“You have prepared your best and when you toe the starting line or enter the courts, make sure that you give your best and compete to honour the flag of the country,” he said at the flag handing over ceremony at the National Sports Council (NSC) on Thursday.
Also present at the ceremony were Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Jaafar, NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong and Myanmar SEA Games chef-de-mission Datuk Wira Amiruddin Embi.
Khairy handed over the flag to the contingent flag-bearer Sazali Samad, who will be competing in bodybuilding.
The Malaysian contingent is expected to bring back 40 gold medals from the 27th edition of the biennial event. The target is slightly lower than the 45 set at the last SEA Games in Indonesia. Malaysia eventually surpassed the 45-gold target with a total haul of 59.
This year, things will be different as several ‘gold mines’ for Malaysia – including track cycling (seven gold medals in Indonesia), bowling, synchronised swimming and water-ski (five gold medals each) – are not being contested.
“As for now, nothing more can be done as we are on the verge of competing. Just remember that you will be there not just to participate, but to strive for excellence,” said Khairy.
“Bear in mind that striving in the SEA Games is not the pinnacle of success as we have to look beyond to the Asian and Olympic level.”
thestar.com.my
