Tan Sri Norza Zakaria will lead a new team at the Olympic Council of Malaysia for the 2025-2029 term, as two key personalities, Tan Sri Hamidin Amin and Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Razak, have decided not to defend their posts as deputy president and secretary.
The Council’s 44th Annual General Assembly is on April 19.
Norza is the only candidate for the president’s post. He received 14 nominations from archery, athletics, bodybuilding, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, judo, lawn tennis, netball, rugby, sailing, silat, tenpin bowling, and volleyball.
There are two nominees for the deputy president’s post, with Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad (karate) facing Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz (lawn bowls). Nur Azmi received two nominations, while Awalan had one.
Weightlifting’s Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali is the new secretary, as he was the only candidate.
There is also a contest for the assistant secretary’s post, with Arif Astaman (cycling) taking on Melvin Chia (billiards and snooker). Moira Tan (netball) is the other assistant secretary for women.
There are seven candidates for the five vice-presidents’ posts – Datuk Chong Kim Fatt (wushu), Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan (sepaktakraw), Datuk Iruan Zulkefli (boxing), Gerard Monteiro (squash), Azizul Anuar Adenan (taekwondo), Datuk Paduka Mumtaz Jaffar (athletics), and Nurul Huda Abdullah (swimming). Chong had five nominations, while the rest received one.
Of the five vice-president’s posts, at least one must be female, but there is a possibility of two if Nurul Huda and Mumtaz can get enough votes.
Datuk Ahmad Feisal Ahmad Tajuddin (cricket) and badminton’s Datuk V. Subramaniam are the treasurer and assistant treasurer.
Although he won’t have Hamidin and Nazifuddin by his side, Norza said he is confident in the new leadership’s capabilities and was particularly pleased that there are two strong women candidates for the vice-president’s posts.
“Mohd Nasir has been in the system and is an experienced administrator. He comes from a corporate background. He will be a big help,” said Norza.
“I would like to express my thanks to Hamidin and Nazifuddin for their service. I’m excited for my next term, as there are many things I hope to achieve.
“Nurul Huda is a legendary swimmer and Mumtaz is also a legend in athletics. To have two powerful women fighting to be vice-president is a step in the right direction.”
Norza said top of his list for his new term is to modernise OCM, particularly as it will move to its new headquarters in Bukit Jalil.
The other task is to help the government successfully host the 2027 SEA Games.
“OCM helps facilitate everything pertaining to the multi-games such as the Olympics, SEA Games, and Asian Games,” said Norza.
“Besides moving to the new headquarters, I also want to ensure a successful 2027 SEA Games, work with the respective national sports associations for this year’s SEA Games, next year’s Asian Games, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.”
Asked if he hoped to see Malaysia win a gold medal in 2028, Norza replied: “I would like to make it clear that OCM is not responsible for high performance in sports, but is the umbrella body affiliated with the International Olympic Council.
“Of course, everyone wants to win gold, but when it comes to high-performance in sports, the Youth and Sports Ministry and National Sports Council handle that, as they control the money and funding.”
Nominees for OCM 2025-2029 term
President:
Tan Sri Norza Zakaria (badminton) – Uncontested
Deputy president:
Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad (karate)
Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz (lawn bowls)
Vice-presidents (five posts, at least one woman):
Datuk Chong Kim Fatt (wushu)
Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan (sepaktakraw)
Datuk Iruan Zulkefli (boxing)
Gerard Monteiro (squash)
Azizul Anuar Adenan (taekwondo)
Datuk Paduka Mumtaz Jaffar (athletics)
Nurul Huda Abdullah (swimming)
Secretary:
Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali (weightlifting) – Uncontested
Assistant secretary (two posts, at least one woman):
Arif Astaman (cycling)
Melvin Chia (billiards and snooker)
Moira Tan (netball) – Uncontested
Treasurer:
Datuk Ahmad Feisal Ahmad Tajuddin (cricket) – Uncontested
Assistant treasurer:
Datuk V. Subramaniam (badminton) – Uncontested
