Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 16, 2024: The flag handing ceremony for Malaysia’s national netball team to the 13th Asian Netball Championships 2024 took place at Bukit Kiara Sports Complex in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, October 15.
The ceremony was officiated by Tan Sri Dato’ Sri (Dr.) Mohamad Norza Zakaria, President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia.
The 13th Asian Netball Championships will be held from October 18-27 at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bangalore, India.
In her speech, Y.B. Hajah Alwiyah Talib, President of the Malaysian Netball Association, congratulated Tan Sri Dr. Norza on his election as OCA Vice President for Southeast Asia at the OCA General Assembly in New Delhi, India on September 8.
“The election of Tan Sri Dr. Norza is a testament to the high recognition of his leadership on the international stage, especially within the Asian continent and Southeast Asia region,” said Y.B. Hajah Alwiyah Talib.
“We are extremely proud of Tan Sri Dr. Norza, as his election as Vice President of OCA is a great achievement for the extended family of OCM, which includes 58 National Sports Associations, including the Netball Association.”
She said that the presence of Tan Sri Dr. Norza at the ceremony served as a great motivation for the MNA and the national netball team, who are on a mission to restore the glory of netball for Malaysia at the Asian Netball Championships 2024.
Tan Sri Dr. Norza said that netball had always held a special place in his heart, recalling the intense final match between Malaysia and Singapore when he was the Chef de Mission of the Malaysian contingent to the 28th SEA Games Singapore 2015.
“I will always extend my fullest support to the MNA to ensure that netball remains a mainstream sport in Malaysia,” he said.
“Remember, every time you step on to the court, you are not only playing for yourselves but also representing Malaysia, with the support and hopes of the entire nation behind you, praying for your success,” he added.
Y.B. Hajah Alwiyah Talib passed the national flag to Dr. Norza, who then officially handed it to the team manager and honorary secretary of MNA, Mdm. Zainon Md Noh, who subsequently presented it to the team captain, Ms. Nurfariha Abdul Razak.
Malaysia has won the Asian Netball Championships on two occasions, in 1985 and 2016. Sri Lanka are the defending champions.
