Main image via trithe.com
While Datuk Lee Chong Wei may have retired as a professional badminton athlete, he’s not leaving the sports world just yet.
Image via The Star
The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have confirmed that Chong Wei will take on the role as the Malaysian contingent’s chef de mission (CDM) for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games 2020.
According to OCM president, Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, all the affiliate members of the OCM unanimously agreed to the nomination of the former national badminton player as the person in charge of the national team.
“All delegates representing sports bodies unanimously agreed to the nomination of Datuk Lee Chong Wei, which was proposed by the Youth and Sports Minister (Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman) recently,” he said.
Image via The Borneo Posts
Due to Chong Wei’s health condition, the OCM president noted that a post for deputy chef de mission might be created if the situation calls for it.
“We will only know the actual size of the national contingent early next year,” Norza Zakaria said. “If then we need an assistant, we may consider appointing a deputy CDM.”
“Based on the number of athletes who have qualified so far, only the CDM is needed,” he continued.
The OCM president also added that the appointment of the beloved national athlete was a positive development for both sports and the three-time Olympic silver medalist.
Image via Time Out
Norza Zakaria noted that a seminar on the comprehensive role of the chef de mission will be held in August.
“He retired as a very successful athlete and so far, he has only seen from afar the management process involving multi-sports games,” he said. “Chong Wei has been involved in all major games in the world and the Olympic Games are no stranger to him.”
“The appointment is good exposure for him and we will invite him to join a seminar on CDM for the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020, which will be held in August,” he added.
We’re looking forward to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics even more now and we can’t wait to see Chong Wei back in the sports world as the CDM!
Info via The Star