Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 28, 2019: The Director General of the Sambo Union of Asia, Suresh Gopi, made a courtesy visit to the Olympic Council of Malaysia HQ on Thursday, October 24.
He was accompanied by three members of the Malaysia Sambo Association, namely Johnathan Wong (President), Chiew Zhi Liang (Assistant Secretary General) and Jake Wong Kah Kit (Committee Member).
They were welcomed by Dato’ Seri Azim Zabidi, Deputy President of OCM, Dato’ Mohd Nazifuddin, Secretary General of OCM, Michelle Chai, Chief Operating Officer of OCM, and Fong Wan Hor, General Manager of OCM.
Mr. Suresh said that the Sambo Union of Asia had been providing support to the Malaysia Sambo Association for the promotion and development of sambo wrestling in Malaysia. The Asian governing body is looking forward to assisting the Malaysians to organise the first ever Sambo National Championship in 2020.
Dato’ Seri Azim Zabidi said that the OCM had also played a small role in the development of sambo, even though the MSA had yet to become an affiliate member of OCM, by selecting sambo athletes to participate in multi-sport games such as the 18th Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang 2018 and the forthcoming 30th SEA Games Philippines 2019.
The OCM will continue to support the effort of the SUA and the MSA to promote and develop the sport of sambo in Malaysia.