Latest news with #KualaLumpurGames
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Snooker squad left in limbo as SEA Games organisers go silent
KUALA LUMPUR: A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the national snooker and billiards squad ahead of the Thailand SEA Games (on Dec 9-20), with organisers under fire for a lack of communication and vital event information. Since 2007, veterans Thor Chuan Leong, Lim Kok Leong, and Moh Keen Hoo have delivered 11 gold medals for Malaysia, missing out only at the 2009 Vientiane and 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games. But the team's preparation for this year's edition has been thrown into disarray. Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation (MSBF) president Melvin Chia said their medal hopes could go up in smoke due to radio silence from the hosts. "It's quite frustrating for us. We're not getting any official updates from the organisers," said Melvin. "We're now hearing that snooker and billiards, which were initially set to take place in Chonburi, have been moved to Songkhla. "We wrote to them last October, but there's still no response. They've yet to provide the SEA Games technical handbook, and that's seriously affecting our planning." The handbook outlines crucial details such as rules, equipment regulations, and scheduling, all vital for organising squad selections and logistics. "If the events clash, we may need to bring more players. That's why we need the full details to plan accordingly," he said. Melvin also voiced concern over the limited range of events, saying the decision to include only snooker and billiards goes against the spirit of the Games. "There are eight snooker events and two in English billiards, but no pool or carrom," he said. "We understand the host nation has the right to choose events, but it should be done fairly. "What happens if the Philippines decide to offer only pool in the future, or Vietnam just carrom? We need to think of the sport's long-term development, not just winning medals." In total, 10 medals will be on offer in Thailand — four in snooker (singles and team), four in six-red snooker (singles and team) and two in English billiards (singles and team) Melvin warned that continued silence from the organisers could derail Malaysia's preparations, as training, budgeting, and athlete logistics all hang in the balance.
New Straits Times
17-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Olympian Welson eyes Sea Games return after missing Cambodia edition
KUALA LUMPUR: Olympian Welson Sim has set his sights on returning to the national swimming team for this year's Thailand Sea Games, after missing the 2023 edition in Phnom Penh. The 28-year-old hopes a strong showing at the SportExcel Championships in Bukit Jalil in August will pave the way for his comeback. Welson, who left the national team in Bukit Jalil in 2022 to train independently, has competed in every Sea Games since 2013, except the 2023 edition. He is a three-time Sea Games gold medallist, but concedes that his best chance of making the Sea Games team are in the relay events rather than individual disciplines. "Right now, it's training as usual, but the focus is very clear. The Sea Games are the main target for the entire swimming team. For me, the goal is to qualify and represent Malaysia," said Welson, who won the 200m and 400m freestyle golds at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games. "We already have Khiew Hoe Yean qualified for the 100m and 200m freestyle, so if we want to swim these individual events too, we must be among the top two in Malaysia. "For the relay team, we need to be in the top four to make the cut." At the Cambodia Games, the Malaysian quartet of Lim Yin Chuen, Arvin Chahal, Hoe Yean and Terence Ng claimed silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay. Arvin, Steve, Tan Khai Xin and Yin Chuen also took bronze in the 4x200m freestyle. Welson believes Malaysia remain strong contenders in the relay events despite fierce competition. "Singapore have always been a very strong team in the relay events, and Vietnam are also not to be underestimated. But Malaysia have consistently been strong contenders at the Sea Games," he added.
