Latest news with #SEA)DeafGames2025
Barnama
4 days ago
- Sport
- Barnama
SEA Deaf Games: Malaysia Eye Double Futsal Gold
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- A mix of experienced and new players will be the national deaf futsal squads' main weapon in their bid for a double gold at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Deaf Games 2025 in Jakarta from Aug 20 to 26. Head coach Lo Fook Fah is optimistic that the target can be achieved by both the men's and women's squads, based on the progress and chemistry built during training sessions ahead of the second edition of the Games. 'For the men's squad, there are about six senior players and four new ones, while the women's team has three seasoned players and seven newcomers. bootstrap slideshow 'I see very good cooperation among them, and their interactions are very close. The men's squad is targeting gold, and the same target is set for the women's team,' he told reporters after receiving a visit from chef de mission Sarkunan Balakrisnan during a training session here today. The men's team are the defending champions, while the women's squad finished with bronze at the inaugural SEA Deaf Games 2022 here. Fook Fah expects Thailand and Indonesia to be the main challengers in both futsal categories in Jakarta. He said only the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the draw to be held upon the team's arrival in Jakarta. Sarkunan said the national squads' preparations for games are going smoothly. Malaysia, which will send the second-largest contingent to the SEA Deaf Games, has set a mission of winning 16 gold medals, aiming to defend the overall title claimed at the inaugural edition three years ago.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Sea Deaf Games 2025: Malaysia target 16 gold medals in Jakarta
KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions Malaysia will send the country's second-largest contingent to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Deaf Games 2025 in Jakarta, from Aug 20 to 26, with the mission of winning 16 gold medals and retaining the title clinched at the inaugural edition in Kuala Lumpur in 2022. Malaysian Deaf Sports Association (MSDeaf) president Ong Shin Ruenn said the target comprises six gold medals in athletics, five in tenpin bowling, two in badminton, two in chess, and one in the men's futsal event. '... for the SEA Deaf Games 2025 in Jakarta, we hope the government can consider awarding cash incentives to players similar to those given to able-bodied athletes, especially in conjunction with National Day, if our athletes bring home medals for Malaysia. 'Our athletes have previously received rewards, such as at the Deaflympics, but the money was regarded as a token and not an incentive,' he said through a sign language interpreter after the press conference for the tournament here today. At the same time, Shin Ruenn expressed his hope that one day the deaf community in Malaysia would have a dedicated building equipped with centralised training facilities. He believes such a training centre would not only enhance the performance of athletes but also serve as a symbol of ongoing support for the development of sports in the deaf community in Malaysia. A total of 80 athletes will carry the nation's challenge this time, only 20 fewer than the host Indonesia's largest contingent of 100 athletes. Overall, Malaysia's contingent consists of 27 officlials and 53 athletes, who will compete in six sports - futsal, athletics, badminton, tenpin bowling, chess, and table tennis. Meanwhile, MSDeaf vice-president Sarkunan Balakrisnan, appointed as Chef de Mission, said it was a great honour to be entrusted with the responsibility. He is confident the target can be achieved with the team's high spirit and motivation, which will inspire more Malaysians to appreciate the capabilities of the deaf community. 'For me, the closest challenger will be the host, Indonesia. However, with all our preparations, we can certainly deliver,' he said. Perlis-born athlete Zaiman Megat Abu has been chosen as the flag bearer for the Games. He is a long jump and triple jump champion who previously won gold at the 2022 SEA Deaf Games in Kuala Lumpur - BERNAMA
