Mohamad Norza Zakaria
Mohamad Norza Zakaria | |
|---|---|
| 5th President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia | |
| Assumed office 5 May 2018 | |
| Minister | Khairy Jamaluddin (2018) Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman (2018–2020) Reezal Merican Naina Merican (2020–2021) Ahmad Faizal Azumu (2021–2022) Hannah Yeoh (since 2022) |
| Deputy | Dato' Seri Abdul Azim Zabidi (2018–2021) Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin (since 2021) |
| Preceded by | Tunku Imran |
| President Badminton Association of Malaysia | |
| Assumed office 29 April 2017 | |
| Patron | Rosmah Mansor (2017–2018) Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (2018–2021) Muhaini Zainal Abidin (since 2021) |
| Preceded by | Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff Mohd Al-Amin Abdul Majid (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mohamad Norza bin Zakaria 29 August 1966 Malacca, Malaysia |
| Citizenship | Malaysian |
| Alma mater | University of Wollongong |
| Occupation | Group President & CEO |
| Profession | Chartered Accountant |
| Website | citaglobal.my |
Tan Sri Dato' Sri (Dr.) Mohamad Norza Zakaria (born in 1966) is a Malaysian chartered accountant and a fellow of CPA Australia. He is currently the President of Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and also holds the post of President of Commonwealth Games Association of Malaysia.
An avid polo player, Norza also plays tennis and his passion in badminton brought him into sports administration where he was elected President of the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association in 2010.
Having contributed at the grassroots level with the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association, Norza was the choice of the grassroots to become the President of Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in 2017 - a post which he holds until today.
His leadership at the helm of the BAM propelled Malaysia to the world stage of badminton. During his time as President of BAM, Malaysian won their first World Championship title in badminton through the Men's Doubles pair of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.[1] Another highlight was the emergence of women's doubles pair Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan who created history by becoming the first Malaysian women's doubles pair to win the French Open title since its inception in 1908.[2]
Norza is also a board member of National Sports Council (NSC) and Chairman of Audit Committee of NSC from 2018 until present. In search of Malaysia's first ever Olympic Gold medal, the Honorable Sports Minister YB Hannah Yeoh established a Road to Gold (RTG) Committee whose objective is to provide athletes with additional support services to assist them reach the necessary performance level for an Olympic Gold medal at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. Together with the Honorable Sports Minister, Norza co-chairs the RTG Committee.
At the continental level, on 29 April 2023, Norza became the first Malaysian to be elected to the post of Honorary President of Badminton Asia for the term 2023 to 2027. The unanimous appointment, made at Badminton Asia's Annual General Meeting, is a tribute and recognition to the efforts that Norza has made in Malaysian badminton.
Norza's contribution to Malaysian sports was also recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) when he was appointed, on 4 October 2023, as a member of the Coordination Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for the quadrennial term of 2023–2027.
The appointments at the continental level is a culmination of Norza's experiences in various leadership positions in Malaysian sports. Among others:
- Chef de Mission (CDM) of Malaysia for the 28th Southeast Asian Games which was held from 5–16 June 2015 in Singapore. The gold medal tally achieved by the Malaysian contingent in Singapore is still the highest to date for a SEA Games held outside Malaysia.
- Chairman of the National Sports Institute Board (October 2013 - May 2017)
- Treasurer of the Football Association of Malaysia (May 2014 - March 2017)
- President of the Royal Malaysian Polo Association (RMPA) (2021 - 2022)
- President of the Putra Polo Club, Malaysia (August 2015 – present)
Early life and educational background
Norza is the son of school teachers and was born in Malacca and grew up in Negeri Sembilan. After his studies in Sekolah Tuanku Jaafar in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, he received his Higher School of Certificate from the Randwick Boys High School in Australia in 1985.
A Chartered Accountant (CA) from the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) by profession, Norza studied and received his Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Wollongong in Australia from 1986 to 1988.
In 2008, Norza qualified as a Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA) from CPA Australia Ltd.
Professional background
As a Chartered accountant, Norza started his career with Arthur Andersen & Co, and held managerial, executive and high level positions with Bank Negara Malaysia, Petronas, SPK Sentosa, Mun Loong Berhad and Gabungan Strategik Sdn Bhd.
