And that’s why the NSC, he said, aims to support national athletes “as much as we can with high level facilities”.
Zolkples said this at the launch of the NSC Cup Air Gun Shooting Championships at the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex Gymnasium 3 shooting range on Wednesday.
This is the first competitive tournament to be held at the venue and 86 local shooters – both men and women – will be taking part. The three-day meet begins Thursday.
“The championships will help the Malaysian shooters to compete constantly and continue to improve,” he said.
Expectations are high on the national shooters to gun down gold medals at the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar in December.
The 14 national shooters, who will be led by team manager and former Olympian Datuk Sabiamad Abdul Ahad, can expect to come under immense pressure.
Twenty-nine-year-old Joseline Cheah, who is on a great run of form, is looking to go for gold in Myanmar so as to justify her selection to the national team.
Olympian Nur Suryani is also looking to shine in Myanmar.
“We have experienced shooters going to Myanmar. This new shooting range, which is a great investment and equipped with new technology, is certain to generate great interest from the younger generation and improve Malaysia’s chances of winning more gold medals,” said an excited Zolkples.
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