SEPANG: The Youth and Sports Ministry will be discussing with the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to consider listing bodybuilding for the Manila SEA Games next year.
Its Minister, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said he would be meeting OCM president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria on Wednesday to further discuss the matter.
The last time bodybuilding was competed was at the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games in which the national squad delivered one gold, one silver and one bronze medals.
“I will be working with the Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation (PBBM) to consider featuring bodybuilding in SEA Games.
“Their achievements at the recent World Championship were very encouraging. I believe bodybuilding athletes could deliver at least one gold medal if the sport is competed,” he told reporters after receiving the return of national bodybuilding squad at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2.
National bodybuilders contributed four gold medals and they were Lillian Tan who garnered two gold medals in the 55 kg and above as well as masters 30 years and above; Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah won gold in the physique 167 centimetre category and Sarawak’s Buda Anchah took the gold in the masters 40-50 years at the 10th World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championships 2018 in Chiang Mai, Thailand last week.
Syarul Azman also became the first athlete in the world to win a hat trick in the category.
Syed Saddiq said all medal winners will receive the awards under National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam) with RM20,000 for a gold medal, RM10,000 (silver medal) and RM5,000 (bronze). – Bernama
