The 2018 World Championships men's singles champion said he was thrilled to be selected to carry the Jalur Gemilang from among the 773 athletes in the Malaysian contingent.
"I am proud to be carrying the Malaysia flag at the SEA Games and this has motivated me to do well in Manila," he said after the flag handover ceremony in conjunction with the Malaysian contingent’s final assembly for the 2019 SEA Games on Thursday.
The ceremony was officiated by Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
I feel honoured to be selected as the flag bearer for Malaysia, and to represent our nation ?? together with all the Malaysian athletes for Sea Games 2019 in Philippines. Goodluck team Malaysia & lets do our best!!! @MSNMALAYSIA @TeamMsia pic.twitter.com/kxI6FN53uL
— Rafiq (@_RafiqIsmail) November 21, 2019
The Kuala Lumpur-born bowler aimed to win at least one gold in the four events he would be taking part in - singles, doubles, mixed doubles and team events.
"I am aiming for gold in the team event, but getting [gold] in other events would be a bonus for me.
"I don’t want to put pressure on myself and I want to remain focused,” he said, adding that the presence of Shalin Zulkifli would spur him to perform well at the games.
Rafiq also revealed the country's tenpin bowling squad had been training at the Endah Parade's bowling centre due to its lane and oiling pattern similiarites to the EDSA Shaw Starmall Bowling Centre in Manila, the venue for bowling events at the SEA Games.
He added that the country's bowling team would depart for Manila on November 29.
Rafiq won three gold and one silver medals at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore, and two golds and one silver in front of his home crowd two years ago.
