KUALA LUMPUR — Former National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail has announced his intention to run for the Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) presidency, citing concerns over internal issues within the organisation.
Shapawi, who retired last year after 35 years with the NSC, will challenge the incumbent president, Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin, in the PCM executive committee elections on December 14.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and the Malaysian Canoe Association (MASCA), both PCM affiliate members, are understood to have nominated Shapawi for the position.
Speaking to Scoop, Shapawi expressed frustration over PCM’s current leadership, which he believes focuses on assigning blame rather than fostering teamwork.
“PCM now tends to place blame on others, and we do not want this to continue. To bring about change requires a team effort and a collective movement to enable PCM to progress further,” the 60-year-old former NSC chief said.
Although Shapawi refrained from providing specifics, his remarks are believed to be linked to incidents in which Megat allegedly blamed the NSC for the Malaysian para contingent’s failure to achieve their target of four gold medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
The contingent secured two golds, two silvers, and one bronze instead.
Megat has also accused the NSC of bullying national contingent leader Datuk R Subramaniam and interfering in the management of the para team during the Paralympics.
“Many issues within PCM concern us, particularly the current leadership style, which does not reflect teamwork.
“Decisions often fail to show that PCM is an organisation that truly supports its affiliates,” Shapawi added.
Megat assumed the leadership of PCM in 2019 after winning unopposed. — December 6, 2024