Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 1, 2022: The Olympic Council of Malaysia reports that gymnastics pioneer Shanmuga Rajah Navaratnam passed away peacefully on Friday, April 29, at the age of 73.
He was one of the founding members of the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation in 1978, serving first as Assistant Secretary from 1978 to 1980 and then as Honorary Secretary for 37 years from 1980 until stepping down in February 2017.
Throughout his tenure with the MGF, he played a significant role in the introduction and development of rhythmic gymnastics when the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) announced that the event would make its debut at the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992.
He was one of the sports leaders who initiated the inclusion of rhythmic gymnastics in the sports programme when Malaysia hosted the 15th SEA Games in 1989 and subsequently the inclusion of the discipline in the Charter and Rules of the South East Asian Games Federation.
Due to his hard work, Malaysia remains the rhythmic gymnastics powerhouse in the SEA region and also within the Commonwealth nations. He also contributed equally in the development of artistic gymnastics during his tenure and Malaysia won several medals at the SEA Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games as well as producing Olympic athletes.
Among the posts he held were Secretary General, South East Asian Gymnastics Confederation from 1985 to 2012; Committee member, Asian Gymnastics Union from 1988 to 1998; Assistant Secretary General, AGU from 1998 to 2002; Secretary General, Commonwealth Gymnastics Confederation from 1994 to 1998; Committee member, International Sports & Culture Association (ISCA) from 1999 to 2002; and President (Asian Commission), ISCA from 2003 to 2013.
The OCM appointed Mr. Shanmuga Rajah Navaratnam as Chef de Mission for the 3rd Asian Indoor Games Vietnam 2009.
During the 16th Council meeting of the FIG in Bangkok in 2016, Mr. Shanmuga Rajah Navaratnam was honoured with the FIG Silver Distinction Award in recognition of his dedicated contribution and long services to the sport of gymnastics in Malaysia and South East Asia.
He also received the Sports Leadership Award during the 2016 National Sports Awards Ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
