KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 — The criteria for selection to the national contingent to major sport festivals must be tightened to protect the quality and performance of national athletes, said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said based on experience at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the rather loose selection process resulted in athletes who were not qualified being sent to the championship.

“New and tighter criteria will be used for selection to the contingent to the Asian Games in Incheon which will be discussed at the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) executive council meeting, tomorrow.

“I suggest OCM tighten the selection criteria to international championships to dispel the term tourist athletes.

“We don’t want them to go if they don’t perform to expecctations,” he said.

He told this to reporters after chairing a meeting for a ‘post-mortem’ on the performance of the national contingent to the Commonwealth Games and preparations for the 2014 Asian Games, at the National Sports Council (MSN) here today.

Meanwhile, the meeting today also identified several types of sports which were categorised as terminally ill following their dismal performances in Glasgow.

As such, Khairy said they must submit strong reasons to enable them to join the contingent in Incheon in September.

“Don’t just send the names of the athletes with their current performances. I want them to make justifications and compare between our athletes with those from other nations,” he added.

In the meantime, Khairy also said the participation of category B athletes (partially sponsored) must be conducted with greater care based on current performances and expected performances.

He said the excuse to give exposure was only applicable on back-up athletes who had high potential and their standards were on par with the achievements of Asian athletes. — Bernama