KUANTAN, Pahang will be fielding a contingent of 603 athletes to achieve a 40-gold medal haul at the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA XXI 2024) in Sarawak in August.
State Communication and Multimedia, Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman Fadzli Mohamad Kamal said based on his survey, there are several aspects that can still be improved in the contingent comprising 327 male and 276 female athletes, with 50 per cent of them being new athletes.
He said the state government is focusing seriously to better their previous ninth position at the last SUKMA to finish in the top five.
‘I have met several times with sports managers and coaches and have expressed the state’s determination to improve the performance of the Pahang contingent.
‘I have set at least 40 gold medals for the Pahang contingent to bring home with various initiatives implemented such as training abroad and an increase in athletes’ allowances,’ he said.
Fadzli said this after inspecting the boxing camp’s preparations
today and said four medal prospects will be sent to undergo training in Thailand before leaving for Sarawak.
He said the target of 40 gold medals was not just an ordinary decision but a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for himself and the Pahang State Sports Council.
He said that he will continue to go down to the field to meet athletes and coaches of other events to see for himself their preparations to ensure that the set target can be achieved.
The 21st Sukma Sarawak 2024 will take place from Aug 17-24.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency