Minister of Youth and Sports Defends Decision to Set Medal Target for 2025 SEA Games
The decision to set the medal target for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) based on the total number of medals rather than medal colors was not made independently, but rather guided by recommendations from experts, said Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh.
Expert Recommendations
Experts from Nippon Sports Science University (NSSU) in Japan, which has produced more than 40 Olympic gold medallists, questioned why Malaysia continues to follow the traditional practice of setting medal targets based on color, a method that is no longer widely used by many countries.
"We also listen to the athletes, but I also want to hear from the experts. NSSU has produced more than 40 Olympic gold medallists, so they certainly know what they are talking about," she told reporters after attending the opening ceremony of the new Rhythmic Excellence Academy branch here today.
Local Expert Opinions
She emphasized that opinions of local experts were also taken into account.
"It’s not that we are not listening. We do listen, but it would be pointless for us to sign an MoU, invite experts, and then tell them, ‘Sorry, I don’t want to hear what you have to say because I think Malaysia knows better.’"
Previous Exception
Traditionally, Malaysia has always set specific gold medal targets. The only prior exception before Hangzhou was at the 2015 SEA Games under then-Minister of Youth and Sports Khairy Jamaluddin, who set medal targets based on a percentage of events contested (56 per cent).
Implementation of Colourless Medal Target System
On Wednesday, during the Dewan Rakyat question-and-answer session, Hannah announced the implementation of a colourless medal target system, which was first introduced at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the decision to set the medal target for the 2025 SEA Games based on the total number of medals rather than medal colors was made after careful consideration and consultation with experts. The minister is willing to give this approach a chance, as it has proven beneficial for other countries.
FAQs
Q: Why did Malaysia decide to set the medal target for the 2025 SEA Games based on the total number of medals rather than medal colors?
A: The decision was made after consultation with experts from Nippon Sports Science University (NSSU) in Japan, who recommended this approach.
Q: What is the benefit of setting a colourless medal target system?
A: This approach has proven beneficial for other countries, allowing them to focus on overall performance rather than just gold medal targets.
Q: Has Malaysia used this approach before?
A: No, this is the first time Malaysia will be using a colourless medal target system. The only prior exception was at the 2015 SEA Games, where medal targets were set based on a percentage of events contested.