PM hopes new OCM HQ will spur country to win first Olympic gold
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants Malaysia to come home with at least one gold medal from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) headquarters in Bukit Jalil, Anwar said he hopes the development of the new facility will spur the country to get its first Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles.
Anwar said the government has been supporting sports in the country through efforts from Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, as well as OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria.
"I think the government, through the Youth and Sports Ministry, has been very proactive and supportive. You have a good minister who has been harassing me for more money and more funds
"With Hannah and Norza, everyone is now waiting and we expect one gold medal at least, otherwise they'll be in trouble," said Anwar in jest at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Anwar added that the new headquarters comes as a need to provide the 58 National Sports Associations (NSA) a place to gather and share knowledge to further enhance sports performance.
Expected to cost RM103mil in total, the new Olympic House will be constructed in Bukit Jalil within the Kuala Lumpur Sports City, with the new building located next to the National Hockey Stadium.
Norza had previously said that the main building is targeted to be done before the 2027 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games, but Anwar hopes the project can be completed ahead of its intended schedule.
Meanwhile, Anwar also stressed the importance of sportsmanship, stressing that there is no room for hooliganism in sports at any level, particularly in football.
"As I always tell my grandchildren in any sports they are involved in, especially when they get upset, that it's not the spirit.
"You must try and excel to win, but must accept the fact that the best athlete will win and that's the spirit of sportsmanship.
"That is why we take any issue of hooliganism or violence in sports seriously, particularly in football in this country. Everyone supports their team or their state, but that does not allow them to create chaos," he said.
The new Olympic House is inspired by the one in Lausanne, Switzerland, and will replace OCM's current base at Jalan Hang Jebat.
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