Myanmar set its sights on the ambitious target of 100 gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) yesterday after stunning guests with a lavish opening ceremony.
Deputy director-general of the Burmese Ministry of Sports Onh Myint Oo said the hosts were going for 100 golds and maybe more.
“We are targeting 100 gold medals and hopefully more,” he said.
Myanmar won just 16 gold medals at the Games’ previous edition in 2011.
The impoverished country has not finished top of the medals table since last hosting the regional tournament in 1969.
However, Myanmar is to face stiff competition, not least from 2011 hosts and table-toppers Indonesia, who are aiming to accrue nearly 150 gold medals.
As of press time, Myanmar was leading the medals table with 20 gold, 13 silver and 12 bronze. Vietnam was in second place with 14 gold, six silver and nine bronze medals, while Indonesia was third with nine gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals, followed by Thailand with eight gold, 12 silver and nine bronze medals.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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