Kuala lumpur: Good news for the Malaysia Handball Federation (MAHF) as the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) is considering lifting the suspension on the federation, allowing athletes and officials to participate in the SEA Games in Thailand later this year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, OCM president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria stated that it is time for handball to return to the mainstream and ensure that athletes and officials are not penalized for the issues that previously affected MAHF. He mentioned, “Recently, we met with the federation and are considering allowing them back and lifting the suspension because we understand they went through a difficult process earlier.”

Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria emphasized the importance of not letting the athletes and officials suffer due to past issues, expressing a desire to reintegrate the sport into the mainstream. He also indicated the possibility of sending the Malaysian handball team to the SEA Games and other upcoming tournaments.

Previously, OCM secretary-general Datuk Mohd Nasir Ali had informed that Malaysia would participate in all events at the 2025 SEA Games except handball. This decision stemmed from past financial issues, as in 2021, the then-OCM secretary-general Datuk Nazifuddin Mohd Najib announced that MAHF was removed as an OCM affiliate after failing to settle debts related to the national handball squad’s participation at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.