KUALA LUMPUR – The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) should stop creating a trend of setting overly ambitious targets without solid justification, and instead adopt a structured, data-driven approach if Malaysia is serious about emerging as the overall champions at the 2027 SEA Games on home soil.
Speaking to Scoop, veteran local sports analyst Datuk Pekan Ramli said that while it is common for host nations to aim for overall champion status, such a target should not be announced prematurely without a comprehensive analysis, particularly in terms of realistic gold medal projections.
“When a country hosts the Games, it is normal to target overall champion status. That has become a trend across the region,” he said.
“But the problem arises when the target is set too early, without proper evaluation of the athletes’ current form, the strength of the competition, and whether the preparation programmes are robust enough.
“Announcing a goal too soon can create unnecessary pressure on the athletes and officials alike, and may ultimately backfire if the results fall short.”
Pekan, a senior lecturer at UiTM’s Sports Science and Recreation Faculty, also stressed that KBS, together with the National Sports Council (NSC) and the National Sports Institute (NSI), must ensure that the objective is achieved through meticulous planning, rather than by adding questionable or irrelevant events merely to boost the gold medal tally.
“It is not just about the number of gold medals,” Pekan said.
“The key is quality preparation. We need to focus on sports where our athletes have proven potential, invest in long-term development, and ensure that coaching, nutrition, mental preparation, and support systems are all aligned.
“Winning through manipulation of events or relying on home advantage will not earn respect from other nations. We should aim to win in a manner that is fair, transparent, and commendable.”
He also urged officials to look at past performances for guidance.
“Take the recent SEA Games in Thailand, for example. Our contingent only managed to secure 57 gold medals. Squash was the only sport where we truly dominated across all categories.
“This shows that even as a host, achieving overall champion status is not automatic. It requires strategic focus, systematic planning, and realistic target-setting based on thorough analysis.”
On January 15, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari announced Malaysia’s target to emerge as overall champions at the 2027 SEA Games on home soil, echoing the success achieved during the 2017 edition. – January 19, 2026