MPC eye 51 gold medals

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) have set a target of 51 gold medals for the Second Asean Paralympic Games, which begins on Sunday in Hanoi. 

The MPC deputy president, Zainal Abu Zarin said after Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Tun Hussein handed the Malaysian flag to the contingent at the ministry here yesterday their main focus would be on athletics and they hoped to win 30 gold medals. 

The contingent, led by the ministry's director-general, Datuk Raja Ruslan Raja Samah, as the chef-de-mission, comprised 135 athletes and 23 officials. 

Zainal said that the athletes had undergone central training at the National Sports Council since Dec 8 and they would be involved in the athletics, swimming, powerlifting, badminton and table tennis competitions. 

At the inaugural Games in Kuala Lumpur two years ago, Malaysia won 145 gold, 135 silver and 97 bronze medals. 

At the same ceremony, Hishammuddin also handed the Malaysian flag to the national contingent headed for the Fespic Youth Championships in Hong Kong, which begins on Dec 23. 

Zainal said that the council had not set a target for the inaugural championships. 

The Malaysian contingent comprised 48 athletes and 35 officials. Malaysia will competing in three of the five events – athletics, swimming and boccia. – Bernama