'Khairy must fight for his place in SEA Games polo squad just like other players'

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) deputy president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria said selection would be based on merit and all players would have to undergo the same trials before being chosen.

"They (players) including Khairy Jamauluddin must undergo training and the selection process according to the phases set by the National Sports Council (NSC). There will be no special privileges for anyone," he told reporters after the investiture ceremony in conjunction with the Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah's Birthday at Istana Abu Bakar, today.

Mohamad Norza received the Darjah Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP) which carries the title Datuk Seri from the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Mohamad Norza hoped if Khairy was among those selected for the National Polo squad, he and the players would work hard to retain the gold medal that was won at the 2007 Korat SEA Games in Thailand, the last time Polo was included in the programme of the games.

"We won the gold medal in the Korat SEA games and as the host next year, we decided to include Polo and I believe Malaysia will remain the strongest Polo playing team in South East Asia.

Khairy is among 12 players listed by the Royal Malaysian Polo Association to undergo training for the SEA Games next year and if selected, Khairy would create history by becoming the first minister to participate in the SEA Games as a player.