Azim appointed CDM for Asian Games
DATUK Seri Abdul Azim Zabidi has been appointed as the Chef de Mission (CDM) to lead the Malaysian contingent to Indonesia for the 18th Asian Games in August next year.
This was announced by Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar after an executive board meeting, yesterday.
Azim is a former Malaysian Malays Cricket Association deputy president and a member of the sports advisory panel for the Sports Ministry .
Tunku Imran said the main factor behind Azim’s appointment is because he is on the panel.
“He is certainly committed not just to being the CDM but also in working with us and National Sports Associations.”
OCM vice president Senator Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Tan Sri Omardin was appointed as the deputy CDM.
Meanwhile, the 2018 Asian Games will see its events cut down to 39 sports from the initial 46, with 53 disciplines in a total of 426 events, making it the largest Asian Games.
The decision came after a meeting between Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah and Indonesia vice president and Jakarta-Palembang Steering Committee (INASGOC) president Muhammad Jusuf Kalla.
This is to reduce the burden for the host nation and make the games manageable.
“It’s a huge cut and among those that have been cut are cricket, skateboarding, sambo (martial arts) and surfing.
“It will still be the biggest Asian Games ever but it will be more manageable for everyone.”
Two other sports that were omitted were kurash (martial arts) and belt wrestling as well as reduced competitions in jujitsu, jet ski, sport climbing, paragliding, bridge and wushu.
However, Tunku Imran assured that the sports which Malaysia are strong in such as badminton and squash remain in contention.
The 18th Asian Games will take place in two venues — Jakarta and Palembang, on Aug 18-Sept 2, 2018. Farah Azharie