MALAYSIA’s world champions — track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang, diver Cheong Jun Hoong and silat exponent Mohd Al-Jufferi Jamari – have been picked as the Malaysian contingent flag bearers at the opening of the 29th SEA Games at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Aug 19
The trio were named on Monday night (7 Aug) by Youth and Sports Minister YB Brig Gen Khairy Jamaluddin during the final gathering of the national SEA Games-bound athletes at Renaissance Hotel, which is also the team’s official hotel, in Kuala Lumpur.
Azizul is now the reigning world keirin champion while diver Jun Hoong won the world championships in Budapest, Hungary, last month. Mohd Al-Jufferi is the world silat champion in the men’s Putra E class which he won in Bali last year.
In his message to some 700 athletes, YB Brig Gen Khairy reminded to be vigilant and place the nation’s interest and honour above the rest.
YB Brig Gen Khairy also launched the official contingent and competition official attire at the ceremony.
Also present were Deputy Sports Minister Datuk M. Saravanan, Olympic Council of Malaysia President Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar, Chief Executive Officer of MASOC Dato’ Seri Zolkples Embong and National Sports Council Director-General Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail.
As the 10-day countdown to the Games starts on Tuesday (Aug 8), a plethora of pre-Games activities have been planned over the next few days. This include the unveiling of the official KL2017 song and the official flag handing ceremony scheduled in Putrajaya on Thursday (10 Aug).
