Kuala lumpur: A new approach in setting the national contingent's medal target for the 2027 SEA Games in Malaysia is being studied, said Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari. He said the proposal to set a specific gold medal target as opposed to the total number of medals used previously is still under discussion.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the move needed to be thoroughly examined to ensure that any targets announced later did not put undue pressure on athletes, especially in terms of their morale and momentum ahead of the biennial sports games. Dr Mohammed Taufiq mentioned that this matter is still under discussion, and he is suggesting a new approach in announcing the gold medal target or the overall medal target. More research and scrutiny are needed so that it does not affect the athletes, either in terms of morale or their spirit.
Dr Mohammed Taufiq said the new approach also considers Malaysia as the host of the 34th edition of the Games, thus taking on a bigger challenge compared to previous editions. As the host, the target is no longer just to be in the top three but rather needs to be directed towards emerging as the overall champion. To become the champion, targeting the most gold medals is essential.
Therefore, Dr Mohammed Taufiq stated that the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) plans to hold engagement sessions involving various stakeholders, including national sports associations, athletes, and sports experts, to determine medal targets before making the relevant decisions. In recent years, the national contingent has taken a more cautious approach by only setting a target for the total number of medals rather than a specific gold medal target for the sports games it participates in.
Meanwhile, Dr Mohammed Taufiq sees sepak takraw as a sport with the potential to contribute to the country's success at the 2027 SEA Games if the current momentum of success can be maintained. He hopes that the excellent achievements of the national sepak takraw squad at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand will be translated into greater success when Malaysia becomes the host. The goal is for the success at the Thailand 2025 SEA Games to become a catalyst for the 2027 SEA Games, with the aim not to let the success stop there.
According to him, KBS is also in discussion with the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Federation (PSM) on efforts to expand athletes' exposure at the international level to gain experience and drive performance to the best level. At the same time, the development of new talent at the grassroots level also needs to be given attention to ensure the continued success of the traditional sport. He emphasized that apart from maintaining the excellence of existing athletes, it is important for the association to unearth new talent to avoid a period of vacancy for replacements.
At the 2025 SEA Games, the national men's sepak takraw squad ended a 34-year wait for a gold medal in the team regu event when it defeated traditional enemy and host, Thailand, in the final before adding another gold through the regu event by defeating Vietnam in the final.