KUALA LUMPUR – The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) will issue a resolution to the government to seek assurances that its plan to host the 2027 SEA Games will go on.
Speaking at a press conference after the OCM’s 209th Executive Council Meeting today, its president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said the resolution was backed by every member association.
The resolution will be delivered via a letter to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to inform her of the unanimous support from the Malaysian sports fraternity.
Norza, who is also the president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), said there is a need for the resolution, especially given the government’s recent rejection of the offer to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
“By the government’s rejection of the opportunity presented by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), there is a worry from the sports fraternity that a similar fate will befall the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in 2027.
“We just want to appeal to the government to ensure the plan to host the SEA Games remains on track.
“We don’t want any disruptions to the plan because it also involves our image and pride as we have received queries upon the news of the rejection of hosting the Commonwealth Games.
“When we face the SEA Games Federation we want to have the confidence that the government is with us,” said Norza.
He added that the resolution is harmless and represents the grassroots’ desire for the government to maintain the plan to host the SEA Games in 2027.
Meanwhile, Hannah said that she will have a meeting with Norza tomorrow.
“We are doing an impact study on the viability of hosting the SEA Games first and are talking to stakeholders.
“Then, I will present the findings to the cabinet,” she said when met at the ministry’s Raya Open House at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, here today. – April 29, 2024