I’ll do anything to defend my family, vows Norza

August 8, 2024

I’ll do anything to defend my family, vows Norza

PETALING JAYA: Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Norza Zakaria has hit back at his critics for their continued attacks on him and his family, stating that he will do “anything” to stand up for his family in the ongoing controversy about Olympic accreditation cards.

Norza’s family members were seen accompanying him at a badminton match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with netizens quick to point out that certain national shuttlers’ coaches and support staff were denied accreditation cards.

Although OCM has clarified that top officials are given accreditation cards which allow them to bring guests to the Olympics – which is separate from the accreditation granted to the Malaysian contingent, including coaches and support staff – Norza continues to face criticism for bringing his family to the French capital.

“This is unfair. I will do anything to defend my family,” Norza told FMT.

“I’m doing this work pro-bono, and what do I get in return? This kind of culture (of criticism) is embarrassing … Malaysia is only going to lose more people who volunteer to help out in sports.

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“My family has been following me to badminton events for many years, and I pay for all their expenses.”

A source close to the matter said it was unfair that certain quarters were still condemning Norza after OCM had clarified the matter, adding that it was common knowledge among the sporting fraternity that accreditation passes to major events, such as the Olympics, were not interchangeable.

The source also said Norza, who has led the Badminton Association of Malaysia since 2017, was not being fairly recognised for developing the sport in the country.

The badminton team won two bronze medals in Paris through Lee Zii Jia (men’s singles) and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men’s doubles), with Pearly Tan-M Thinaah qualifying for the semi-finals of the women’s doubles.

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Norza previously announced that he wanted to relinquish his BAM post in December 2023, and had even named investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz as his successor.

However, after being persuaded by youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh, he agreed to stay on for the Paris Olympics, which runs until Aug 11.

“I’ve been leading this association for seven years, but I’m stuck in this quagmire (controversy about accreditation cards),” said Norza.

“I helped the country to become the top-three, top-four (badminton nation) in the world. I hope the next president can improve Malaysian badminton further.”