Malaysia Sending Largest Contingent For SEA Games In Korat

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is expected to send 1,139 athletes and officials for the SEA Games in Korat, Thailand in December.

It will be Malaysia's largest contingent ever to the Games, held biennially since 1959.

Olympic Council of Malaysia Honorary Secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said although the SEA Games Committee reported that Malaysia would send 850 athletes and 281 officials, the number would increase before the list was finalised.

"The actual strength of Malaysia's contingent will only be known on Sept 25," he told Bernama here today.

Yesterday, the SEA Games Committee in Bangkok said that 6,500 athletes would camp in Thailand from Dec 6 to 15 for the Games where they would vie for 485 gold medals through 45 types of sports.

The report also said the contingent from Malaysia would be the third largest, totalling 858 athletes, after Thailand (1,138) and the Philippines (902).

Sieh said Malaysia would participate in 42 sporting events but would not compete in three sports namely muay-thai, wrestling and the dragon boat race.

-- BERNAMA