Hamidin appointed Malaysian Chef-De-Mission to Hanoi SEA Games

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said Hamidin's appointment was unanimously decided at the OCM executive board meeting today, on the recommendation of National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail.

"We need an experienced person with high leadership capability who knows the whole process of sports administration and selection of athletes, and can be hands-on in leading the national contingent.

"Although we regard the SEA Games as a friendly competition, we have been sending big contingents for the games. We feel that as the leader of a big organisation like FAM, he fits the bill," he told reporters after chairing the meeting at Wisma OCM here.

Mohamad Norza said the Selection Committee would meet national sports associations on March 18 and 19 to discuss the composition of athletes for the national contingent, in view that Malaysia would be sending a mixed team of juniors and seniors.

The Hanoi Games are scheduled for Nov 21 to Dec 2.

"We would like to find out if they have plans to expose the juniors. We also want to know the seniors they have, to identify the suitable ones," he said.

Mohamad Norza said the games organiser had yet to fix the number of events to be contested as some sports bodies were appealing for the inclusion of certain events.

OCM is expected to send the participation list according to sports by the end of this year and the list comprising athletes by May, he said.

Meanwhile, Hamidin said he would do his best to live up to the mandate given him as the chef de mission.

"The appointment is not only a big honour for me but also for FAM and the local football industry," he said in a statement.

"With the support of OCM, NSC and secretariat members, I am confident we can give strong support to every athlete in the national contingent to face the SEA Games," said Hamidin, the first FAM president appointed to the post.