KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysia Rugby Union (MRU) is optimistic about the national men’s rugby sevens (7s) team’s chances of winning gold at the upcoming SEA Games in Bangkok.
MRU Deputy President Mohd Azmir Zanul Abdin told Scoop that this goal is achievable, given the team’s preparations and the skills of the players.
However, Azmir noted that Thailand poses a significant challenge, as the host country has been intensively training for the past two years to secure the gold medal.
“Historically, our aim for the men’s team has been to at least reach the finals, which aligns with our ongoing expectations.
“The possibility of winning gold will depend on our preparations and what we can accomplish leading up to early October,” he said.
He expressed confidence in the team’s recent performances, indicating substantial improvement and a strong chance of winning gold.
Azmir emphasised that this year’s Sea Games will feature tough competition, particularly from Thailand, which has become more serious about rugby as the host nation.
Regarding preparations for the SEA Games, Azmir said that several tournaments and friendly matches are planned to evaluate the team’s readiness.
“We aim to organise five to six friendly matches before the Sea Games, considering teams from South Asia and Oceania. The details about the teams and match dates will be announced by our governing body soon,” he added.
Notably, Malaysia’s rugby sevens team made history by winning its first SEA Games gold medal at the 2017 edition held in Kuala Lumpur. – June 19, 2025