Prove OCM wrong, Category B athletes urged

KUALA LUMPUR: Athletes under Category B have been challenged to prove the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) wrong by performing above expectations in the Laos SEA Games.

Malaysia will be represented by 381 athletes in 22 sports in the Games and 178 of them are Category B athletes, who will get reimbursements for their expenses for the Games from the OCM if they emerge as silver medallists.

And if they do well, these athletes will be even considered for Category A (fully funded by the OCM) at the next Games.

The OCM secretary, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, said that athletes had been given a second chance to prove their worth in the biennial Games.

“I think, the OCM will be happiest to be proven wrong. This is their platform to rise to our challenge,” he said.

“These athletes have raised their own money, either through personal sponsors or through their national associations.

“And some have saved money since the last Games. Hopefully, something good will come out of their sacrifices.”

Of the sports under Category B, Kok Chi feels that the Under-23 football team have a realistic chance to get their hands on a medal.
Meanwhile, the waterpolo is the only sport to withdraw from the Laos Games after their failure to raise money to compete as Category B athletes. STAR