Amirul geared up after coach lift

OCM deputy president Datuk M. Jegathesan (second from right) receives a pair of shoes from Bata senior marketing manager Datuk James Selvaraj at the function naming Bata (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd as the official footwear for the Malaysian contingent to the Beijing Olympics. On the left is Chef-de-Mission Datuk Ho Koh Chye while NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong is on the right — PIC: HASAN ISMAIL

WEIGHTLIFTER Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim can now look forward to a better outing in the Olympics after coach Lin Xui Hui was given the nod to accompany him to Beijing.

The Malaysian Weightlifting Association (MWA) sparked a controversy recently when it selected its vice-president Abu Hanafah Ismail instead of the coach to follow Amirul to Beijing.

However, the Olympic Council of Malaysia granted the MWA another spot and Xui Hui was named .

Chef-de-Mission Datuk Ho Koh Chye confirmed this at the function naming Bata (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd as the official suppliers of footwear for the Malaysian contingent to Beijing at the OCM head office in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Amirul, ranked World No 16 in the 56kg event, has set a top-10 target in Beijing.
Kok Chye also said a total of 29 officials, including coaches, team managers, medical personnel and secretariat members will travel with the 33 athletes to Beijing,

Meanwhile, national sailor Kevin Lim, who will be competing in his fourth Olympics, was the first Malaysian athlete to arrive in Beijing.

Kevin, who arrived on Monday, hopes to try out the venue of the laser event at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Centre.

Kok Chye said the second batch of athletes from aquatics and archery will leave on Sunday followed by the badminton squad, two days later. -- AJITPAL SINGH

NST