THE Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has urged Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim to justify his allegation that the sports fraternity was plagued by elements of corruption.

OCM president Mohamad Norza Zakaria described the statement as uncalled for, unfair and prejudicial as various national sports bodies have succeeded in producing world champions in their respective sports throughout the decades.

“As the umbrella body of 57 national sports associations (NSAs), the OCM is deeply disappointed with Adam Adli’s statement which was not fully justified and not backed by evidence.

“Rightfully, Adam Adli should engage with stakeholders before coming up with a blanket statement that reflects (a) poor understanding of the existing structure,” he said in a statement today.

Norza pointed out that several NSAs have been recognised as model associations who observe the principle of best practices for good governance.

He said the same set of NSAs had helped raise the profile of sports in the country by producing world-class athletes in badminton, cycling, diving, bowling and silat.

“Although the NSAs are far from perfect and work within constraints, you cannot tar us with the same brush. Undoubtedly, there are weaknesses that need to be rectified but to claim that the sports fraternity is corrupt is prejudicial and immature,” said Norza, who is also president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Football Association of Malaysia president Hamidin Mohd Amin, in the same statement, said it would be good if the deputy minister had engaged with stakeholders before jumping to any conclusion.

Wushu Federation of Malaysia president Chong Kim Fatt concurred and expressed his disappointment with the statement which, he described, as populist in nature.

“The statement does not benefit anybody. It only serves to antagonise the NSAs who are supposedly the biggest stakeholders in the sporting fraternity. It is not fair for those who have worked hard and toiled night and day to bring success to their respective sports,” he said. – Bernama, December 13, 2022.