Youth and Sports Minister says six gold target at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games realistic

Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the target took into account assessments and discussions as well as the athletes’ preparations throughout their training period. — Bernama pic

First Published: Tuesday, 15 Sep 2026 9:43 AM MYT

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 15 — The target of six gold medals at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, to be held from Sept 19 to Oct 4, is considered realistic based on an assessment of the athletes’ capabilities and the commitment of sports associations.

Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the target took into account assessments and discussions as well as the athletes’ preparations throughout their training period.

“We are very optimistic and positive about what the contingent, athletes, coaches and all sports associations can deliver. We have conducted assessments and discussions, and every sports association has given its full commitment,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after the National 2026 Perdana Youth Award (APBN) presentation ceremony here yesterday, he said athletes’ mental preparation should not be taken lightly as it could affect their performance despite undergoing lengthy training.

“Mental preparation is very, very important because anything can happen... technical issues and things that affect their mental state can cause changes in terms of performance,” he said, adding that medal-winning performance was important as part of the preparations for bigger competitions, such as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Dr Mohammed Taufiq, who will be in Aichi-Nagoya from Sept 18 to 24, said the contingent’s welfare was also being given attention, particularly amid the unfavourable weather conditions in Japan currently, with the situation being closely monitored together with the hosts and Malaysian representatives there.

National contingent chef de mission to the Asian Games, Datuk Sumali Reduan, was previously reported as saying that the national contingent was targeting six gold, seven silver and 20 bronze medals at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.

Malaysia is sending 352 athletes and 185 officials to compete in 30 of the 43 sports, with the national contingent participating in 156 of the 469 events on offer.

Of the athletes, 15 are from the Road to Gold programme, 158 from the podium programme, 14 from the development programme and 165 under sports association programmes, while 110 athletes aged below 21 are also part of the contingent.

Thirteen sports have been identified as potential medal contributors, namely track cycling, badminton, archery, diving, squash, sepak takraw, hockey, athletics, sailing, karate, wushu, e-sports and shooting. — Bernama