Kuala lumpur: Malaysian netball star Nur Syafazliyana Mohd Ali is determined to help the national squad complete a hat-trick of gold medals at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand this December. Set to make her fourth appearance since the 2015 edition, Nur Syafazliyana said that in addition to traditional rivals Singapore, this time the challenge is expected to be tougher with the presence of the host nation, which could threaten Malaysia’s gold defense.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nur Syafazliyana expressed a strong desire to secure a third consecutive gold medal, acknowledging the formidable competition posed by Thailand. She highlighted that there have been slight changes in the host’s style of play, particularly in the goal shooter position, which could add to the challenge. She mentioned this during a meeting with the 2025 SEA Games Chef de Mission, Nurul Huda Abdullah, at the national netball team’s training venue.

The 32-year-old athlete also noted the improvement in team chemistry with the inclusion of seven junior players, especially after a recent training camp in Australia. National head coach Choo Kon Lee expressed satisfaction with the camp, where the team achieved three wins out of four matches against Sydney-based netball clubs.

The upcoming 2025 Nations Cup in Singapore from November 2-8 will serve as the final test for the Malaysian squad. The competition will feature teams from Kenya, the Isle of Man, and Papua New Guinea, providing a crucial opportunity to assess the team’s readiness for the SEA Games.

Malaysia has previously won back-to-back SEA Games gold medals in the 2017 edition at home and the 2019 edition in the Philippines. Netball was not contested in the 2021 edition in Vietnam and the 2023 edition in Cambodia. The 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, scheduled from December 9 to 20, will be held across Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla.