KUALA LUMPUR – Competing in the upcoming Hanoi SEA Games will be like a battle in uncharted waters for the national wushu exponents, as the current performance level of the athletes around the region still remains a mystery.
It is because the biennial Games to be held from May 12 to 23, will be the first international competition for Southeast Asian exponents since the Covid-19 pandemic halted the international sporting calendar.
To make matters worse, half of the Malaysian squad contracted Covid-19 at the National Sports Council (NSC) training camp recently.
As such, Wushu Federation of Malaysia (WFM) president Datuk Chong Kim Fatt said the federation will be organising an internal competition for the 11 athletes selected for the SEA Games, as well as for other senior, back up and junior exponents placed in NSC next month.
“In my 20 years of involvement with the SEA Games and Asian Games, this is the first time we are heading to a Games without proper information on the competitors and not knowing where our athletes stand to decide the medal target. Our athletes have participated in only a few online and internal competitions in the past two years.
“So the internal technical test (next month) will help us to measure our exponents’ performances. This is important because this year will be a busy year with a lot of competitions starting from the SEA Games,” he told Bernama.
Apart from the SEA Games, the national exponents are also set to compete at the Hangzhou Asian Games in September; World University Games in Chengdu, China (June); Islamic Solidarity Games in Turkey (August); World Junior Championships in Tangerang, Indonesia and Asian Youth Games in Shantou, China (both in December).
Chong said, based on past performances, he hopes several medals will be won by the national athletes, although he could not predict their actual number and colours.
He said the former world champion Wong Weng Son (men’s jianshu) and reigning world champion Tan Cheong Min (women’s nandao), who was crowned as the National Sportswoman at the 2019/2020 National Sports Awards last Tuesday, will miss the SEA Games as their events are not contested.
Meanwhile, Chong said the federation will have to enhance its fundraising efforts, as they are not only having to bear the costs for six exponents and a taolu coach in Category B, but also need to bear the costs for the Malaysian judges.
WFM will be sending five exponents in Category A (cost fully covered) and five in Category B (costs refunded if they win medals).
“As of now, we still haven’t secured the funds, because our well-wishers and sponsors, who usually help us, are affected by the pandemic. The participation fee including food, accommodation and flight can cost around RM4,000 to RM5,000 per athlete,” he added.
List of SEA Games athletes:
Category A: Clement Ting Su Wei; Yeap Wai Kin (both Men’s Changquan & Daoshu + Gunshu); Tan Zhi Yan (Men’s Taijiaquan & Taijijian); Sydney Chin Sy Xuan (Women’s Taijiquan & Taijijian); and Kelvin Teng Kai Wen (Men’s Sanda 56kg).
Category B: Calvin Lee Wai Leong (Men’s Nanquan, Nandao & Nangun); Mandy Cebelle Chen (Women’s Taijiquan & Taijijian); Pang Pui Yee (Women’s Changquan; Jianshu & Qiangshu); Lee Jia Rong (Women’s Changquan & Daoshu + Gunshu); Chong Jian Hwa (Men’s Sanda 65kg); and Vicky Hwa Chang (Men’s Sanda 70kg). – Bernama, March 28, 2022
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