Monday, September 2, 2013

Quality not quantity

IS the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) doing enough for their sports organisations? Or are the organisations being bogged down by too many activities and lacking proper direction? How prominent should OCM be in the landscape of Malaysian sports? The Starsports’ RAJES PAUL seeks answers from OCM’s long-serving secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi as he clearly defines the role and responsibilities of OCM and their members.

What is OCM?
We are a multi-sport organisation because we hold the rights in Malaysia to the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and SEA Games. We are the sole body recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). We are also the members’ organisation because it was the National Sports Associations (NSAs), who founded OCM. We are also members of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and South-east Asia Games Federation (SEAGF).

What is your take on OCM right now?
After so many years in sports and in OCM, I can conclude that most sports organisations are doing way too much without understanding the reasons for doing them. As a result, they are not achieving the desired goals. I’ve been trying to convince my colleagues in OCM to do less – and to do them well. To understand why we need to do what we do, we need to re-look at our priorities and roles.

Can you share with us briefly what are OCM’s main obligations and responsibilities?
1. Our core business is to encourage, facilitate and support our members to participate in the multi-sports Games under our charge. It is also OCM’s responsibility to support and add value to these Games by respecting their rules and doing whatever possible to enhance the image, value and viability of these Games;
2. The NSAs give life to OCM, so it is our responsibility to share our resources and improve their capabilities to govern and manage their organisations. Their main responsibility is to develop their respective sports effectively and efficiently;
3. We have a responsibility to implement IOC programmes through Olympic Solidarity;
4. We have an obligation and responsibility to implement programme by ANOC, OCA, CGF and SEAGF based on funding available, capacity and capabilities of OCM; and
5. It is also our duty to protect the autonomy of OCM and the NSAs according to the Olympic charter and constitution and resolve disputes within NSAs.

How many programmes and activities are OCM involved in?
We participate in the Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth and SEA Games and other related Games. We attend meetings, conferences, congresses, functions by IOC, OCA, CGF and SEAGF in accordance to their importance and priority. We also attend similar meetings at the local level.
We also bid for Games. And, if successful, we host conferences, congresses, seminars, forums and workshops.
It is also our responsibility to organise Olympic Day Run, technical courses for coaches, basic sports administration, advanced sports management courses, IOC Trophy and IOC Women and Sport award ceremonies.

Do OCM facilitate other activities?
Yes, we assist in programmes like sports for all; sports and environment; sports education and culture, Olympic value education programme (OVEP); and women in sports. We are the facilitator and motivator of these programmes.

Should OCM carry out more activities and programme?
OCM are implementing and organising more than their fair share of activities based on their resources, capacity and capabilities.
I like one of Sun Tzu’s quotes: “If troops lay siege to a walled city, their strength will be exhausted.” it reflects the primary importance of effective leaders. Effective leaders do not waste their resources on unattainable goals. They set realistic goals and set priorities for employees.


By RAJES PAUL, THE STAR

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