KUALA LUMPUR – The nation’s sporting icons have been roped into the government’s new Road to Gold committee, with the aim to clinch Malaysia’s first Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Replacing the Gold Paris Programme, the new initiative will work with the existing Podium Programme, which focuses on elite athlete preparations and serves as a top-up committee focused on providing additional support to potential medallists.
Jointly chaired by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, the committee will also see squash queen Datuk Nicol Ann David appointed as the Paris Olympics’ deputy chef de mission.
Badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei and three-time Olympian Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi have been brought into the committee, while National Sports Council (NSC) management board member Stuart Ramalingam will be the project coordinator with Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) CEO Michelle Chai as assistant.
Speaking to the media, Norza said the committee will elevate the current existing Podium Programme by identifying what potential medal-winning athletes need in order to succeed.
However, he said the plans are still premature, as the athletes first need to qualify for the Olympics in order to compete for a medal.
“The project coordinator needs to identify what those elite athletes within the Podium Programme need on their road to qualifying and how much of a gap is between them and their target,” he said today at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
Norza added that the joint effort is a hands-on step in ensuring that all parties work together to realise a common goal.
“OCM has always asked the government to work together with us as the custodians of the game.
“This is a proactive and brave step for all to work together and realise the hope of the Malaysian people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Yeoh said the forming of the committee had gone through extensive consultation before the members were appointed.
“For the first time, I believe we have brought in all the relevant stakeholders together with the industry players to jointly make decisions.
“The goal is to make sure all our resources are dedicated to promoting sports and to deliver the nation’s first Olympic gold,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Segambut MP added that the Road to Gold committee is also focused on removing restrictions, overcoming limitations, and providing additional support for potential medallists.
“Tailored specifically for each athlete, the additional support will also be subject to periodic review and reciprocal commitment from the potential medallists,” she said.
As a former athlete, Mirnawan said the role of the sporting icons is to further motivate the athletes and give them the extra support needed to clinch gold.
“Even though an athlete can get support or receive help in any form, the most important thing is for the athlete to want to succeed. They need to be hungry for success.
“So we will see to it from that aspect on how to fill in the gaps and make sure the athletes who have the potential to bring home gold can perform at their best,” he said.
The Malaysian contingent for the 2024 Paris Olympics will be led by Football Association of Malaysia president and FIFA Council member Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin as chef de mission.
Other committee members include KBS secretary-general K. Nagulendran, NSC director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi, National Sports Institute CEO Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli, and Malaysian Hockey Confederation national team management committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Najmi Abdul Razak. – The Vibes, March 12, 2023
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