PUTRAJAYA, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's quest for a first ever gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics is on the right track says Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Ahmad Shabery said though not many athletes have qualified for the London Olympics, the search for tickets to the Olympics continues to take priority among athletes.
"Currently not many have qualified for the London Olympics because the qualifying mark or standard is high. To those who have qualified, I wish them 'syabas' but they must continue to improve their performance to have any chance of winning.
"Many are still in the process of earning ranking points to earn qualification to London," he told reporters here.
He also urged those under the 'Road To London 2012' programme to work extra hard to earn their slot to London.
Ahmad Shabery wanted those who had already qualified, to focus, train with commitment and determination because the prospect of winning the country's first Olympic gold medal would rest on their shoulders.
Seven athletes, four from archery, (Cheng Chu Sian, Khairul Anuwar Mohamad, Haziq Kamaruddin, Nurul Syafiqah Hashim) and three from diving (Bryan Nickson Lomas, Pandelela Rinong, Yeoh Ken Nee) have qualified for the London Olympics on merit.
However, the main hopes of winning a gold medal would rest on badminton and cycling although the National Sports Council (NSC) has placed six sports under the 'Road to London Programme' namely badminton, cycling, diving, shooting, archery and hockey.
As for the two-year suspension for karate coach P. Arivalagan meted out by the Asian Karate Federation for his alleged outburst over the decision of referees during the SEA Games in Indonesia, Ahmad Shabery said he would discuss the matter with the responsible federation.
Ahmad Shabery said though not many athletes have qualified for the London Olympics, the search for tickets to the Olympics continues to take priority among athletes.
"Currently not many have qualified for the London Olympics because the qualifying mark or standard is high. To those who have qualified, I wish them 'syabas' but they must continue to improve their performance to have any chance of winning.
"Many are still in the process of earning ranking points to earn qualification to London," he told reporters here.
He also urged those under the 'Road To London 2012' programme to work extra hard to earn their slot to London.
Ahmad Shabery wanted those who had already qualified, to focus, train with commitment and determination because the prospect of winning the country's first Olympic gold medal would rest on their shoulders.
Seven athletes, four from archery, (Cheng Chu Sian, Khairul Anuwar Mohamad, Haziq Kamaruddin, Nurul Syafiqah Hashim) and three from diving (Bryan Nickson Lomas, Pandelela Rinong, Yeoh Ken Nee) have qualified for the London Olympics on merit.
However, the main hopes of winning a gold medal would rest on badminton and cycling although the National Sports Council (NSC) has placed six sports under the 'Road to London Programme' namely badminton, cycling, diving, shooting, archery and hockey.
As for the two-year suspension for karate coach P. Arivalagan meted out by the Asian Karate Federation for his alleged outburst over the decision of referees during the SEA Games in Indonesia, Ahmad Shabery said he would discuss the matter with the responsible federation.
-- BERNAMA
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