PETALING JAYA: Former National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail (pic) has decided to come out of “retirement” to contest for the Paralympic Council Malaysia (PCM) presidency to help manage governance issue within the setup.
Shapawi will go against current incumbent president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin during the council’s annual general meeting scheduled for Dec 14.
After leaving the NSC last September, Shapawi said his decision to run for the PCM presidency came as several affiliated members of PCM urged his involvement due to their dissatisfaction with certain developments in the council.
“I have been nominated by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and the Canoe Association of Malaysia. I have also obtained the support of the majority of affiliated members before making this decision.
“There is disappointment within the setup and it does not seem to represent the collective views of PCM’s affiliated members.
“Concerns have also been raised that PCM appear to prioritise building an international reputation while neglecting the need to support and assist affiliated members in domestic sports development,” he said.
If elected, Shapawi said the top priority would be to restructure PCM’s governance to emphasise teamwork.
“PCM were founded on the unity of their affiliates, and fostering a team spirit will be a crucial factor moving forward.
“We need to foster relationships with key stakeholders, including the Youth and Sports Ministry, Education Ministry, and the Women, Family, and Community Ministry, to improve existing programmes for more effective development of para athletes.
“PCM need to collaborate with Sports Ministry and NSC to restore and elevate the international performance of para sports to their rightful level, and even surpass it,” he said. After spending 35 years with the NSC, Shapawi also said his relationship with the government would also serve in his favour if elected president.
“My good relationship with the government, cultivated during my tenure in public service, will be an advantage for PCM and their affiliates in jointly developing para sports in Malaysia,” he said.
