Khairy proposes former Olympians to become 2016 Olympic Games, 2017 SEA Games CDM

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has proposed that the contingent leader for the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games next year and the 2017 Sea Games be led by a former national Olympian.

He said former national athletes were more suitable to hold that position as they had a lot of experience and possessed good leadership qualities.

"I am suggesting to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) that in the coming games, we give a chance to a former national Olympian to become the chef-de-mission (CDM).

"In my opinion, the athlete has already built a name (for himself) and I believe he will become a capable sports administrator as he has a lot of experience as an athlete," he told reporters after attending a breaking-of-fast event with the Malaysian Sports Writers Association (SAM) at the Hilton Hotel, KL Sentral here tonight.

Khairy also said he would be tabling the paper on the sponsorship of the 2017 SEA Games' venue and events to be competed.

He said the target to become overall champions in the games which are held every two years was a heavy responsibility and the athletes must begin preparations from now.

"It is not an easy target as achieved by the national team in 2001 (when Kuala Lumpur was the host). At that time the national athletes had been practising through the Commonwealth programmes (Commonwealth Games) 1998. The foundation for success was laid early," he said.

Khairy also urged SAM to participate in the SEA Games Central Committee meetings to prepare as the 2017 host.