KUALA LUMPUR: Former national hockey player Arrifin Ghani has been appointed the new sports commissioner effective today.
The appointment, on a two-year contract, sees Arrifin succeeding Suhardi Alias.
A national player from 1989 to 1993, Arrifin previously served with the National Sports Council.
He is a law graduate and was recognised as a sports alumni icon by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
He is also the second former national athlete to be appointed to the post after Zaiton Othman in 1982.
Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh congratulated Arrifin on his appointment and expressed confidence in his capabilities.
“I’m confident he will strengthen national sports bodies thanks to his experience on the field, in sports administration, and academia,” she said in a statement.
“I wish him all the best.”