The name of the new National Sports Council (NSC) director-general is expected to be announced by the Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Dec 18.

Khairy said he would make a decision on the right candidate by Wednesday and inform Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak before making the announcement after notifying the NSC board.

"Meaning, I will notify the NSC Board members before naming the candidate for the post," he said after presenting prizes to the winners of 'The Rembau Challenge 2014' here Sunday.

Khairy said eight candidates have been shortlisted for the final interview tomorrow and Tuesday.

The decision to replace former NSC director-general Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong was made after a spate of poor results by the Malaysian contingent, especially in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland and Incheon Asian Games in South Korea.