KUALA LUMPUR – With the Paris Olympics approaching, controversy has arisen over the design of the outfits that Malaysian athletes and officials will wear at the Games in France.
The outfits, launched at The Exchange TRX during Olympic Day Malaysia on Sunday, include shirts and tracksuits that have been met with dissatisfaction from local sports fans.
Fans have said they regard the design as significantly different and unappealing compared to previous years.
People have taken to social media to condemn the design, especially the colour scheme, as the iconic Jalur Gemilang-coloured badge (red, white, blue and yellow) was changed to gold, sparking outrage.
With fans requesting that the Youth and Sports Ministry take action to change the design of the apparel, the minister responded on her platform, stating that the new official attire for the national contingent was outside the jurisdiction of her ministry and the National Sports Council, as it was the responsibility of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
Through her statement on X, the minister effectively distanced herself from the design, which was done by Yonex Sunrise.
For the record, Yonex Sunrise has been providing official team attire for OCM at all multi-sport games, beginning with the 2016 Olympic Games and culminating with the Paris Games throughout the four-year Olympic cycle.
However, earlier today, OCM secretary-general Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib responded to the criticism, stating that the apparel was developed after discussions between OCM and sponsors, taking into account several factors, including costs.
This issue has raised a critical question: why does the ministry, which is responsible for taking care of the nation’s image on the world stage, appear to not have a say in how the contingent will appear in the Olympics?
Speaking to Scoop, sports analyst Mohd Sadek Mustaffa said the Sports Ministry should not unfairly blame OCM, as the ministry had the final say in national sports matters.
“There is no way that the Sports Ministry has no role in deciding and giving their say in the design of the apparel, as at the end of the day, OCM is their stakeholder and they need to be answerable to the ministry.
“Definitely, all matters need to get through the ministry for approval, and that’s how it has been for many years. It’s the government’s role to protect how our nation is viewed by people around the world, and of course, they need to play their part in making sure the world views us well.
“Let’s say even if OCM had the full power to decide on what kind of design they are going to go with for this year’s apparel, don’t tell me that the ministry can’t advise on what is good and what is bad for the nation?
“As a ministry, they should always be the check and balance, and they should always communicate with their stakeholders at all costs. That’s the role of a ministry, and not avoid the situation,” said Sadek when contacted.
At the same time, Sadek, who is a senior sports science lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara, emphasised that the ministry should have educated the public about the changes before launching the apparel.
“We are all aware that the ministry under the administration of Hannah is always trying something new compared to previous administrations.
“For sure, the minister is trying to create her own identity through the apparel for this year’s Olympics, as this is going to be the first time the nation is going to compete in the Olympics under her reign.
“But if the ministry had explained to the public the direction and the changes they were going to make to the apparel about six months ago, I don’t think this controversy would have taken place and confused the public.
“The public are accustomed to the stripes that have been on our contingent’s apparel for years, so it’s going to be hard for them to move on. Hence, I hope that the Sports Ministry, after this, can intervene and take pride in how our nation will look in the eyes of the world,” Sadek added.
The Paris Olympics is scheduled from July 26 to August 11. – June 24, 2024
