KUALA LUMPUR: Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president, Tan Sri Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar sees his deputy, Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria as the best candidate to replace him as president after he decided not to stand for reelection next June.
“I am very sure that he (Norza) will be a the best choice for president, but for an organisation such as this, it is not up to me to appoint anyone as there is an electoral process in place to determine who will lead OCM.
“We need to let the democratic process happen to determine such matters of who leads OCM in the future,” he said after chairing the executive council meeting at Wisma OCM here today.
Tunku Imran said he respects the democratic process practiced in sport and the coming election must be respected and allowed to run its course as it is scheduled to take place during the annual general meeting on June 30th next year.
Tunku Imran who has held the post of OCM president for close to 20 years, said that Norza has performed excellently in his capacity as deputy president and possesses vast experience in sports management while displaying good leadership skills and qualities.
Apart from being president of the BA of Malaysia (BAM), Tunku Imran said Norza’s leadership has also shone at international level and he is now slowly but surely being recognised internationally.
Before this, Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin also expressed his confidence and support in Norza to lead OCM in the future.
During the last OCM election, Tunku Imran had already stated that he will not seek reelection for another term as president, because he wants to make way for those who are younger to take the lead instead.
When met recently, Norza expressed gratitude for Tunku Imran and Khairy’s views and words of support, saying that he is fully aware of the huge responsibility to be shouldered as president of OCM.
“The election will only take place next year, so for now my focus is on fulfilling my duties and responsibilities as OCM deputy president and BAM president.
"Let the delegates determine my fate during the coming election," he said.
Translated from Berita Harian