KUALA LUMPUR — Former national hockey player Arrifin Mohd Ghani has been appointed the new Sports Commissioner on a two-year contract, effective today.
The Sports Commissioner’s Office announced on its official Facebook page. Arrifin succeeds Datuk Suhardi Alias.
Arrifin, a national player from 1989 to 1993, has also served with the National Sports Council. A law graduate, he was recognised as a Sports Alumni Icon by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
He becomes only the second former national athlete to hold the post, following Datuk Zaiton Othman’s appointment in 1982.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh congratulated Arrifin, expressing confidence in his ability to strengthen Malaysia’s sports governance.
“With his experience on the field, in sports administration and academia, I’m confident he will strengthen national sports bodies. Wishing him all the best,” she said in a statement. — August 15, 2025