SEPANG: Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot is confident Malaysia will end the nation’s 24-year gold drought in this year's World Skills Competition (WSC).

He said the WSC 2017, which will be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arabs Emirates from Oct 14, is the best platform for the national contingent to create history by winning the first gold medal for the nation, placing Malaysia among the countries which are known for skills.

“With intensive training and the guidance of trainers and 20 experts, I believe our national participants can win the first gold medal in this international level skills competition.

“The participants have shown extraordinary spirit and because of that, we are confident the contingent will bring back at least one gold medal to Malaysia,” he said in his speech as he flagged off the national contingent on their way to WSC 2017 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, here today.

With its 21 participants, the Malaysian contingent, which is led by Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abdul Muttalib, who is also the chef-de-mission, will compete in 20 events.

Riot said after the success of bringing bronze medals back from the WSC in Sao Paulo, Brazil two years ago, he was confident that the momentum would be continued, and the participants had the experience of making Malaysia the overall winner at the Asean Skill Competition last year.

“At that competition (Asean Skill Competition), Malaysia swept 22 gold medals, four silver and five bronze, and to me, there is no reason why our national participants cannot repeat their excellence at a higher level,” he said. — Bernama