Kathirvale Among Eight Inducted Into OCM Hall Of Fame

By Y.P. SIVAM
metrospt@thestar.com.my
Photos by AZHAR MAHFOF

EIGHTY-TWO-year-old S. Kathirvale had reasons to be elated when he was inducted into the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) - Hall of Fame at the Coca-Cola Olympian of the Year ceremony in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Kathirvale, a former FIFA referee and FIH umpire, said he was pleased to be on stage with some of the top officials and athletes in Malaysia.

“I started being involved as a match official, in both hockey and football, when I was 28. It was very challenging then and there were days when abuses were hurled at me. But today, the OCM had made me proud with this honour,’’ said Kathirvale.

Besides Kathirvale, the OCM also honoured Datuk Khalid Yunus, Datuk W.Y. Chin, Datuk Seri Kee Yong Wee, S. Jahendran, Datuk Thomas Lee, Marina Chin and Karu Selvaratnam.

Former greats: Kathirvale (fourth from left) with the others inducted into the OCM- Hall of Fame and OCM president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar (left) and Danyal.

Khalid, Chin, Yong Wee and Jahendran had served in the OCM. Khalid and Chin were vice- presidents while Yong Wee and Jahendran were treasurer and assistant treasurer respectively. Former athletes — Marina Chin and Karu Selvaratnam — also made it to the Hall of Fame.

Marina, now the principal of the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), won three gold medals in the 1977 and 1979 SEAP Games. She was also named as the Sportswoman of the Year in 1976 and 1977. Karu has the honour of having represented Malaysia in athletics and cricket.

Organising chairman Datuk Danyal Balagopal said the awards were a recognition for the recipients’ contribution to sports.

“All the winners have an impressive track record as administrators and athletes. They deserve to be given the honour to be inducted into the OCM Hall of Fame,’’ said Danyal, who is also the OCM vice-president.

BJSS netball coach Choo Kon Lee was presented with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Women and Sports Diploma.

The Olympian of the Year awards went to shooter Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi and archer Cheng Chu Sian. Both were impressive in the recent SEA Games in Indonesia. Nur Suryani won the 10m air rifle and 50m three position gold medals while Chu Sian won the individual and team events.

Both Nur Suryani and Chu Sian were rewarded with RM10,000 and a medallion each.

Roll of Honour

Olympian of the Year (women): Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi (shooting).

Olympian of the Year (men): Cheng Chu Sian (archery)

IOC Women and Sport Diploma: Choo Kon Lee (netball)

IOC Trophy (Sport and Social Responsibility); Saujana Golf and Country Club

Hall of Fame: Datuk Khalid Yunus, Datuk W.Y. Chin, Datuk Seri Kee Yong Wee. S. Jahendran, Datuk Thomas Lee, S. Kathirvale, Marina Chin, Karu Selvaratnam.

19th OCM Annual Dinner and Awards Night 2011

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: The 19th Olympic Council of Malaysia Annual Dinner and Awards Night 2011 was successfully organised on December 16 at the OCM Indoor Sports Arena, Wisma, Phase II, Kuala Lumpur. The Guest of Honour was Y.B. Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Minister of Youth and Sports Malaysia.

In his welcome address, HRH Prince Tunku Imran, OCM President, congratulated the Malaysian contingent of the 26th SEA Games for their outstanding achievements in Jakarta and Palembang, winning 59 gold medals, 51 silver and 82 bronze.

He added that the success of OCM was due to hard work, thriftiness and dedication and the support of all the partners of OCM, from its members, volunteers, the government, sponsors and, of course, the International Olympic Committee, Olympic Council of Asia, Commonwealth Games Federation, SEA Games Federation, the Association of National Olympic Committees and all those who have assisted OCM over the years.

The highlight of the 19th OCM Annual Dinner was the presentation of the following Awards: 2011 IOC Trophy - Sport and Social Responsibility, Saujana Golf & Country Club; IOC Women and Sport Diploma 2011, Ms. Choo Kong Lee (netball coach).

OCM Hall of Fame - Former National Athletes, Lt. Cdm. Karu Selcaratnam (rtd), national track athlete and national cricketer; Madam Marina Chin Leng Sim, national track athlete. Officials, Y. Bhg. Dato’ Khalid Yunus, Vice President of OCM from 1992 to 2005; Y.Bhg. Prof. Dato’Ar. W. Y. Chin, Vice President of OCM from 2000 to 2011; Y.Bhg. Dato’ Seri Kee Yong Wee, Honorary Treasurer of OCM from 1996 to 2011; Mr. S. Jahendran, Honorary Assistant Treasurer of OCM from 1996 to 2007; Y.Bhg. Dato’ Thomas Lee Mun Lung, Chairman of OCM Tan Sri Alex Lee Athletes’ Education Fund from 1999 to present. Technical Official, Mr. S. Kathiravele, retired FIFA International Referee from 1971 to 1980 and FIH International Umpire from 1968 to 1979.

OCM-Coca-Cola Olympian of the Year, Cheng Chu Sian (archery), male category – won gold medals in the Recurve Individual and Recurve Team events at the 26th SEA Games 2011; Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi (shooting), Female Category – won 2 gold medals in the 10m Air Rifle Individual and 50m S.B. Rifle Prone – 3 positions events at the 26th SEA Games 2011.