(From left): OCM honorary-secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, OCM vice-president Datuk Prof Madya Datuk Zakaria Ahmad, OCM vice-president Datuk Roy Rajasingham, Malaysian Health Promotion Board CEO Datuk Dr Yahya Baba and Toh Puan Datuk Seri Dr Aishah Ong after the signing of the MOU between OCM and Malaysia Health Promotion Board. Pic by Yazit Razali
DESPITE a smaller contingent for the London Olympics, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) honorary-secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi remains optimistic that Malaysian athletes will be able to better the results of 2008 in Beijing.
Kok Chi said the quality of athletes who will be competing in London is better compared to four years ago and he is hoping they will be able to bring home more than one medal this time.
"At the moment we already have 27 athletes confirmed for the Games. However, we are hoping to get another four through athletics (two) and swimming (two)," said Kok Chi when met at the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing between the OCM and Malaysian Health Promotion Board (MySihat) yesterday.
"If we do get the four places, the contingent will be only slightly less than that of the Beijing Games where we had 33 athletes.
"The quality, however, is better this year as we have athletes who can contend for medals in sports other than badminton.
"Obviously our main goal this time is to get our first gold medal. However, we hope to get more than the one medal we got in Beijing.
"We are looking at winning two (medals) this time and will look to do so through badminton, cycling and also diving.
Malaysia won only one silver medal at the Beijing Games through Lee Chong Wei in badminton.
Meanwhile, the MoU between OCM and MySihat will see the government arm pump funds into the OCM in an effort to promote sport among the Malaysian public as a means of staying healthy.
OCM vice president Datuk Roy Rajasingham said OCM will utilise the expertise of the 55 National Sports Associations (NSA) affiliated under the council to organise promotional events.
"We are looking at organising events which will cater to people of all ages as involvement in sports will make for a healthier life for everyone," said Roy.
"This initiative is also in line with the 'Sports for All' campaign by the International Olympic Council and we will look to bank on the NSA's expertise when organising events to get the public involved in sports.
"It will take some time for us to start the events. However, we hope to get things running in a few months," he added.
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