'Flop Four' Under the Microscope: NSC Orders Review of Athletics, Swimming, Archery and Shooting After Asiad Blank
The NSC and OCM say athletics, swimming, archery and shooting must be reviewed after all four came home from Aichi-Nagoya without a medal.
Malaysia's record-equalling nine golds are not the whole story of Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Four sports, each with a large number of medal events at any Asian Games, came home with nothing. The National Sports Council (NSC) says they need a full review.
Athletics, swimming, archery and shooting did not win a single medal in Japan. Bernama called them the "flop four".
What the NSC said
NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin said the four sports are capable of more.
"Athletics, archery, swimming and shooting are actually capable of competing at a higher level. However, we need to reassess the planning," Jefri said on Sunday, 4 October.
He said the NSC would hold detailed reviews with the national associations and coaches.
The OCM view
Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary-general Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali agreed there is potential, and pointed to specific gaps. He said improvement is needed in equipment, coaches and competition exposure.
According to Bernama, the problems discussed included:
- Too little competition. Some athletes compete internationally only two or three times a year.
- Equipment that falls short of what top Asian rivals use.
- Coaching quality in some programmes.
- How some associations are run.
- A big gap between SEA Games and Asian Games standard. Athletes who win in Southeast Asia struggle against Asia's best.
How the four sports fared
Athletics was hit by bad luck. Sprinter Muhd Azeem Fahmi, one of Malaysia's two flagbearers at the opening ceremony, reached the 100m final but was injured in the race and finished eighth. Thailand's Puripol Boonson won in a Games record.
Archery ended without a medal after Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh lost to South Korea's Park.
Swimming had a record-breaking swim on the second day, according to the New Straits Times, but no Malaysian reached the podium.
Shooting also finished without a medal.
Why it matters for funding
These are not minor sports. Athletics and swimming have the most medal events at the Olympics and the Asian Games. Shooting and archery also offer many medals. Nations that do well in multi-sport games usually win a lot in them.
Jefri and Nasir did not give any figures, and no cuts or increases to funding have been announced. But a review that looks at equipment, coaching and overseas competition will cost money. It will also affect how the NSC divides its budget ahead of the 2027 SEA Games, which Malaysia hosts.
The contrast with the medal sports
Sports that did win in Nagoya have been praised for strong management. Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari called the Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) a model for other associations. The Malaysian Karate Federation credited support from the ministry, the NSC and the National Sports Institute.
The question for the four sports is whether they can show the same organisation before Doha 2030.
Key takeaways
- Athletics, swimming, archery and shooting won no medals at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
- NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin said the four can compete at a higher level, but their planning must be reassessed.
- OCM's Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali pointed to equipment, coaching and competition exposure.
- No funding changes have been announced yet.
FAQ
Which sports did the NSC single out for review? Athletics, swimming, archery and shooting. None won a medal in Aichi-Nagoya.
What problems were identified? Limited international competition, equipment, coaching quality, how associations are run, and the jump from SEA Games to Asian Games level.
Has the NSC cut funding to these sports? No. No funding decisions have been announced. The NSC says it will first hold reviews with the associations and coaches.
Sources: Bernama, The Star, theSun, New Straits Times, Malay Mail