27th National Olympic Academy Session for Young Olympic Ambassadors – Day 4

The final day of the 27th National Olympic Academy Session for Young Olympic Ambassadors on Friday, 8th May 2026, was a masterclass in sporting excellence, cultural immersion and the enduring bonds of friendship.

The morning session commenced with an inspiring visit to the PETRONAS Akademi Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara. The Young Olympic Ambassadors were warmly received by Datuk Subramaniam VERUTHASALAM, Assistant Treasurer of NOC Malaysia, Deputy President I of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and President of the Selangor Badminton Association. Also present to welcome the Young Olympic Ambassadors were Dato’ Kenny Chee Keong GOH (Secretary General of BAM), Mr. Mohd Taupik HUSSAIN (Assistant Secretary General of BAM) and Dr. Suresh KUMAR (Chief Operating Officer of the PETRONAS Akademi Badminton Malaysia).

The Young Olympic Ambassadors were treated to an exclusive tour of the high-performance facility, including visit to the Wall of Fame and the gymnasium before entering the main training hall. There, they were greeted by the legendary Mr. Rexy MAINAKY OLY, gold medallist in Badminton Men’s Doubles event at the XXVI Olympic Games Atlanta 1996 and Director of Coaching (Doubles) at the PETRONAS Akademi Badminton Malaysia.

In a moment that truly reflected the Olympic Values of Excellence, the Young Olympic Ambassadors engaged in a special meet-and-greet session with Malaysia’s Badminton icons, including Mr. Aaron Teng Fong CHIA OLY and Mr. Wooi Yik SOH OLY, the 2022 Men’s Doubles World Champions and two-time Olympic Games Bronze Medallists, alongside Malaysia’s No. 1 Women’s Doubles pair, Ms. Pearly Koong Le TAN OLY and Ms. Thinaah MURALITHARAN OLY. The Young Olympic Ambassadors took the opportunity to have their Yonex Badminton racquet bags, sponsored by Sunrise Sports Sdn Bhd, signed by the icons before taking to the courts for a friendly Badminton session with the national junior players.

The visit concluded with Ms. Moira Siew See TAN, Assistant Secretary General of NOC Malaysia, presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to the Badminton Association of Malaysia, which was received on behalf by Datuk Subramaniam VERUTHASALAM.

In the afternoon, the Young Olympic Ambassadors enjoyed a quintessential Malaysian experience at DKing in SS2, Petaling Jaya, where they sampled the famous Musang King Durian. For many of the international ambassadors, this was a thrilling introduction to the “King of Fruits”, complete with a professional explanation by Mr. Willy LOO, the Event and Public Relations Manager of DKing, on how to identify and select the highest quality Musang King durians. They were also invited by Mr. Simon CHIN, the Founder and Managing Director of DKing, to have a group photograph in front of the Giant Musang King Durian sculpture, which is recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the largest Musang King durian sculpture in Malaysia.

The grand finale of the programme was the International Cultural Night and Closing Ceremony held at WestPoint 1 & 2, Level 8, Sunway Lagoon Hotel. The evening was graced by distinguished guests, namely Mahaguru Dato’ (Dr.) Kim Fatt CHONG (Vice President of NOC Malaysia), Datuk Mohd Nasir ALI (Secretary General of NOC Malaysia), Ms. Moira Siew See TAN (Assistant Secretary General of NOC Malaysia), Mr. Ahmad Arif ASTAMAN (Assistant Secretary General of NOC Malaysia), Sr. Alexander NATUSCH JP (Director of the President’s Office of the Sunway Group of Companies) and Mr. Wan Hor FONG (Chief Executive Officer of NOC Malaysia).

The evening began with a dinner and a nostalgic video presentation recapping the week’s journey, from the visit to MILO Malaysia and Batu Caves on Day 1, to the National Sports Institute and PTERONAS Twin Towers on Day 2, the Sunway Challenge Team Building Exercise at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park on Day 3 and the visit to PETRONAS Akademi Badminton Malaysia and Musang King durians tasting on Day 4.

