MALACCA, July 13 — The 18-year-old national 100m sprint record held by Sarawakian Watson Nyambek is expected to come under serious threat in his own backyard when Sarawak host the 18th Sukma.
Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron believes sprinters from the state would probably spring a surprise or two in the men’s 100m sprint and 4x100m in the games scheduled from July 22 to 31.
“We are hoping for a surprise in track events, especially the men’s 100m sprint record held by Watson for many years now and the 4x100m relay,” he told reporters after a flag handing over ceremony for the Malacca Sukma contingent at the State Sports Council, here today.
Idris said Malacca would be sending a 227-member contingent to participate in 22 of the 24 sports contested.
“Our target is to win 25 gold medals. Athletes apart, 39 coaches, 23 team managers, 34 officials and 10 chaperons will accompany the contingent members,” he said.
The focus of the sprint event will certainly be on young sprinter Badrul Hisyam Abdul Manap, who dipped below Watson’s record of 10.30s at the Asean Schools Athletics Championships in Brunei last year but his time of 10.29s was not recognised due to a technical oversight by the organisers.
Idris said Malacca, after winning only 16 gold, 12 silver and 17 bronze medals in Perlis two years ago, would be hoping to collect the targeted 20 gold medals from athletics, badminton, tenpin bowling, silat and wushu. — Bernama
