Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, the Olympic Council of Malaysia president, has brought its country and Southeast Asian Games’ (SEA) focus on Olympic sports.
He said that becoming successful at SEA Games and at Asian level is not enough.
“We must understand that after our success at Kuala Lumpur 2017, we were only able to finish fifth or sixth at subsequent editions of the SEA Games. Do you call that success?” said Norza, as reported by the Straits Times.
“Success is about continuity, about maintaining our position and to build at the Sea Games and Asian level in the hopes of succeeding at the Olympics in the future. But if we keep on thinking about how to become village champions (jaguh kampung), what is the point? I don’t think that is the right move.”
Malaysia will host the 2027 SEA Games and confirmed this week that it has agreed with other nations to focus on Olympic sports from the upcoming editions. Thailand will host the event this year while Singapore will stage the event in 2029.
Malaysia Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, also, confirmed that Olympic sports will be a priority while choosing the roster for 2027 edition.
“After that, the work must start because we don’t have much time. So, for the events (to be contested), they will very much depend on the budget and the sports associations… for us to discuss with the OCM,” Yeoh told The Sun.
Malaysia has introduced the podium programme to prepare athletes for the 2027 events.
“The ongoing implementation of the Podium Programme by NSC, in collaboration with key stakeholders, is designed not only to prepare athletes for the 2025 SEA Games but also to support preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, 2026 Asian Games, and 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games,” she said during a press call in the Dewan Negara.
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