12 hours Ago By Ajitpal Singh
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Norza Zakaria will officially begin his third term as president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) tomorrow (April 19) — a clear show of trust in the man who has become one of the most influential figures in Malaysian sports.The vote of confidence is loud and clear — Malaysian sports still need his leadership.Unlike national sports associations (NSAs) that focus on athlete development and daily training, OCM's role is different.
It acts as a coordinating and governing body, working with associations, government agencies, and the Olympic movement to ensure Malaysia's athletes are represented on the world's biggest stage.Norza doesn't just talk — he delivers.His understanding of the complexities of international sports has brought Malaysia both visibility and respect.
As OCM president and a vice president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for Southeast Asia, he has become a key figure in building influence far beyond home shores — placing Malaysians in international roles and ensuring we have a seat at every important table. Throughout his tenure, Norza, who first assumed the OCM presidency in 2018, has focused on ensuring Malaysian athletes receive the best possible support during multi-sport events like the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.His ability to navigate the complex world of international sports governance has brought Malaysia both visibility and respect.
While his role doesn't include grassroots development or athlete training, Norza has always been vocal about improving the overall ecosystem — calling for stronger school sports programmes, improved facilities, and better management across sports associations. He doesn't run these programmes himself — that's the job of NSAs and the Youth and Sports Ministry — but he's helped steer the conversation in the right direction.And no one understands that machinery better than Norza.
A proven sports administrator, Norza also served as the BA of Malaysia (BAM) president before stepping down last year. His time at BAM was transformative. Under his watch, Malaysia celebrated their first-ever world title through men's doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, and the national setup saw better funding, upgraded infrastructure, and more consistent results.
When rising stars like Ng Tze Yong and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah made headlines, Norza's fingerprints were often behind the scenes — pushing for sports science, mental strength coaching, and merit-based selections.That same energy has carried over to OCM.
Of course, not every chapter is controversy-free. Leading into Paris 2024, murmurs swirled over athlete accreditation, involving eventual bronze medallist Lee Zii Jia and Goh Jin Wei.But the facts? OCM did respond.
Extra passes were applied for and secured for Zii Jia after proper requests. As for Jin Wei's coach Nova Armada, he opted out of Paris to focus on Cheah Liek Hou's Paralympic title defence.Some were also quick to criticise the presence of Norza's family in Paris.
But as clarified by OCM, Norza's position as president entitles him to a personal allocation of accreditation — separate from the team's quota. It's standard practice among National Olympic Committees worldwide and did not affect the athlete count or deny spots to coaches. Norza didn't flinch.
He kept operations tight, made sure athletes were supported, and remained a steady hand amid the noise.That's leadership — knowing when to explain and when to simply get the job done.His track record already shows he is capable.
Norza is not just respected in Malaysia but across Asia. Thirty-four NSAs, each with three delegates, will cast their votes at the OCM annual general assembly election for the 2025-2029 term. While Norza's presidency is uncontested, it's hoped his team will also be elected — giving him the mandate and machinery to carry forward his reform agenda without disruption.
Norza has earned a reputation as a doer, a connector and a forward-thinker. He's not stepping down, he's stepping up.Reform-minded, relentless, and laser-focused on Malaysia's sporting future, Norza 3.
0 is here.And the real work starts now.Ajitpal Singh is the Sports Editor of NST © New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
