'Norza should show proof of his family's expenses’ - Sports analysts

SHAH ALAM - Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria should provide proof that he personally covered his family's expenses in Paris, allowing the public to verify his claim and scrutinise the use of taxpayer money.

To restore public trust and ensure transparency, it is crucial for Norza to provide clear evidence of this claim, allowing for a thorough examination of how taxpayer money was utilised.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman's academician and sports analyst Afi Rozhesry said that he personally believe Norza's decision to resign immediately from his position as President of Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) might not have been the wisest move.

“His abrupt departure amid recent controversies only fuels further speculation about the reasons behind his sudden resignation. Additionally, his decision to resign only from his role as BAM President but not from his position as the OCM president raises further speculation and controversy.

“If he felt he had done nothing wrong, why resign at all? As a former politician familiar with Malaysia’s norms and culture, he should have anticipated and addressed public criticism professionally.

“Instead, his partial resignation seems to have only intensified speculation rather than resolving the issue. With all due respect to him, I think this reflects a lack of professionalism in his approach,” he told Sinar Daily.

Afi also said that he did not want to speculate on the validity of Norza’s claims about a ‘special quota’ or his family’s accreditation, as that was a matter between him and God.

“However, in today’s climate of heightened scrutiny and demand for transparency, if Norza asserts that he personally funded his family’s expenses in Paris rather than using OCM’s or BAM’s resources, he should provide proof of this.

“Demonstrating that he used his own funds would substantiate his claims and allow the public to assess the truth of his statements,” Afi said.

He also said that Malaysians today are increasingly vocal and critical, expecting integrity and ethics from those in positions of power.

“While it is good that people are speaking out, resorting to harsh and vulgar language online does not reflect our cultural values. If we expect others to act ethically, we must uphold the same standards in our own behaviour.

“While the public’s reaction to this issue is understandable, it is important to remain respectful and use appropriate language,” he said.

Meanwhile, seasoned journalist Graig Nunis said that it would not make a difference whether Norza steps down as BAM President now or after the Olympics, as he had already appointed Datuk V. Subramaniam as the acting president, effective Aug 24 when the BAM council meets.

Graig also said that Norza is already under scrutiny, so his departure from OCM as President would not change much either, though it might please some of his critics.

“Taking his family to the Olympics is not inherently wrong, especially since the ‘guest passes’ do not grant access to the athletes and such practices are common among top Olympic officials from other countries.

“However, if OCM covered his wife and child’s travel and accommodation costs with taxpayer money, that would be unethical. The real issue is the prevailing trust deficit in sports and politics, which complicates understanding of the situation.

“Those in public office should anticipate criticism and scrutiny, as the public has every right to question how taxpayer money is spent,” he said.

Nunis also said that numerous failures by OCM, the Youth and Sports Minister and national associations highlighted this issue.

“For example, despite investing hundreds of millions since the Tokyo Games, only 26 athletes qualified for the Paris Olympics, what went wrong?

“The use of guest passes should be a minor concern compared to these larger issues, though that does not mean the public must condone it. Unfortunately, this is often the norm within organisations, even the likes of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

“Plus, if Norza were to step down as OCM president, finding a suitable successor would be a significant challenge. His deputy, Datuk Hamidin Amin, has been ineffective as FAM president, and the five vice presidents currently do not seem fit for the role.

“The system is plagued with familiar faces, and a fresh approach, including new leadership in national sports associations, is needed,” he said.

On Aug 7, Norza announced he would step down from his position as President of BAM amid intense scrutiny and controversy surrounding Malaysia's badminton team at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

This follows criticism over the handling of athlete accreditation, particularly regarding the presence of his family at the Games while athletes like Lee Zii Jia and Goh Jin Wei faced significant support challenges.

Additionally, while Norza claimed that he personally covered his family's expenses in Paris, many netizens have expressed scepticism and are demanding proof to verify his assertion.

The controversy intensified with public dissatisfaction over the allocation of accreditation passes, leading to accusations of political insensitivity and calls for better athlete support management.