Fencing to become a compulsory sport if Malaysian fencers earn gold in the SEA Games ahead
On June 7, the Director General of National Sports Council (NSC) of Malaysia, Datuk Zolkples Embong, told the reporters in Kuala Lumpur that fencing will be made one of the mandatory sports in Malaysia, if the national fencers bring home gold medals
from the South East Asian Games (SEA), which is to be conducted in Indonesia, ahead this year.
He commented, "I don't see anything wrong in making fencing a compulsory sport if we have athletes capable of contesting at international level.”
He gave these remarks in view of the impressive performances given by the local fencers in the fencing events of the 14th Malaysia Games that are currently underway at the National Sports Council's Gymnasium 3. This event encompasses 19 sports that
are held in 17 different venues in Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam and Bangi.
On the last day, June 7, the fencing event concluded with fencers from Johor being the stand-outs of the competition. Johor sealed two of the last day’s three gold medals in the team's competitions namely in Women’s Epee and Women’s Sabre team.
With these two counts, their total medal tally reached to seven gold medals, two silver and bronze medals each, making an impressive total of 11 medals.
They fought for taking the overall title from Selangor that ended at third place with Federal Territories at second place.
At the end of the day, they were in the spotlight with the highest number of podium places secured in the 14th Malaysia Games for fencing.
Zolkples was very impressed and commented, "I see many young talents who can be roped in as junior athletes. This shows that states are capable of producing good athletes."
The players were trained for almost six months period at the Sekolah Sukan Bandar Penawar, before their participation in the national games.
Johor took the title away from the last year’s title defender, Selangor, when they lost from the team in the last year’ final that was played in Melaka. This year they answered back, snatching the victory and playing even.
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