The OCM has described the study visit by the Delegation of Road to Gold (RTG) Committee to Nippon Sports Science University (NITTAIDAI) in Tokyo and Yokohama over the weekend as successful in helping Malaysia produce a template for a gold in the Olympic Games.
Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr.) Mohamad Norza Zakaria, the President of OCM, who was a member of the Malaysian delegation headed by Y.B. Hannah Yeoh, Minister of Youth and Sports, said the visit provided the decision-makers and implementors an opportunity to study Japan’s support system and technological advances in producing world-class athletes over the decades.
As Co-Chair of the Road to Gold (RTG) Committee established to offer the best support system for medal prospects in the upcoming XXXIII Olympic Games Paris 2024, Tan Sri Dr. Norza said the NITTAIDAI was prepared to share their expertise and cooperation in enhancing Malaysian sports’ ecosystem and a template for success.
“With a reputation of having been founded 130 years ago and a significant player in high-performance sports in Japan, the NITTAIDAI has produced 137 Olympic and Paralympic medallists, which accounted for 25% from the total medals garnered by the Japanese Contingent in the Olympic Games since the XV Olympic Games Helsinki 1952”,
“We look at both the short-term and long-term gains from this visit, which may help us in producing the right template to secure our first gold at the Olympics and also to develop a sustainable sports eco-system for Malaysia” said Tan Sri Dr. Norza.
The other members who participated in the visit were Dato’ Ahmad Shapawi Ismail (Director General of the National Sports Council), Mr. Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli (CEO of the National Sports Institute), Mr. Stuart Ramalingam (Coordinator of RTG) and Ms. Michelle Chai Han Ching (Assistant Coordinator of RTG).
- Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr.) Mohamad Norza Zakaria presenting his point of view during the discussion with the NITTAIDAI.
- L-R: Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr.) Mohamad Norza Zakaria, Y.B. Hannah Yeoh and Mr. Takanori Ishii, President of NITTAIDAI.
- Group photograph of the delegation of Road to Gold (RTG) Committee with Mr. Koji Gushiken OLY (centre), the Olympic Gold Medalist in Gymnastics at the XXIII Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984, who is also an alumni of the NITTAIDAI.
- The delegation of RTG Committee at a guided tour to the Yokohama Campus of the NITTAIDAI.