Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 9, 2026: The flag handover ceremony for the Malaysian contingent to the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 was held on Tuesday, September 8 at the National Sports Council.
The ceremony was officiated by YB Dr. Mohammed Taufiq Johari, Minister of Youth and Sports Malaysia, who thanked all the stakeholders for their collaboration and support in preparing the Malaysian contingent.
The Malaysia delegation for the September 19 to October 4 Asian Games numbers 537 - 352 athletes (203 male and 149 female) and 185 team officials (140 male and 45 female).
During the flag handling segment, Commonwealth Games gold medallist and record holder Mohamad Aniq Kasdan carried the Jalur Gemilang into the hall and presented it to Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr.) Mohamad Norza Zakaria, President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, President of the SEA Games Federation and OCA Vice President.
The OCM President then handed the flag to YB Dr. Mohammed Taufiq Johari, who subsequently passed it to YB Datuk Wira Mohd Sumali Reduan, Chef de Mission of the Malaysian contingent.
YB Datuk Wira Mohd Sumali Reduan subsequently passed the Jalur Gemilang to one of the flagbearers of the Malaysian contingent, Tan Cheong Min of Wushu.
The final segment of the ceremony featured the Athlete’s Pledge, which was recited by the other flagbearer of the Malaysian contingent, Olympic sprinter Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi.
At the press conference following the ceremony, the CDM announced that Malaysia had set a target of winning 33 medals, comprising 6 gold, 7 silver and 20 bronze medals.
The targeted medals are expected to come from 13 sports: Aquatics (Diving), Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Cycling (Track), E-Sports, Hockey, Karate, Sailing, Sepaktakraw, Shooting, Squash and Wushu.
“The medal target is merely a benchmark and a reference point for us. More importantly, it is intended to motivate our athletes to push beyond their limits, strive to achieve their full potential and give their very best in every competition” said YB Datuk Wira Mohd Sumali Reduan.
“We want our athletes to compete with determination, confidence and resilience, fight until the very end and never give up as they represent the nation and compete with pride for the Malaysian contingent” he added.