OCM CHIEF TO KEEP HIS PROMISE
Tunku Imran will step down from all his elected positions when he turns 70
FARAH AZHARIE farahazharie@nstp.com.my
AFTER announcing a new board will be elected by June, next year, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’far is ready to keep the promise he made to himself.
Tunku Imran will quit all his elected positions, including the OCM presidency when he turns 70 next March.
However, Tunku Imran is keeping mum about who he feels is best to take over OCM.
“I don’t think I can say that. I’d rather not. There are many people around and many on the board itself, many not on the board and obviously very capable of doing it,” he said.
On his intention to step down, Tunku Imran said: “There will be no changes because I’ve always said to myself when I get to 70, I will retire from all the elected positions I’m in and give way to the younger people,” said Tunku Imran, who is also the Sea Games Federation (SEAGF) president.
“By next year, I will have been president of OCM for 20 years and longer than most people should be there, but I know I have to get those who are quite young and active in. I’m happy with what we’ve achieved.”
Tunku Imran was present during yesterday’s cheque presentation for the 12th AmBank Group-SportExcel International Junior Championship at Glenmarie Golf and Country Club, Shah Alam.
Despite his intention to leave OCM, Tunku Imran insists he will not step down from his post as SportExcel’s chairman.
“I’m not retiring from SportExcel, because this has always been an area I would like to devote time to,” said Tunku Imran, who is also the Commonwealth Games Federation of Malaysia (CGAM) president.
“I look forward one day to see in the major sports such as tennis and golf, golf in particular, Malaysia’s name up there with great champions.”
Meanwhile, the AmBank Group announced their sponsorship of the AmBank Group-SportExcel International Junior Championship on Dec 4-7 at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.
The tournament will feature 60 junior golfers from Malaysia and 50 from Thailand, India, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, Philippines and Indonesia.
The player with the best overall gross score off the blue tee (boys) and white tee (girls), will receive a one-year scholarship at the Hills Golf Academy in Gold Coast, Australia next year. In addition, four players will be offered a onemonth Hills Golf Academy scholarships.