Norza sits on board of a public listed company (PLC) in Malaysia, Citaglobal Berhad, and was appointed as an Executive Chairman & President of the company since February 2020. He is also the Group President & CEO of TIZA Global Sdn Bhd, a company he started in 2008 that has a wide diversity of business holdings from oil and gas, hospitality, transportation and media technology.
Prior to starting TIZA Global Sdn. Bhd., Norza served as the Political Secretary to the Malaysian Minister of Finance II for the term of 2004 - 2008.
Previously, Norza has been appointed as the board of directors and Chairman of Audit Committee of a government linked PLCs, namely AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd.,[3] Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad,[4] Samalaju Industrial Port Sdn Bhd,[5] Lembaga Urusan Tabung Haji, Institut Terjemahan Negara Malaysia, PT XL Axiata Tbk (formerly known as PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk), Pelikan International Corporation Berhad, TH Heavy Engineering Berhad, Tropicana Corporation Berhad, Tropicana Gold & Country Resort Berhad, RHP Saribas Sdn. Bhd., TH Heavy Engineering Berhad, TH Plantations Berhad, THHE Fabricators Sdn. Bhd. and Biport Bulkers Sdn. Bhd.
Honours
Malaysia :
Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (2020)[6][7]
Federal Territory (Malaysia) :
Grand Commander of the Order of the Territorial Crown (SMW) – Datuk Seri (2015)[8]
Kelantan :
Knight Commander of the Order of the Life of the Crown of Kelantan (DJMK) – Dato' (2006)[9]
Pahang :
Knight Companion of the Order of the Crown of Pahang (DIMP) – Dato' (2004)
Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri (2016)[10]
Perlis :
Member of the Order of the Crown of Perlis (AMP) (2001)
Companion of the Order of the Crown of Perlis (SMP) (2002)
On 17 August 2020, Norza was conferred the award of 'Darjah Kebesaran Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM)' which carries the title 'Tan Sri' by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah in conjunction with the birthday celebrations of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Earlier on 24 October 2016, he was conferred the award of 'Darjah Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP)’ which carries the title 'Dato' Sri' by Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah in conjunction with the birthday celebrations of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang.
Prior to this, Norza was conferred the award of 'Darjah Kebesaran Seri Mahkota Wilayah (SMW)’ which carries the title 'Datuk Seri' by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Almu’tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku AlHaj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Ibni AlMarhum Sultan Badlishah in conjunction with Federal Territory Day on 1 February 2015.
Awards
In recognition of his leadership qualities in sports, the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) selected Norza as the first recipient of the Sports Leadership Award in conjunction with the SAM-100PLUS 2022 Awards ceremony held on 5 September 2023.[11]
On 20 November 2021, Norza was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate in Sports Management by the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Tanjung Malim in conjunction with their 22nd Convocation Ceremony which was graced and officiated by Her Majesty the Chancellor, Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim.
Internationally, the World Chinese Economic Forum awarded Norza with its Lifetime Achievement Award on 27 December 2021 in recognition of his invaluable contribution and support for the 2021 World Chinese Economic Forum.[12]
References
- ^ Guan, Kng Zheng (28 August 2022). "Aaron-Wooi Yik are world champions | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Reporters, F. M. T. (30 October 2022). "Pearly-Thinaah create history by winning French Open title". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "AirAsia Aviation Group Limited announces Board of Directors". airasia newsroom. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ^ "Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad Board of Directors". Bintulu Port Holdings. Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- ^ "Biport Board of Directors". Biport Bulkers Sdn Bhd. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
- ^ "Tengku Maimun, Dr Arshad Ayub dahului senarai penerima darjah kebesaran, pingat" (in Malay). Berita Harian. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
- ^ "Tengku Maimun, Arshad Ayub dahului senarai penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Pingat sempena Keputeraan Agong" (in Malay). Bernama. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
- ^ "Jackie Chan now a Datuk". Sira Habibu. The Star. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ^ "Abdullah heads honours list". The Star. 30 March 2006. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ^ "613 terima darjah kebesaran Sultan Pahang". Mohamad Shofi Mat Isa (in Malay). Utusan Malaysia. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ^ "Norza named first recipient of new sports leadership award". The Star. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ WCEF 2021 Awards Ceremony Sheraton Petaling Jaya December 27th, 2021 #WCEF2021 | By World Chinese Economic Forum 世界华人经济论坛Facebook. Retrieved 1 April 2024 – via www.facebook.com.