Datuk Seri Zolkples EmbongSEPANG,
Aug 5 (Bernama) -- In a bid to avoid history repeating itself, the
National Sports Council (NSC) wants more power to determine the list of
athletes for the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea next month.
NSC director-general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong said a discussion will
be held with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) soon to ensure the
quality and competitiveness of all athletes taking part in the Asian
Games.
He said the OCM selection committee has been asked to thoroughly
evaluate athletes and teams listed for big sporting events so that there
would be no 'passengers' in the national contingent.
"I am always firm but I'm hoping that my voice is accepted after this.
I've held talks with Tan Sri Tunku Imran (Tuanku Jaafar), Datuk Low Beng
Choo (OCM Vice-President) and Datuk Sieh Kok Chi (OCM
Secretary-General) on this matter and they seem to accept the reasons
given.
"So, I hope something can be done before going to Incheon. What's
important is we don't need passengers in the contingent," he told
reporters at the KL International Airport (KLIA), here, upon his arrival
from Glasgow, Scotland.
Admitting that the seven-medal target at the 2014 Commonwealth Games was
not achieved, he said not only athletes but also several sports should
not have been considered for high level competitions like the
Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
"The decision will be made by the OCM and I am also in the selection
committee. I will ensure that we (NSC) give views based on an athlete's
actual performance.
"We will definitely take into account the performance in Glasgow for those who will compete in the Asian Games," he said.
However, Zolkples remains satisfied with the performance and achievement
of athletes in Glasgow, especially those men's 3m springboard diver Ooi
Tze Liang and women's doubles pair Vivian Kah Mun Hoo/Khe Wei Woon who
won gold medals.
Besides that, he was also happy with the performance of diver Pandelela
Rinong and gymnast Wong Poh San, who won silver, but had made efforts
worthy of gold medals.
"In terms of target, we failed but at the same time we won seven silver
medals and some them were as good as gold medals. Unfortunately,
subjective sports like this can favour any athlete and we know that it
is not a reason," he said.
Meanwhile, Zolkples hoped athletes who competed in the Commonwealth
Games would maintain their performance or do better in Incheon.
He also hoped sports that were not part of the Commonwealth Games such
as tenpin bowling, karate and wushu would contribute medals in the Asian
Games.