OCM’s Olympic delegation not funded by govt, sports council maintains

 

The National Sports Council said it only covered the costs involving athletes, coaches, MSN officials, the National Sports Institute and the operations of the ‘Malaysia House’ at the Paris Games. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The National Sports Council (MSN) has reiterated that no government funds were used for the expenses of the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s (OCM) delegation to the Paris Olympics.

In a brief statement, the council said it only covered costs involving athletes, coaches, MSN officials, the National Sports Institute and the operations of the 

Malaysia House

 at the Paris Games.

The costs of the OCM delegation and their respective guests are footed by the OCM itself and the relevant parties. No government funds are involved,

 it said.

Social media users recently questioned the presence of OCM president Norza Zakaria’s wife and son, who were photographed sitting with him during the badminton men’s doubles play-off for the bronze medal.

In response, the OCM said top officials attending the Olympics were allowed to bring guests under special accreditation cards, which were a separate matter from the accreditation granted to the Malaysian contingent, including coaches and support staff.

These special accreditation cards were allocated to the OCM president and secretary-general, each with accompanying guests, it said.

Above all, it doesn’t involve any government funding,

 the OCM had said. - FMT