Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, December 24, 2024: Dr. Norza Zakaria, President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and Vice President of the OCA, welcomed a delegation from the International Woodball Federation on Monday, December 23, 2024, in Kuala Lumpur.
The eight-strong delegation was led by the Federation President, Mr. Sean Weng Chi-Hsiang (TPE), and included Dr. Patanachart Kridiborworn (THA), Vice President; Mdm. Elaine Tan Mee Hoi (MAS), Vice President; Ms. Ng Lai Ling (HKG), President of Woodball Association of Hong Kong China; 5. Dr. Chong Tien Siong (SGP), President of Singapore Woodball Association; Ms. Yuli Teo (SGP), Vice President of Singapore Woodball Association; Mr. Muhamad Azan Yaakob (MAS), Deputy President of Malaysia Woodball Association; and Mr. Fendi Johnathan (INA), Secretary General of Indonesia Woodball Association.
During the courtesy visit, Sean Weng provided Dr. Norza with a brief history of the development of woodball in the Asia. He highlighted that woodball has been officially recognised by the OCA since 1999 and has been featured in all the Asian Beach Games from Bali 2008, followed by Muscat 2010, Haiyang 2012, Phuket 2014 and Danang 2016.
“We seek the support of the OCA Vice President Dr. Norza Zakaria for woodball to be elevated into the sports programme of the Asian Games in the future,” he stated.
Woodball will be contested for the first time in the SEA Games next year in Thailand, and officials hope it will continue to be on the sports programme, notably in Malaysia for the 34th SEA Games in 2027.
Mdm. Tan Mee Hoi, President of the Malaysia Woodball Association and Vice President of IWbF, highlighted the rapid development of woodball in Malaysia, with increased participation across all age groups.
Dr. Norza commented: “We are confident that, under the capable leadership of IWbF President Mr. Sean Weng, woodball will continue to grow and establish itself as an integral part of the Olympic Movement at the global, continental and regional levels.”
