APG 2025: FAITH IN YOUNGER ATHLETES GIVES MALAYSIA A FILLIP IN THAILAND - NSC

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's courage in putting its faith in the younger generation paid off big time when this group inspired the national contingent to finish third overall in the ASEAN Para Games (APG) Thailand 2025.

National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Jefri Ngadirin said the long-term development-based strategy laid the foundation for the significant improvement in Malaysia's performance compared to previous editions, in line with the early preparations for the APG Malaysia 2027.

"Since the beginning, Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman and I were on the same page, agreeing to give early exposure to the younger athletes so that they will be fully prepared for the APG Malaysia 2027,” he told a media conference to talk about the Malaysian contingent's performance here today.

Jefri said that of the total number of Malaysian para athletes in Thailand, 42 per cent are aged below 25, followed by 45 per cent aged under 39 and 13 per cent aged 40 or older.

He added that this composition reflected the planned generational transition, with experienced seniors lending their guidance to younger talent.

Commenting on individual achievements, Jefri said swimmers shone the brightest when two were named as the contingent's best athletes at the biennial Games.

"In swimming, we chose two of them as our best athletes. One of them is Abd Halim Mohammad, who clinched five golds, one silver and one bronze.

"Swimmer Carmen Lim, who is based overseas, was named the best woman athlete after splashing her way to two golds, four silver and one bronze. These two swimmers should serve as an inspiration to others to aim for greater success in future Games,” he said.

Jefri, however, said athletics emerged as the national contingent's biggest medal contributors, delivering 20 gold, 22 silver and 23 bronze medals, followed by swimming (13 golds, 20 silvers and 22 bronzes); track and road cycling (nine golds); bowling (six golds); and powerlifting (five golds).

He added that national para athletes also set 15 meet records, a clear indication of their ability to shine on the big stage.

However, Jefri admitted that several sports failed to meet the stipulated targets and need lots of improvement, particularly in terms of technical expertise and international exposure.

As such, he said, they have already started early planning for APG Malaysia 2027, including organising athlete selection workshops and long-term programmes, with the first phase of training camps slated to begin in April.

Malaysia ended their APG 2025 campaign with a haul of 64 golds, 64 silvers and 73 bronzes for a total of 201 medals, finishing third in the overall medal standings - one spot higher than the fourth place in the 2023 edition in Cambodia. 

-- BERNAMA