Indonesia had ample time to appeal SEA Games sports selection, says OCM
KUALA LUMPUR: The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) stressed that all Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) member nations were given ample opportunity earlier this year to appeal for their favoured sports ahead of the Malaysia SEA Games, which will be held next year.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) claims all Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) member nations were given sufficient time in the past year to appeal for their preferred sports prior to the upcoming Malaysia SEA Games. OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria revealed a one-month window from April 8 to May 8 was allocated for the appeal procedure, as per the SEAGF charter and regulations.
The rule governing sports selection and approval for the biennial Games is Rule 34. Norza, who is also SEAGF president, addressed Indonesia's discontent over the exclusion of eight of their preferred sports. Indonesia's Youth and Sports Minister, Erick Thohir, has communicated his concerns to Dr Taufiq Johari, the Malaysian counterpart, requesting clarification.
Norza acknowledged respecting Erick's perspective but emphasized that the proper protocols had been adhered to. He reiterated that the sports selection was a collective decision made by the 11 member nations. Following the presentation of 38 sports in April, SEAGF urged all nations to submit appeals for their desired sports within a month.
After receiving the appeals, meetings were held in a structured manner, ultimately reaching the SEAGF Rules and Sports Committee, attended by all 11 nations. The committee's decision was then conveyed to the SEAGF executive committee and, subsequently, to the SEAGF council, chaired by Norza. After deliberation, five sports were added, bringing the total to 43.
Thus far, SEAGF has received appeals for 29 sports from various NOCs and national sports associations. Out of these, five sports - kabaddi, dance sport, teqball, padel, and ice hockey - along with two disciplines - chinlone (under sepak takraw) and polo (under equestrian) - were accepted through the appeal process, endorsed by the SEAGF council on July 17.
The final list of 473 events across the 43 sports was approved during the SEAGF executive committee meeting on October 30. Norza made these remarks after the 217th OCM executive council meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
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