KUALA LUMPUR: The good showing by Malaysia’s young athletes at the just concluded 3rd Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India is proof that they are capable of competing at a higher level.

National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong said it was also a sign that Malaysia would not be deprived of athletes with talent and potential.

“Sports like shooting, athletics and weightlifting have a bright future as the athletes can shine at a higher level,” he told reporters at a reception for Malaysia’s contingent here yesterday.

Zolkples said the shooters had done the country proud by capturing three silvers and two bronzes, much better than the achievement at senior level which was still lacking even at the SEA Games, except for Olympian Hasli Izwan Amir Hasan who was in a class of his own.

The Malaysian contingent represented by Under 18 athletes returned with three gold, four silver and six bronze medals and emerged seventh among 71 competing nations.

The three golds were won by weightlifters Aricco Jumit (62kg) and Mohd Hafifi Mansor (69kg) who broke the games record and shuttlers Ow Yao Han/Yew Hong Kheng in the men’s doubles.

Zolkples said the achievement was considered good since several events were being held for the first time while events that had given us gold like bowling, cycling, gymnastic and lawn bowl had been dropped.

“However, the events held were in line with those at senior level to ensure consistency in implementing development programmes,” he said.

Malaysia sent 41 athletes to compete in seven of the nine events held - table tennis, badminton, boxing, swimming, athletics, weightlifting and shooting.

Zolkples said to prepare their progress at senior level, the young athletes would be exposed to more games including the Asian Youth Games in Singapore next year and Youth Olympic Games in 2011.

The Malaysian young athletes returned with one gold, three silver and four bronze medals from Edinburgh, Scotland in 2000 followed by six golds, nine silvers and four bronzes from Bendigo, Australia in 2004.

— Bernama