PETALING JAYA, Aug 24 — A surprise is in store for the Malaysian Olympic contingent when they arrive at KL International Airport (KLIA) today.
A Youth and Sports Ministry spokesman was tight-lipped about what they had planned after a meeting was held to discuss the welcoming ceremony for Malaysia’s most successful team yet to an Olympic Games.
“It is a nice little surprise,” said the spokesman. “It might not be spectacular but we will show they are champions for all Malaysians.”
The estimated time of arrival of the aircraft is 1.50pm. The plane will be given a water salute as it taxis to a halt on the tarmac. They will then be brought to the Bunga Raya Complex where thousands of people are expected to felicitate their sporting heroes.
The last batch of athletes that arrive today are badminton players Datuk Lee Chong Wei, mixed-doubles pair Goh Liu Yin and Chang Peng Soon, and doubles pair Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong, all silver medal winners.
The other shuttlers Tee Jiang Yi, Vivian Hoo Kah Mun and Woon Khe Wei, along with the stellar diving team of Pandelela Rinong Pamg, Cheong Jun Hoong (who won silver in synchronised diving), Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Ooi Tze Liang and Ahmad Amsyar Azman will also be on the same flight.
Cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, who won bronze medal in keirin, returned home last week.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin will receive them along with other national players and coaches.
Khairy will hold a press conference with the athletes, Olympic chef de mission Tan Sri Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid and other Olympic Council delegates at 2.30pm.
The welcoming ceremony is open to the public.
“The ceremony will be short, sweet and to the point,’’ the ministry’s spokesman said.
There were no immediate plans for a nationwide tour for the Olympians.
