World champions Thailand once again remain the hot favourites but Malaysia aim to put the end their gold drought in Boccia in the 9th Asean Para Games in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 17-23.
In head coach Mohd Isa Noor’s own words that “nothing is impossible” as Malaysia aim to improve on their two silvers and one bronze medal haul at the last Asean Para Games in Singapore in 2015.
“The gold medal has remained elusive the sport was first introduced in Korat in 2007. Thailand are the world champions and will once again start as favourites but it stops at that.
“There are no reasons why we cannot be on the podium with the gold as the targe. Nothing is impossible in sports these days,” said Isa at a press conference, adding that the Boccia team is also drawing inspiration from national petanque athlete Muhd Hafizuddin Mat Daud who won the gold in the Sea Games.
The Malaysian Boccia team has been at the Paralympic Sports Complex in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur for the past six months for the Asean Para Games.
The 11-member strong Boccia squad will be competing in all seven events – individual,, pairs and team.
“We are 90 per cent ready and all geared and ready for the Games after six months of intensive training.”
In 2015, the Malaysian cerebral palsy athletes bagged two silvers (individual BC1 and team event BC1/BC2) and a bronze (individual BC2). Thailand showed their might in sweeping all the six gold medals at stake in Singapore.
Lee Chee Hoong and Lean Chin Kit, who won the silver in Singapore, were also present at the press conference.
“We’ve been working on our game plans to beat Thailand this time. We are much more confident this time around to win the gold in on home turf.
“We’ve worked hard in training to iron out our weaknesses and learned from our past experiences. The victory margin by Thailand in Singapore was only three or four points.
“Hopefully this time around we will turn the tables on the Thais and win the gold for the country and people of Malaysia,” said Chin Kit. – BY ALVIN OH
