Malaysia’s chef de mission says OCM may reduce athlete numbers for the 2026 Asian Games to control rising costs linked to the West Asia conflict.
PETALING JAYA: The Olympic Council of Malaysia will decide whether to tighten athlete selection for the 2026 Asian Games. Chef de mission Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan cited rising participation costs linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict as a key factor.
He said the OCM and the Ministry of Youth and Sports should determine any further action. “We leave it to the OCM; they may reduce the number of athletes and only send those who can truly deliver medals,” Mohd Sumali told reporters.
He was speaking after the first Southeast Asian Games Federation meeting for the 2025-2027 term. The chef de mission said he did not rule out increased costs for the national contingent travelling to Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The Games are scheduled from September 19 to October 4 next year. Mohd Sumali stated that no formal discussions on alternative plans have been held if the crisis persists.
He confirmed a brief discussion had taken place with OCM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria. They discussed the conflict’s potential impact on the national contingent for the Asian Games.
Mohd Sumali said they are awaiting guidance from Mohamad Norza and Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari. “As CDM, I do not want to issue statements ahead of them,” he added.
