KUALA LUMPUR – Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria remains optimistic that weightlifting will be reinstated for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.
This optimism persists despite the sports’s initial exclusion during the recent Southeast Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) executive committee meeting in Bangkok.
According to Norza, the main reason for weightlifting’s absence from the initial list of sports for the next SEA Games was Thailand’s ongoing challenges with chronic doping issues in the sport.
Malaysia has faced similar challenges in the past, notably during the 2022 Sukma.
Back then, the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation had decided to disassociate from the National Sports Council in managing weightlifting events due to doping issues.
Previously, the national team were also disbanded following doping cases involving Malaysian weightlifters.
Despite these issues, Norza is hopeful about reinstating weightlifting for the SEA Games, considering it falls under Category 1B, which includes sports of Olympic calibre.
Furthermore, other nations align with Malaysia’s position on reinstating weightlifting in the 2025 SEA Games.
“When it comes to Thailand, what are they currently dealing with? The doping issue. They need to address this internally first,” said Norza.
“Weightlifting is a significant Olympic sport and is requested by all the other countries.
“So, I think it will be considered positively, but let’s wait for the process.”
In addition to weightlifting, four other sports with potential for contributing gold medals for Malaysia – karate, jiu-jitsu, wushu and lawn bowls – are also not listed for the 2025 SEA Games.
However, the appeal process is ongoing, with a deadline set for August 31.
The OCM will advocate for the inclusion of these sports to ensure they are part of the 2025 SEA Games.
“All these appeals will be gathered and discussed by the host country Thailand, and they may also consider adding more types of sports. All of this will impact their budget and sports facilities.
“Every time we attend SEAGF meetings, we must respect the host. It’s the same when we host.
“I know many have called and expressed concern that we may lose six gold medals, but understand that this is a process and it is not as simple as requesting what we want at a night market.
“First, the country’s Olympic council must lobby. Second, it must come from the sports federation and gain support from the rest of the Asean countries,” Norza added.
As host, Thailand has approximately 15 months before the SEA Games commence in December next year to finalise the sports that will be contested.
Based on the preliminary list, 40 sports have been included, along with two demonstration sports – flying disc and tug of war. – June 21, 2024