30 Nov “Datuk Prof Sundra Rajoo’s appointment to the FIFA independent ethics committee as he became the first Malaysian to do so” YB Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR: With just a month left until the end of the year, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin summed up Malaysia’s year in sports in one word, ‘best’.

This, following Malaysia’s achievement in clinching four world champion titles in different sports including cycling (Azizulhasni Awang), shot putt F20 (Ziyad Zolkefli), long jump T20 (Abdul Latif Romly) and diving (Cheong Jung Hoong).

“From what I see, our performance in sports this year is not bad with four world champions. After that we emerged as overall champions at the Sea Games. It’s not bad,” said Khairy.

Khairy also commented on Datuk Prof Sundra Rajoo’s appointment to the FIFA independent ethics committee as he became the first Malaysian to do so.

“Any appointment to Fifa is a huge honour and the appointment further strengthens the relationship between the FA of Malaysia and FIFA.”

Khairy said this during a press conference at Concorde Hotel in Shah Alam for the 44th The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) held earlier tonight.

SSEAYP, organised with the objective to promote mutual understanding and strengthen the relationship among youth in this region, sees 320 participants this year, 28 of which are Malaysians.

Malaysia is the last SSEAYP destination following a journey which started on November 2 on board the Nippon Maru and with good reason as Japan-Malaysia celebrates their 60 years of friendship.

The youths have sailed from Tokyo to four international port-of-calls which includes Sihanoukville in Cambodia, Bangkok in Thailand, Jakarta in Indonesia and Port Klang, Malaysia.

“It has been a most excellent platform for the youths of Asean countries and Japan to learn more about each other’s cultures and ways of life since 1974,” said Khairy.

“The value of this trust and friendship is immeasurable, especially when we consider the challenges that lie ahead for our youth who will, in time, take up the mantle of leadership in our respective nations.”

The participants will enjoy a tour which includes a visit to the Dewan Rakyat, Putrajaya (and the Sports Ministry), KLCC and the KL Sports City in Bukit Jalil, before they sail back to port of embarkation, Tokyo, on December 3.