NOC Malaysia also took the opportunity to celebrate the birthdays of five Young Olympic Ambassadors born in the month of May, namely Mr. Muhammad Faizal AHMAD ASRI, Ms. Victoria Jia Yi NG (whose birthday fell on that very day), Mr. Jolanio GUTERRES, Ms. Irdina Batrisyia MOHAMMAD RIDZUAN and Mr. Mingda YAO.

The highlight of the evening featured the 38 Young Olympic Ambassadors representing 13 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and 12 National Sports Associations (NSAs) in Malaysia performing cultural showcases in their respective colour groups. The performances beautifully reflected the Olympic Values of Excellence, Respect and Friendship that had been championed throughout the week.

Following the performances, Mr. Mingda YAO from NOC China delivered a speech on behalf of the foreign ambassadors.

“Thank you so much NOC Malaysia for your thoughtful arrangements and excellent hospitality. Because of you, we have spent such a wonderful, meaningful and unforgettable time here in Malaysia”.

“Throughout the programme, we have learned a lot, broadened our horizons and gained a deeper understanding of NOC Malaysia as well as this beautiful country, Malaysia”.

“Most importantly, we have developed a deeper appreciation of the Olympic spirit and realised how valuable and important young people are to the future of the Olympic Movement. Honestly, you have done an amazing job. Thank you very much!” said Mr. Mingda YAO.

Ms. Ashwini Thewar ARULNATHAN from the Malaysia Volleyball Association then shared the perspective of the local ambassadors.

“The experiences gained over the past four days have truly been an eye-opener for many of us. Beyond our own local circles, it has been a privilege to act as hosts to our foreign friends”.

“It has also been a great pleasure to stay at the Sunway Lagoon Hotel here in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur. We have thoroughly enjoyed the five-star hospitality and excellent facilities provided throughout the session” said Ms. Ashwini Thewar ARULNATHAN.

Mr. Ahmad Arif ASTAMAN, Assistant Secretary General of NOC Malaysia, then delivered the Closing Address on behalf of Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr.) Mohamad Norza Zakaria, President of NOC Malaysia, President of the South East Asian Games Federation and Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia.

“When I look around this room, I see more than 38 Young Olympic Ambassadors. I see the future of the Asian Olympic Movement. I truly hope all of you have had an enriching experience exploring the heart of Malaysian sport while embracing the Olympic Values of Excellence, Respect and Friendship”.

“To our Young Olympic Ambassadors, as you return to your respective organisations, carry the Olympic Motto with pride in discharging your duties and responsibilities within your respective Olympic Sports Organisations”.

“I quote Mr. Thomas Bach, the IOC Honorary President, who said May the Olympic Movement encourage you to go Faster, to aim Higher, to become Stronger and Together we can do it better” said Mr. Ahmad Arif ASTAMAN.

Before the conclusion of the evening, special prizes were awarded by Mr. Wan Hor FONG, Chief Executive Officer of NOC Malaysia, to five Young Olympic Ambassadors who best demonstrated the Olympic Values throughout the programme, namely Mr. Mingda YAO, Mr. Muhammad Hafiz Zhafri ABDUL HARIF, Mr. Wanung JEONG, Mr. Sarveen RAJENDRAN and Mr. Muhammad Haikal ODIN.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of Certificates of Participation to all 38 Young Olympic Ambassadors by the distinguished guests in the following sequence: Ms. Moira Siew See TAN for the Blue Group, Mahaguru Dato’ (Dr.) Kim Fatt CHONG for the Yellow Group, Datuk Mohd Nasir ALI for the Black Group, Mr. Ahmad Arif ASTAMAN for the Green Group and Sr. Alexander NATUSCH JP for the Red Group.

As a final symbol of the continued growth of the Olympic Movement in Malaysia, the Young Olympic Ambassadors were presented with a commemorative souvenir from the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Olympic House, the new headquarters of NOC Malaysia in Bukit Jalil, which was officiated by the Right Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, on 7th August 2025.

The evening concluded with a heartfelt farewell, marking a successful and memorable conclusion to the journey as the Young Olympic Ambassadors.