KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s top men’s doubles duo, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, who successfully defended their Olympic bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, led the list of outstanding Malaysian athletes honoured at the delayed 27th Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Awards Night today.
The awards, which aim to recognise the outstanding achievements of Malaysian athletes, officials, and former athletes competing in international multi-sport events under OCM’s purview, were held for the first time since 2019.
The event had been postponed due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted numerous sporting events. OCM decided to wait until the completion of the 2020–2024 Olympic cycle to hold its annual awards once again.
This year also marks OCM’s 70th anniversary of being recognised as Malaysia’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The highlight of the evening was the Olympian of the Year Awards, alongside the OCM Women & Sports Award and the Induction into the OCM Hall of Fame.
A new Best Sports Association Award was also introduced, honouring associations that consistently contributed gold medals to the Malaysian contingent in the SEA Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Olympic Games.
The ceremony began with the induction of 20 new members into the OCM Hall of Fame, comprising former sports officials and athletes who have made significant contributions to the nation’s sporting arena.
For the OCM Women & Sports Award, the honour went to Tang Kwai Mae, better known as Mae Chen in the aquatics community. With nearly two decades of contributions to aquatic sports, she was recognised as the 18th recipient of the award, which was introduced in 2003.
A total of 23 National Sports Associations (NSAs) were also acknowledged for their contributions to the Malaysian contingent’s success and for securing gold medals at various multi-sport events.
Meanwhile, 11 individuals, including Aaron and Wooi Yik, who are currently in Hangzhou for the World Tour Finals, received Olympian of the Year Awards for their outstanding performances between 2020 and 2024.
The awards were presented by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, OCM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, chairperson of the 27th OCM Awards organising committee Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad, and members of the OCM executive board. — December 11, 2024
27th OCM Awards Roll of Honour
Induction into the OCM Hall of Fame
Officials:
- Datuk S. Vegiyathuman – Athletics
- The late Datuk Abu Samah Abd Wahab – Cycling
Athletes:
- Khoo Chong Beng – Athletics
- The late Nellan Vellasamy – Golf
Team:
Women’s Hockey Team, 9th Asian Games, Delhi 1982:
- Mary Soo
- Maheswari Kanniah
- Mary Lim
- Teh Siew Bee
- Elizabeth Gomez
- Aninie Yew
- Rawiyah Rawi
- Asma Amin
- Halimathon Yaacob
- Norizan Abd Majid
- Noorlaila Senawi
- Christina Chin
- Yuen Lai Heng
- Lum Sau Foong
- The late Daphne Boudville
- The late Goh Joo Phaik
2024 Women & Sports Award Winner
- Mae Chen
Best Sports Association Achievement Awards
- Malaysian Swimming Federation
- National Archery Association of Malaysia
- Malaysian Athletics Federation
- Badminton Association of Malaysia
- Malaysian Snooker and Billiard Federation
- Malaysian Bodybuilding Federation
- Malaysian National Cycling Federation
- Malaysia Dancesport Federation
- Equestrian Association of Malaysia
- Malaysian Hockey Confederation
- Malaysian Golf Association
- Malaysian Gymnastics Federation
- Malaysian Karate Federation
- Malaysian Muaythai Association
- National Silat Federation of Malaysia
- Malaysian Petanque Federation
- Malaysian Sailing Association
- Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association
- National Shooting Association of Malaysia
- Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia
- Taekwondo Malaysia
- Malaysian Weightlifting Federation
- Malaysian Wushu Federation
Olympian of the Year Winners
Sea Games Vietnam 2021
- Men’s Category: Juwaidi Marzuki (Archery)
- Women’s Category: Nur Dhabitah Sabri OLY (Diving)
SEA Games Cambodia 2023
- Men’s Category: Khiew Hoe Yan OLY (Swimming)
- Women’s Category: Tan Cheong Min (Wushu)
Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022
- Men’s Category: Aniq Kasdan OLY (Weightlifting)
- Women’s Category: Ng Joe Ee (Gymnastics)
Asian Games Hangzhou 2022
- Men’s Category: Ng Eain Yow (Squash)
- Women’s Category: S. Sivasangari (Squash)
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
- Datuk Azizulhasni Awang OLY (Cycling)
Olympic Games Paris 2024
- Aaron Chia OLY & Soh Wooi Yik OLY (Badminton)