by BERNAMA/ pic by BERNAMA

THE Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) is expecting more national athletes to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics before its qualifying deadline ends in July.

Its president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said a larger number of participants in the Games there would a better chance of winning medals, especially when Malaysia is still waiting for the country’s first Olympics gold medal.

“Usually, our representatives are around 20 to 30 athletes, if there are more athletes from badminton, hockey, cycling and others qualified, we will have a relatively large contingent. So, the chances of winning a medal are higher.

“If more athletes qualify, the chances to improve the medal tally are also better,” he told a press conference after chairing the OCM Executive Board meeting at Wisma OCM in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He also praised the success of national gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi (picture) as the latest athlete to qualify for Tokyo 2020 in the individual all-around event, after finishing in 16th place out of 20 participants during the qualifying session of the 2019 Gymnastics World Championship in Stuttgart, Germany.

The results saw the 25-year-old becoming the third Malaysian gymnast to qualify for the Olympics after Au Li Yen in Sydney 2000 and Ng Shu Wai in Athens 2004.

Other athletes who have qualified for Tokyo are Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy in the men’s laser sailing event, Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif (sailing — women’s radial laser) and Khairul Anuar Mohamad (archery — men’s recurve).

While in diving, four athletes have qualified for Tokyo Olympic and they are Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Wendy Ng Yan Yee (women’s 3m springboard), Pandelela Rinong Pamg (women’s 10m platform) and partner Leong Mun Yee in the women’s 10m platform synchronised.

The men’s hockey squad is now preparing to face a two-leg playoff against three-time gold medallist Great Britain in the final qualifying round at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre in London on Nov 2 and 3.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Malaysia sent 32 athletes and had their best performance at the Games, winning four silvers and a bronze medal, while the biggest participation was in the 1964 edition in Tokyo, but the national contingent came home empty-handed.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Norza, who is also the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president, confirmed that Michelle Chai, who assumed the post of OCM COO on Tuesday, has resigned as BAM’s GM.

“On the appointment of Chai’s successor at BAM, the matter will be discussed at the next BAM council meeting.

The restructuring of the positions at OCM can vary according to the need, where other countries have positions such as CEO, ED and others,” he said.

OCM has also appointed its secretary general Mohd Nazifuddin Najib as the chef-de-mission for the 2019 World Beach Games in Doha, Qatar from Oct 12-16.