Sports-themed hotel gets World Cup makeover

KUALA LUMPUR: Considered a time capsule for the world's most popular single-sport tournament, the  uniquely-styled Olympic Sports Hotel here exhibits a wide array of World Cup memorabilia dating back to the  early 1960s, a first for any hotel in the country.

The hotel, located at Wisma OCM along Jalan Hang Jebat, displays priceless items such as autographed jerseys from the 1994 German World Cup squad and decorated English goalkeeper Ray Clemence.
Ow Soon Kooi, who took over as the hotel's director last year, said the memorabilia reflected the local passion for the World Cup.

"The idea to do this came from a friend three months ago. We decided to decorate the hotel in conjunction with the upcoming World Cup in South Africa," he said.
"As a sports-themed hotel, we have to live up to our name. And so, we have on display some of the rarest World Cup collector's items to give our guests a unique atmosphere."
Ow, himself a national hockey legend, said the hotel lobby acts as a hall-of-fame for some of the greatest football players.

Upon entering the lobby, one will be greeted by posters of Diego Maradona's 1986 "hand of God" goal, and World Cup posters.

"These exhibits are loaned to us by their owners. We had difficulty tracking them down, let alone get the respective owners' permission to exhibit them here," said Ow.

"The most priceless item here are the framed autographed photos of Brazilian legend Pele, which I purchased myself."

Next to the hotel's reception area are a number of glass showcases exhibiting items such as German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn's gloves from the 1994 World Cup, as well as the boots of Franz Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as captain (1974) and coach (1990).

"The concept of our hotel is not only to cater to athletes, but the general public and tourists as well," said Ow.
"Among our guests over the years have been national football team members, officials from the Asian Youth Volleyball tournament as well as foreign media representatives covering the recent Thomas Cup and Uber Cup Finals."

Ow said he will continue to exhibit sports memorabilia as well as repay his debt to the country by hanging up pictures of Malaysian sports legends.

"Once the World Cup football fever has cooled down, I plan to put up pictures of our nation's greatest sportsmen. For athletes, the passion for sports never dies. It lives on and we will always be there for the love of the game."

The Straits Times Thomas Cup Souvenir

The 2010 Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals ended on 16th May 2010, with the men's team of China and the women's team of Korea winning the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup respectively. Malaysia's Thomas Cup team lost the semi-final against China, while the women's Uber Cup team was defeated by Indonesian team in the quarter-final.

51 years earlier, the 1st Thomas Cup Final was played on February 25th and 26th 1949 at Preston, England, between Malaya and Denmark, which Malaya won by 8 matches to 1.

Thanks to Mr. Chris Syer, a member of the OCM Media Committee, OCM obtained a copy of "The Straits Times Thomas Cup Souvenir - An illustrated record of the visit of the successful Malayan Badminton Team to Europe in 1948/49". OCM believes that the Mr. Chris Syer's copy is one of a few copies of the souvenir left in Malaysia.

OCM has produced a soft-copy of the souvenir which is posted in the OCM Website for the public to read and view.

Download: The STRAITS TIMES THOMAS CUP Souvenir - Malayan Badminton Team 1948-49


The STRAITS TIMES THOMAS CUP Souvenir - Malayan Badminton Team 1948-49 Cover Page

Visit of participants of TAFISA Certified Leadership Course in Sport for All to the OCM Museum and Hall of Fame

On the evening of 8th May 2010, the participants of the Certified Leadership course in Sport for All organized a Farewell Dinner at Level 2C, Wisma OCM, Kuala Lumpur. Before the start of the Dinner, the participants of the Certified Leadership course in Sport for All, paid a visit to OCM Museum and Hall of Fame. The participants had an enjoyable time there, taking photographs.

The OCM Museum and Hall of Fame was established in December 2004, on the completion of Phase II of Wisma OCM. It is located on Level 2B in an area of about 8,000 sq. ft. The OCM Museum and Hall of Fame received a grant from NOC Legacy of Olympic Solidarity for its establishment.


Four participants of the Certified Leadership Course in Sport for All, from left, Mr. Nay Phonna (Cambodia), Mr. Masanori Tamazawa (Japan), Ms. Sun Jin-Kim and Ms. Claire Son (Korea)


Two participants of the Certified Leadership Course in the OCM Hall of Fame, Mr. Behzad Alemi (left) and Mr. Omidali Daftari, both from Iran


Group photograph of the participants in the OCM Museum and Hall of Fame.


Mr Omidali Daftari (Iran) in front of the IOC Trophy winners


Some participants: from left, Madam Kusum Bhardwaj, Mrs. Mrignaini Khullar, Dr. Rakesh Khullar (all India), Mr. Omidali Daftari and Mr. Behzad Alemi (both Iran)


Two participants in front of the OCM Hall of Fame, from left, Dr. Henry Codero Daut of Philippines (lecturer) and Mr. Kho Chin Hong of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia.


Mr. Behzad Alemi (Iran) in front of the IOC Trophy winners.