Marina named Malaysia chef de mission for 2017 Games

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Marina Chin used to be the poster girl of the national athletics squad in the SEA Games in her heyday.

Now, the former track queen has been named as the chef de mission of the Malaysian contingent when the SEA Games are held here in 2017.

Her appointment and that of Tan Sri Mohd Al-Amin Abdul Majid for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics next year were announced by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Friday.

And Marina was pleasantly surprised – and shocked.

“This comes as a shock ... and a big surprise to me, as I was only told about it yesterday. At the same time, I feel very honoured and I take this as a heavy responsibility,” said Marina, who is the Education Ministry’s Sports Division director.

“But for now I’m still with the Education Ministry. I will finish my retirement with them first, when I turn 60 in a month’s time, before I think about being chef de mission and start discussing with the relevant parties on how to make the SEA Games a success.

“I still need time for it to sink in before I make any plans.”

Marina is well known for her exploits in the 100m hurdles. In the 1970s, she won a total of seven gold medals in the SEA Games. She also won the 1975 and 1976 National Sportswoman of the Year awards.

In 2013, she received the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Women and Sport award.

Khairy said that he had discussed the appointments with the OCM before making the official announcement.

“I believe Datuk Marina Chin can lift the spirits of the national athletes to be the overall champions of the 2017 SEA Games with her management expertise, understanding of sports and firm stance in whatever assignment she carries out,” said Khairy.

On Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) deputy president Al-Amin’s appointment as the chef de mission for the Malaysian contingent at the Rio Olympics next year, Khairy said: “He has extensive experience in sports as BAM deputy president and Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC) vice-president. He also has experience in the private sector and government agencies.”