OCM chief defends family from online attacks, to leave BAM earlier

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Norza Zakaria has defended his family against online attacks based on a viral photograph of them at the Paris 2024 Olympics with special accreditation cards.

According to The Star, Norza (above), who is also Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president, said he was serving pro bono in both associations.

“I do not receive any salary or allowance from either organisation. I want to help bring glory and pride to our nation.

“This attack on my family is absolutely unnecessary and we do not need to go through such scrutiny,” he reportedly said.

The English-language daily also reported that Norza will hasten his exit from BAM because of the controversy.

Norza also reiterated that he had paid for his family's trip to the Paris Olympics.

“Seeing all these responses, my feeling right now, I am just going to say that I am resigning soon from BAM, which many people are aware of.

“I hope the next leader can improve the state of badminton affairs in our country,” he said.

The Star quoted BAM administrative director Michelle Chai, who defended Norza, saying all rules had been followed and that he should not be cyberbullied.

“IOC indeed gave accreditation to the NOC (National Olympic Committee) president and secretary-general. Each of them gets one accompanying guest and on the card, they will have the letters “NOC”.

“Just like athletes, officials should also not be cyberbullied. Please understand the issue before making comments. Even if we don’t like a person, it doesn’t mean everything he does is bad,” she was quoted as saying.

‘Personal quota’

On Monday, Norza told Malaysiakini that his wife and son, who were photographed sitting with him during the badminton men’s doubles bronze medal match, had been part of his “personal allocation” and did not come under the team accreditation quota given to each NOC member.

The issue was linked to national badminton player Goh Jin Wei who competed at the Olympics without being accompanied by her coach Nova Armada, due to the limited number of accreditation cards issued by IOC.

Goh is a professional badminton player and is not under BAM’s purview.

Malaysia earned two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in the men’s doubles and men’s single category.

Hold talks to prevent recurrence of athletes' problems, deputy minister says

Olympics: Guest accreditation cards not funded by govt - OCM

OCM chief: I've got my own quota for Olympic guests

Olympic Council veterans fume over 'RM30k a month' appointment