Lee Hup Wei, Asian champion, Beijing Olympics hopeful and co-holder of the national high jump record of 2.24m, must be wondering what is the purpose of him competing in the Malaysia Games.
NATIONAL athletes are threatening to overshadow any new talent that emerges from the Malaysia Games when the biennial event begins on May 31 in Terengganu.
Such is the ferocity which states attach to the gold medal chase that every available national athlete under the age of 23 have been included by their home states.
Their presence could have a discouraging effect on others competing as any chance of winning gold would be slim at best.
The rules determining the overall winners have also been changed from a points system previously to the medal tally which could lead to an overemphasis on raking in gold medals.
Hosts Terengganu lead the way by entering professionals Nafiizwan Adnan, the national men’s No 3, and Nafzahizam Adnan in squash to ensure both the individual and team event gold medals end up in their hands.
The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia allowed the age limit to be raised from 18 to 23 which allows other professionals including women’s National No 4 Delia Arnold (Federal Territories) in.
In athletics, Terengganu will press into service national sprinters Zabidi Ghazali, Zabidi Ahmad and Azizah Ibrahim and shot putter Adi Aliffudin Husin.
They have also roped in cyclists Azizulhasni Awang — a Beijing Olympic qualifier — and Fatehah Mustapa from their base in Melbourne to strengthen their gold medal chase.
Olympic-bound swimmers Daniel Bego (Sarawak), Khoo Cai Lin (Selangor), Leung Chii Lin (Sabah) and Lew Yih Wei (Negri Sembilan) will also be in action although they have been restricted to two events each.
Asian champion Lee Hup Wei (Selangor) might find himself wondering what he is doing at the Malaysia Games, a competition clearly beneath him, when he has more pressing matters to attend to such as qualifying for the Olympics.
Sabah will parade hurdler Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian, who should have little trouble running away with the 110m hurdles gold while Negri Sembilan’s national record holder Yap Jeng Tzan should also be equally dominant in the women’s discus.
However, national elite bowlers eligible to compete, including Zatil Iman Abdul Ghani (Selangor) and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman Sharon Koh (both FT), Aaron Kong and Adrian Ang (Penang) will not be in Terengganu after the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress barred them, setting an example that other national sports association would have done well to emulate.
The 12th edition of the Malaysia Games offers 404 gold, 404 silver and 505 bronze medals in 31 sports, including the newly introduced sports of formula future, equestrian and petanque.
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