Olympics Guest Accreditation Cards Not Funded By Govt Ocm

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The accreditation cards for guests of officials at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics were not funded by the government, according to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
The council stressed that the cards, approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), were not the same as those given to the Malaysian contingent, which included athletes, coaches, and support staff.
“The IOC allocates special accreditation cards to the youth and sports minister, the OCM president, the secretary-general, and their respective guests.
“This provision is separate from the allocation given to the contingent.
“The accreditation card (given) to the individuals is also subject to various limitations, especially access to match venues and the athletes’ village.
“Most importantly, it does not involve any government funding,” the OCM was quoted as saying by Harian Metro.
Special quota
Earlier, a photo purportedly showing OCM president Norza Zakaria’s wife and son watching the Olympics with their accreditation cards was circulated on social media, sparking questions by internet users.
The issue was linked to national badminton player Goh Jin Wei who had to compete in Paris without her coach Nova Armada, purportedly due to the limited number of accreditation cards issued by the IOC.
Goh competes as a professional badminton player but is not under the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
Nevertheless, Malaysian Badminton Academy coaching director Rexy Mainaky and the national men’s doubles coach Tan Bin Shen assisted Goh.
Goh Jin WeiNorza also explained that he has a special quota to bring his own guests to watch the Olympics, and stressed the quota had nothing to do with the accreditation cards for athletes participating in the event.
“As the president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and OCM, I am allocated a quota to bring my own guests.
“I have a special quota; nothing to do with the athletes,” he told Malaysiakini.
Self-funded trip
Last month, news portal Scoop reported that national men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia, who delivered the latest bronze, brought his entire team to assist him in Paris with all expenses covered by themselves.
This after Lee failed in his attempt to seek chef de mission Hamidin Mohd Amin’s help to obtain two additional accreditation cards for his physiotherapist and personal sparring partner to accompany him to the Games.
Lee Zii JiaAccording to the report, those who accompanied the nation’s top-ranked shuttler include his sister who is also his manager Lee Zii Yii, coach Wong Tat Meng, physiotherapist Rayvadee Rattanakthada, strength and conditioning coach Lim Joe Heang, and sparring partner Lee Shun Yang.
Only coach Wong stayed in the athletes' village with Zii Jia while the others stayed elsewhere, out of their own pockets. - Mkini

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