam and the other member countries in the coming weeks.

Gracing the leisure run on the streets of Manila were Rio Olympians Hidilyn Diaz and Mary Joy Tabal, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez and his commissioners, Philippine SEA Games chef-de-mission Cynthia Carrion, Philippine Olympic Committee vice president Jose Romasanta and secretary-general Steve Hontiveros, Laos deputy chef-de-mission Souksanith Vong Phankhan and the Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dato Razslan Abdul Rashid.

“This is an overwhelming success,” said the Malaysian ambassador.

Mohammad said preparations are in full swing five months to the SEA Games, and assured everybody all the facilities will be completed in time.

“Some countries are worried. Don’t be worried. They will be ready by May or June. All venues will be completed,” he said.

Carrion said she was in Kuala Lumpur for a chefs-de-mission meeting recently, and was amazed at how “beautiful” the places are as far as SEA Games venues are concerned.