KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 ― Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) new deputy president, Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi said it did not crossed his mind to contest for the post earlier.

Abdul Azim who is the National Sports Institute (NSI) chairman said his decision to contest was made after receiving the support and trust of several individuals who were confident with his credibility and capability.  

He said he had sought the advice and views of Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, OCM president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria as well as former OCM president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar.

"The three of them gave their undivided support which encouraged me to stand for the post,” he told reporters after the OCM leadership election at its 37th annual general meeting at Wisma OCM today.

Abdul Azim was appointed the new OCM deputy president post after receiving 54 votes to defeat his challenger and Malaysian National Silat Federation secretary-general (PESAKA) Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin who obtained 43 votes.

In this regard, he denied his decision to contest was aimed at denying other more senior and experienced individuals in the organisation.  

"It was on the insistence of friends as well as the support of three personalities which prompted me to stand. I do not want to deprive anyone of the post after all it was vacant,” he said.

In this regard, the OCM election saw Mohamad Norza being appointed as the new OCM president after winning uncontested to succeed Tunku Tan Sri Imran.

In the secretary-general post tussle, incumbent Datuk Low Beng Choo lost the contest by one vote to  Datuk Nazifuddin Mohd Najib who received 49 votes.

The five new OCM vice-presidents are Datuk Mumtaz Jaffar, Datuk Ong Poh Eng, Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad, V. Mahinda and Datuk S. Shamala. ― Bernama