KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 — The appointment of Beijing as host of the 2022 Winter Olympics will open a myriad of opportunities for Malaysia, including representatives at the Games, according to chairman of Genting Secret Garden Resort Datuk Lim Chee Wah.

Beijing pipped Almaty, Kazakhstan, to the rights of hosting the 24th edition of the Games on Friday.

The appointment of Beijing serves in the best interest of Malaysia and the Genting Secret Garden Resort in Zhangjiakou, which is one of the venues in candidate city Beijing.

“We are delighted with the success of Beijing. This appointment marks a great opportunity for Malaysia and international businesses to go and invest in China for the benefit of winter sports development. With this, we hope to see Malaysia competing in Beijing,” said Lim, who added Ski Malaysia will benefit Malaysians who are eager to pick up the sport to follow in the footsteps of Othman Mirzan, the country’s first alpine skier.

“Opportunities have opened up for Malaysia and we must seize it. Ski Malaysia is set up for young Malaysians who wish to ski and we want to promote our locals to compete in high level winter sports,” added the 61-year-old.

Genting Secret Garden Resort, which opened three year ago is China’s biggest ski resort which boasts 265 rooms and 84 apartment units.

Lim expressed his hopes of not only seeing Malaysia, but also neighbouring countries to take up winter sports which is predominantly synonym with European countries.

“We wish to accommodate more hot climate countries to take part in winter sports. Not only Malaysians, but also Singaporeans and Indonesians as well.”