Accra:Arrifin Mohd Ghani, newly appointed director-general of the National Sports Council (NSC), has committed to bolstering athlete preparations and maintaining Malaysia's recent sporting successes. He aims to enhance high-performance programs without making drastic changes, focusing instead on areas for improvement.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Arrifin, who previously served as Sports Commissioner, plans to leverage his experience to provide optimal support for national athletes. His goal is to ensure they achieve peak performance internationally, continuing the momentum from the Commonwealth and Asian Games. The upcoming SEA Games, where Malaysia will be the host, is a major focus, with hopes of a convincing victory.

Arrifin discussed these plans after the Jalur Gemilang handover ceremony for the Malaysian contingent to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. He also mentioned reviewing the Road to Gold (RTG) program for the 2028 Olympic Games to better support elite athletes.

Arrifin highlighted the importance of nurturing the limited pool of super-elite athletes, noting the motivation that comes from growth opportunities. As a former athlete, he emphasized the administrators' role in ensuring athletes are fully prepared for the Olympics.

In a related development, a portfolio swap was announced between Arrifin and Jefri Ngadirin, who now serves as Sports Commissioner. This move aims to enhance governance and the national sports ecosystem, with Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Mohammed Taufiq Johari stating that the reshuffle was a collective decision made after thorough deliberation.

Taufiq assured that the restructuring process was designed to assign new roles based on individual expertise and experience, intending to strengthen sports administration ahead of the 2027 SEA Games.