Dr. Norza ZAKARIA, President of the NOC Malaysia and Vice President of the OCA, welcomes a courtesy visit from the International Woodball Federation (IWbF) on Monday, 23rd December 2024, in Kuala Lumpur.
The IWbF delegation, comprising 8 members and led by its President, included the following individuals:
1. Mr. Sean WENG Chi-Hsiang (TPE) – President
2. Dr. Patanachart KRIDIBORWORN (THA) – Vice President
3. Mdm. Elaine TAN Mee Hoi (MAS) – Vice President
4. Ms. NG Lai Ling (HKG) – President of Woodball Association of Hong Kong China
5. Dr. CHONG Tien Siong (SGP) – President of Singapore Woodball Association
6. Ms. Yuli TEO (SGP) – Vice President of Singapore Woodball Association
7. Mr. Muhamad Azan YAAKOB (MAS) – Deputy President of Malaysia Woodball Association
8. Mr. Fendi JOHNATHAN (INA) – Secretary General of Indonesia Woodball Association
During the courtesy visit, Mr. Sean WENG Chi-Hsiang provided Dr. Norza ZAKARIA with a brief history of the development of Woodball in the Asia. He highlighted that the sport has been officially recognized by the OCA since 1999 and and has been featured in all the Asian Beach Games, under the jurisdiction of OCA, since its inception in 2008, starting with Bali 2008, followed by Muscat 2010, Haiyang 2012, Phuket 2014 and Danang 2016.
“We seek the support of OCA Vice President Dr. Norza ZAKARIA for Woodball to be elevated into the sports programme of the Asian Games in the future” stated Mr. Sean Weng Chi-Hsiang, President of IWbF.
Dr. Norza ZAKARIA, who also serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the South East Asian Games Federation (SEAGF), took the opportunity to confirm with the IWbF delegation that during the 2nd SEAGF Council Meeting on Friday, 25th October 2024, Woodball was officially listed as an official sport for the South East Asian Games (SEA Games) for the first time in history.
Dr. Norza ZAKARIA further elaborated that six (6) initial Woodball events were proposed by NOC Thailand for the 33rd SEA Games Thailand 2025 as follows:
1. Men’s Stroke Competition Singles
2. Men’s Stroke Competition Team
3. Men’s Fairway Competition Singles
4. Women’s Stroke Competition Singles
5. Women’s Stroke Competition Team
6. Women’s Fairway Competition Singles
“However, during the 2nd SEAGF Office and SEAGF Executive Committee Meeting on Saturday, 21st December 2024, NOC Thailand replaced the Men’s and Women’s Fairway Competition Singles events with Match Play Team events for both genders” explained Dr. Norza ZAKARIA.
On behalf of the IWbF, Mr. Sean WENG Chi-Hsiang expressed hope that Woodball would continue to feature in the sports programmes of the upcoming SEA Games, particularly the 34th SEA Games, which NOC Malaysia will host in 2027.
Mdm. Tan Mee Hoi, President of the Malaysia Woodball Association and Vice President of IWbF, highlighted the rapid development of Woodball in Malaysia, with increased participation across all age groups. In addition to establishing the Woodball Circuit Competitions at the national level, the Malaysia Woodball Association has also hosted numerous international competitions, such as the annual Malaysia Open International Woodball Championships, the 4th World University Woodball Championships in 2014 and the 9th World Cup Woodball Championships in 2020.
“We acknowledge the tremendous efforts of the Malaysia Woodball Association in promoting Woodball across Malaysia, particularly in the State of Perlis, under the Royal Patronage of HRH Raja Muda Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail”,
“Over the pass 2 decades, Woodball has made significant contribution to the 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 by fostering the 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 of 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 and 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 through its unique appeal and inclusivity”,
“We are confident that under the capable leadership of IWbF President Mr. Sean WENG, Woodball will continue to grow and establish itself as an integral part of the 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 at the global, continental and regional levels” concluded by Dr. Norza ZAKARIA, President of NOC Malaysia and Vice President of OCA.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA (right) presenting a token of appreciation to Mr. Sean WENG Chi-Hsiang, President of IWbF, who is also the President of Woodball Association of Chinese Taipei.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA (right) presenting a token of appreciation to Dr. Patanachart KRIDIBOWORN, Vice President of IWbF, who is also the President of Woodball Association of Thailand.
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- Dr. Norza ZAKARIA (right) presenting a token of appreciation to Mdm. Elaine TAN Mee Hoi, Vice President of IWbF, who is also the President of Woodball Association of Malaysia.
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- Group photograph of the IWbF delegation with Dr. Norza ZAKARIA, featuring the iconic “Woodball” hand gesture 👌🏻 L-R: Ms. Yuli TEO (SGP), Dr. CHONG Tien Siong (SGP), Ms. NG Lai Ling (HKG), Mdm. Elaine TAN Mee Hoi (MAS), Mr. Sean WENG Chi-Hsiang (TPE), Dr. Norza ZAKARIA (MAS), Dr. Patanachart KRIDIBORWORN (THA), Mr. Muhamad Azan YAAKOB (MAS) and Mr. Fendi JOHNATHAN (INA)
Photo Credit: Wan Hor FONG
