KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia may be represented by second-liners at the Vientiane SEA Games in December as there will not be many Olympic events being contested.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said it was not worth it for senior athletes to take part in diving, hockey and cycling as the allocation could be spent to send them to more prestigious championships.
"On paper, Malaysia tend to lose 32 gold medals at the Games. Why not let the second-liners the exposure," he told reporters after opening the Youth Square at Bukit Jalil here Saturday.
He said, however, the ministry would discuss the matter with the National Sports Council and the Olympic Council of Malaysia before making the decision.
Ismail Sabri's stand, however, ran contrary to OCM secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi's remarks that senior athletes ought to vie for honours at the Games because they lacked international exposure as most of them had failed to qualify for the Asian and world tournaments.
Laos had dropped events like tenpin bowling, cycling (track) and squash which Malaysia were good at but instead introduced several events which would give them the advantage.
The Youth Square, which opens from 8am to 7pm on weekends, is equipped with an X-treme sports centre, futsal pitches and basketball courts.
It also provides stalls and a space for youths to give musical performance free of charge.
-- BERNAMA
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