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Thailand want at least 90 golds to stay No 1

SINGAPORE — The 28th SEA Games may be part of the lead up to Singapore’s 50th National Day celebrations on Aug 9, but the Republic can expect no favours from Thailand.

SINGAPORE — The 28th SEA Games may be part of the lead up to Singapore’s 50th National Day celebrations on Aug 9, but the Republic can expect no favours from Thailand.

The Thais have traditionally been the region’s sporting kingpins, having once again underlined their dominance at the last SEA Games in Myanmar two years ago, where they topped the medal standings with 107 gold, 94 silver and 81 bronze medals.

This time, the aim remains the same for Thailand’s 775-strong athlete contingent, which is competing in all 36 sports: To finish first again.

“We hope to be number one again, and our aim is to win at least 90 gold medals,” said Thailand’s chef de mission, Thana Chaiprasit.

“We’re expecting tough challenges in many of the sports from countries like Vietnam and Indonesia. Singapore, as hosts, will also give us a tough fight as well.”

He pointed out that sprinter Jirapong Meenapra, who won the men’s 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the 2013 Games, swimmer Natthanan Junkrajang, also a triple gold medallist at the Myanmar Games, and the women’s volleyball team are among the top Thai athletes to look out for.

But Thana said a record-extending 15th SEA Games gold for Thailand’s men’s under-23 football team is a must. He said: “Because football is so important in our country, our team must win the gold again this year.”

He was speaking at the official welcome ceremony at the Sports Hub’s Kallang Wave Mall yesterday for 10 of the 11 participating National Olympic Committees in Thailand, along with Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Vietnam and hosts Singapore. Myanmar were officially welcomed on Monday.

“A lot of (the foreign athletes and delegates) are very impressed with the facilities that we have here,” said Singapore’s co-chef de mission, Nicholas Fang. “There is also a lot of pent-up excitement and anticipation to see what Singapore can do, and we’re showing them that we can put on a good show.”

Table tennis, football, synchronised swimming and netball, as well as fencing, which starts today, have commenced their competition schedule ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony at the National Stadium.

“I think the initial start that Team Singapore has made bodes well for us, especially with our paddlers winning the first gold medal of the SEA Games,” said Singapore’s co-chef de mission, Tan Eng Liang.

“We also watched Singapore’s football match against the Philippines (on Monday), and we should have won that game by at least 3-0. But to get the victory was the most important thing, so it has been positive for us so far.” Noah Tan

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