Dr. Norza ZAKARIA Presented His Inaugural Report as OCA Vice President for Southeast Asia at the 45th OCA General Assembly

The OCA convened its 45th General Assembly on 11th and 12th May 2025 in Kuwait.

The Opening Ceremony, held on 11th May 2025 at the prestigious Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre, was a vibrant and captivating celebration featuring a series of colourful cultural and musical performances that beautifully showcased the rich heritage and diversity of the Asian communities from all 5 zones.

The Opening Ceremony was graced by several distinguished guests and dignitaries, including:
1. The Hon. Mr. Timothy FOK – OCA Senior Vice President
2. H.H. Sheikh Fahad Nasser AL SABAH – President of NOC Kuwait
3. Dr. Thomas BACH – IOC President
4. Mr. Mutaz Essa BARSHIM OLY – Olympic Gold Medallist in High Jump
5. Mr. YAO Ming OLY – Renowned Basketball Legend

The proceedings of the 45th OCA General Assembly, held on Monday, 12th May 2025, were chaired by the OCA Senior Vice President, The Hon. Mr. Timothy FOK from Hong Kong, China. Day two of the 45th OCA General Assembly was graced by the presence of IOC President-elect, Mr. Kirsty COVENTRY OLY, who delivered her first keynote address to the Olympic family in Asia.

During the session, Dr. Norza ZAKARIA, who was duly elected unopposed as the OCA Vice President for Southeast Asia Zone at the 44th OCA General Assembly held on Sunday, 8th September 2024 in Delhi, India, delivered his inaugural report. His presentation was comprehensive and well-researched, offering analytical insights and detailed observations on the progress and prospects of the Olympic Movement within the Southeast Asia region.

The report by Dr. Norza ZAKARIA covered the NOC Governance, Asian Winter Games Participation, OCA Programmes Hosted by Southeast Asian NOCs, Regional Forum, Asian Games Fun Run and Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

“I took the opportunity to highlight the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, a regional sporting event proudly initiated by the NOCs of Southeast Asia 66 years ago, in 1959” stated Dr. Norza ZAKARIA.

“The SEA Games, held biennially, is a unique Multi-Sport Games that stands apart from all others in the world, as it does not involve a formal bidding process. Instead, the honour of hosting is rotated among the Southeast Asian NOCs, reflecting the spirit of solidarity, unity, cooperation and mutual respect within the region” he added.

Dr. Norza ZAKARIA concluded his presentation by expressing his sincere gratitude and appreciation for the trust and support extended to him by the OCA President, H.E. Raja Randhir SINGH and the OCA Director General, Captain Husain AL-MUSALLAM.

He also conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the Presidents and Secretaries General of all 11 NOCs in Southeast Asia for their unwavering cooperation and support, which have enabled him to fulfil his duties and responsibilities as the OCA Vice President for Southeast Asia effectively and efficiently.

lastly, he extended his warmest and heartiest congratulations to Mrs. Kirsty COVENTRY OLY on her historic election as the new IOC President during the 144th IOC Session on Thursday, 20th March 2025, marking a momentous milestone in the history of the Olympic Movement.