KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 — The national contingent can achieve more than the target of 27 medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games, according to Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria.
This is based on the current momentum and performance of the national contingent, which had bagged 20 medals comprising three gold, four silver, and 13 bronze at the quadrennial sporting event.
“I hope the athletes will keep fighting to bring honours to the country.
“We are on the right track to reach the target (27 medals). I am sure it is more than 27,” he said after launching the Netball Super League (NSL) 2023 at Pavilion KL today.
Mohamad Norza hopes Malaysians will continue praying for the success of the national contingent, especially to win more gold medals for the country at the games, which closes on October 8.
In the meantime, he also expressed the wish for more national athletes to be based abroad in the future to ensure they are at par with world-class athletes.
This is based on the success of two US-based athletes, Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi and Shereen Samson Vallabouy, who won medals in their debut at the Asian Games.
“To further improve, it is necessary for athletes to go out of the country. The government needs to find appropriate funds from the government itself or the private sector to achieve their dream of becoming world-class athletes,” Mohamad Norza said.
Shereen and Muhammad Azeem contributed bronze medals in the women’s 400 meters (m) and men’s 100m events, respectively, during the Asian Games at the Hangzhou Olympic Stadium on Saturday (September 30).
Meanwhile, regarding NSL 2023, he said the league is very important in encouraging women’s involvement in the sport.
“The collaboration between the Malaysian Netball Association (MNA) and Astro should be commended not only for driving women’s involvement in high-performance sports but also to ensure gender equality is empowered in upholding netball as a high-profile sport,” Mohamad Norza said.
NSL 2023, which is scheduled from October 13 to November 5, at Juara Stadium, Bukit Kiara, will witness Johor Jewels, KL Wildcats, Selangor Angels, Perak Phoenix, Negeri Sembilan Venom, Pahang Tulips, as well as two new teams, Terengganu Marvel and Putrajaya Dynamites battling for glory.
This season’s competition is enhanced by 11 imported players from seven countries, namely Uganda, South Africa, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Brunei, and Sri Lanka.
— Bernama
