KUALA LUMPUR SEPT.23: The Ministry of Youth and Sports plans to have a follow-up action plan requesting a special hearing to be conducted by the International Paralympic Council (IPC) and World Para Athletes on the appeal presented earlier on Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli who was denied the gold medal in the men’s F20 (intellectual impairment) shot put event at Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020 recently.
Muhammad Ziyad 31, was denied the gold medal despite his world record breaking attempt of 17.94 meter when he was classified as “Did Not Start (DNS) following a protest lodged by the Ukrainian team who claimed he was late to report the call room prior to the event.
Minister of Youth and Sports, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Datuk Azumu said, the ministry is also considering bringing the issue to the Court of Arbitration in Sports (CAS) if the appeal fails to convince IPC and WPA.
“The Ministry takes this case seriously and will increase the standard operating procedure (SOP) for athletes participating in international games especially involving Paralympics athletes to avoid the same case from happening again.
“The Olympics and the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 had been implemented in a cautious and different from the Games held before.
There were many entrance limitations and control apart from movements that the Organizing Committee had set to minimum the risk of COVID-19 infections,” Ahmad Faizal said in the Dewan Rakyat here today.
Ahmad Faizal was responding to the questions from the Member of Parliament (MP) for Pasir Mas and MP for Tasik Gelugor on the incident where Malaysian paralympic athlete Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli was denied the gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympic 2020 and the status of the investigation related to the case.
Earlier Ahmad Faizal said, the ministry has formed a Domestic Inquiry Committee chaired by Tan Sri Borhan Dolah a retired Director General of Public Services (KPPA) to investigate in detail on the cancellation of the participation and victory of Muhammad Ziyad at the Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020.
The Minister added, the ministry viewed the allegation that Ziyad was late was baseless and the decision of the judge or technical officer was a result of the officer/coach of the Ukraine team’s provocation as their athlete was Ziyad’s main competitor.
“However, investigation on the allegation will still continue to ensure our stand on the issue has a strong foundation,” Ahmad Faizal said. –Malaysia World News
