KUALA LUMPUR: The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) will request for the National Sports Council (NSC) to give a detailed explanation on how to make the best out of the RM100 million allocation ahead of the Sea Games in the Philippines.
This is because a total of 56 sports will be competed at the biennial Games next year.
Assuming that Malaysia will participate in at least 41 sports, it is still not clear as to how the funds would be spent as several National Sports Associations (NSAs) are not listed under the revamped Podium Programme.
After chairing the executive board meeting here on Monday, OCM President, Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria said: "After attending the Sea Games Federation (SEAGF) sports and rules meeting recently, our secretary general (Datuk Nazifuddin Najib) came back to brief us that a total of 56 sports will be competed at the Games next year.
"I have since requested for our secretary general to form a committee to look at the proposed sports. National interest must come first as well as that of the NSAs.
"Although there are 56 sports, some NSAs are not really pleased with the events. Take badminton for example, as the president of the BA of Malaysia (BAM) I was not happy when the initial plan only included the singles and team of three event.
"We also want to know how the NSC had come up with a target of 66 gold medals from their briefing with the NSAs recently.
"The NSC will be conducting a two-day workshop beginning tomorrow (Tuesday) and will be attended by our Sports Minister (Syed Sadiq Syed Abdul Rahman) and Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia (Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail).
"We will write to them (NSC) to send a top official to attend our council meeting this Saturday to brief us on the latest development," said Norza.
Among the notable sports not included in the revamped Podium Programme include netball, winter sports, silat and rugby.
Meanwhile, Norza also revealed that the Chef de Mission (CDM) for the Games next year will be announced at the council meeting.
"After discussing, we selected our CDM from the five names nominated. However, we will only announce the name on Saturday after the council's approval," added Norza.
Other matters that were discussed at the executive board meeting include the 16th OCM-Tan Sri Alex Lee Charity Golf event, which will be held on Wednesday at the Saunjana Golf and Country Club and the 25th OCM Annual Dinner and Awards Night which will take place next month.
OCM also endorsed Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz to continue being on the board of the Southeast Asia Regional Anti Doping Organisation (SEARADO) for the term 2019-2021.