A special session was held on Wednesday at Wisma FAM Kelana Jaya hosted by Datuk Haji Hamidin Haji Mohd Amin, Chef de Mission of the Malaysian Contingent to the 31st SEA Games Vietnam 2021 to discuss more on the potentials and preparation of the various National Sports Association on their respective targets and aspiration for the upcoming Regional game. The Malaysian Chess Federation (MCF) was represented by President Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi and Secretary Najib Abdul Wahab.

Aside from the “realistic Gold Medal target” which both Datuk Haji Hamidin and Akhramsyah had agreed on for chess to achieve at the regional event, other topics of discussion revolved around the vaccination program for the athlete – and the lack of vaccine for the younger players, the qualification criteria for selection, and the events that the Malaysian squad will be participating in preparation for the event. While the Zonal and Continental event can be used as dipstick events to gauge our chances for medals, MCF is also preparing various selection events to be organized sometime in June and July to select potential players to represent Malaysia in the Rapid and Blitz discipline. The upcoming FT event scheduled in June and a possible Malaysian Chess Championship to be held later in the year, are two other possible events that can be used to select potential players for the Standard discipline.

Compare to the SEA Games in Manila in 2019, Vietnam decided to add the Classical event as one of the medals contested with both Rapid and Blitz event (Team and Individual) to be maintained as before. Considering they have GM Le Quang Liem (ranked 31st in the World) and GM Ngoc Truong Son in their line up – two of the highest rated player in the region, it does not take a genius to figure out the reason why the Vietnam organizer decided to field the Standard discipline as an additional medal event.

For MCF, with 10 Gold Medals up for grabs in Hanoi, President Akhramsyah is confident that MCF can send a full squad to participate in all the events offered. The only challenge now is that – with the schedule remains in the dark, it is not known whether the categories of play will be scheduled concurrently, or one after the other, as the latter option will allow some players to take up more than just one event. Further, with COVID19 cases roller coastering within the region, there is also a slim chance that the Sports Festival will be reduced in the number of events offered, postponed or at worst, cancelled indefinitely.

While Malaysia’s chances – on paper, may not look convincing, surprises and lady luck maybe on our side, and historically, our players have been known to pose serious threats and spring impressive wins and performances that can come at times when it is most needed.

For those who are keen to be part of the SEA Games squad to the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi at the end of the year, be on the lookout for more announcements on the selection tournaments and events as the date for name submissions draws closer.

More news on the meeting can be found at https://www.bharian.com.my/sukan/lain-lain/2021/04/809642/hamidin-jumpa-10-persatuan-sukan-kebangsaan and OCM FB page at https://www.facebook.com/131071872260/posts/10158312425942261/?d=n

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