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.
OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria disclosed that a one-month window from April 8 to May 8 was provided for the appeal process in accordance with the SEAGF charter and rules.
This includes Rule 34, which governs the selection and approval of the sports programme for the biennial Games.
Norza, who is also SEAGF president, was reacting to Indonesia’s criticism of the Malaysia SEA Games. They are unhappy that eight of their favoured sports have been omitted.
Indonesia’s Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir said he has written to Youth and Sports Minister Dr Taufiq Johari, seeking an explanation.
Norza said he respects Erick’s views but stressed that the proper procedures have already been followed.
“I respect Erick’s views though we have to be aware that this (selection of sports) was made collectively by 11 nations,” said Norza.
“After we presented 38 sports in April, we urged all nations involved to submit appeals for the sports they wanted. A month was given (to submit appeals).
“After the appeals were received, we conducted meetings in a very systematic manner.
“It was brought to the (SEAGF) Rules and Sports Committee, which was attended by all 11 nations.
“The decision made by the committee was then brought to the SEAGF exco and subsequently the council members, which is made up of (national olympic council) presidents from all 11 countries, chaired by myself.
“After great deliberation, we decided to add five sports, taking the total number of sports up to 43.
“So as I said earlier, appeals were made from April to May. It is now November.”
As of May 8, SEAGF had received appeals for the inclusion of 29 sports from various NOC and national sports associations.
From the 29, five sports – kabaddi, dance sport, teqball, padel, ice hockey – and two disciplines – chinlone (under sepak takraw) and polo (under equestrian) were accepted via the appeal process.
This was endorsed by the SEAGF council on July 17.
The final list of 473 events across the 43 sports were approved during the SEAGF executive committee meeting on October 30.
Norza was speaking after the 217th OCM executive council meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.