KUALA LUMPUR: The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) today reiterated its stance on prioritising athletes for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Aug 5-21.
In brushing aside the Malaysian National Cycling Federation's (MNCF) attempts to spark controversy over accreditation for its appointed team manager for the Olympics, OCM president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar said nothing will change as far as the cycling squad's requests are concerned.
"Our stand is that we want the best for our athletes. We want them to be comfortable and get all the support they need during the Olympics. When we asked them, they told us who they wanted, so that is the person we provided accreditation to," said Tunku Imran.
MNCF president Datuk Abu Samah Wahab, via a local daily, had this week taken the OCM to task after accreditation that allows access to the Games Village for their appointed team manager for the cycling squad, Datuk Amarjit Singh, was denied.
The OCM, said Tunku Imran, had provided the last remaining slot for accreditation to the team's nutritionist Mohd Izham Mohamad, as requested by the track cycling squad which will feature Azizulhasni Awang and Fatehah Mustapa at the Olympics.
"We deliberated on this and when we asked the cycling team, they wanted him and we see no problem as raised by MNCF," said Tunku Imran.
"At the end of the day, it is the athletes who are going to compete for us, so we want them to have what's best for them to compete. If they determine that this is the support crew they want, then we will follow."
He said, nevertheless, the OCM's efforts will continue towards trying to secure extra accreditation for Amarjit, although he admitted chances remain slim.
"Either way, I don't foresee any issues with the team's operations during the Olympics. They have coaches who are well-versed with all that needs to be done and are also good enough to perform duties as team managers," said Tunku Imran.
"In any case, even if there are team managers' meetings which need to be attended, there are OCM or National Sports Council (NSC) support crew who can attend and gather all the required information.
"Team managers' meetings are usually just about that - information. I don't see any problem with that."
Azizulhasni, when contacted, regretted that the matter has been turned into a negative one, but reassured that the team's decision was based on what's best for them.
"I think our coach John Beasley has informed OCM from the beginning that we wanted Izham as team manager, as he has been working with the team throughout our preparations, so that was who we nominated, upon deliberation in a meeting with MNCF," said Azizulhasni.
"I didn't know about Amarjit being nominated as team manager by MNCF after that meeting, but I think such controversy is unnecessary."