Kuwait City, Kuwait, July 19, 2022: The Olympic Council of Asia has expressed its deep sorrow over the passing of veteran Malaysian sports administrator Dato’ Sieh Kok Chi on Saturday, July 16. He was 83.
The Acting President of the OCA, Raja Randhir Singh, said Kok Chi was a trusted friend of the OCA and of the Olympic sports movement in Asia in general.
“He served as Secretary General of the Olympic Council of Malaysia for many years and was a popular figure in the Olympic circles,” said Raja Randhir.
“He was always ready to give his honest opinion on any aspect of the Olympic movement and his advice and recommendations proved invaluable on many an occasion.
“He had a deep knowledge of the administrative side of the Olympic movement and also regarding the organisation and management of multi-sport games, including the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Southeast Asian Games.
“Dato’ Sieh was very well respected for his passion and enthusiasm for the Olympic movement and his personality and character will be greatly missed at meetings and sports games.
“On behalf of the OCA I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dato’ Sieh Kok Chi, to the President and Executive Board of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and to everyone involved in the sports movement in Malaysia, southeast Asia and throughout the continent.”
Dato’ Sieh Kok Chi was born on November 8, 1938. After his retirement in 1991 as an engineer in the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia, Dato’ Sieh devoted his time to his life-long passion of sport, especially in the Olympic Council of Malaysia.
From 1989 until the late 1990s, Dato’ Sieh was also attached to the National Sports Council where he acted as the adviser to the institution in the hosting policies and organisation of games.
He was a star athlete, too, representing his country in water polo for more than a decade, both in local and international games.
He also served in several key positions, including Secretary of the Selangor Amateur Swimming Association, Swimming Union of Selangor, as a council member and volunteer for the OCM since the 1970s.
From 1992 until 2015, Dato’ Sieh was the long-serving Secretary General of OCM. Dato’ Sieh also led the Malaysian contingent as Chef de Mission to the 20th SEA Games in Brunei Darussalam in 1999.
With his vast experience and knowledge gained over many years, Dato’ Sieh remained an Honorary Member of the OCM.
His siblings announced his passing on Tuesday, July 19. The funeral service will be held on Friday, July 22.