IOC Backs Ng Amid Controversy

It says the Singaporean fulfilled disclosure obligations and allegations are unfounded

- Kimberly Kwek

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defended its member and former vice-president Ng Ser Miang following allegations of potential conflicts of interest in e-sports initiatives and related business activities.

The defence comes in response to a complaint reported by German investigative news outlet Sport & Politics on Aug 12, alleging the veteran sports administrator to have "mixed his many positions with family business in several respects in connection with e-sports, the Olympic Esports Week and the Olympic Esports Games".

In response to queries from The Straits Times, an IOC spokesperson said: "For many years, all IOC members have been required to declare their interests in companies, sports organisations and not-for-profit entities. This is to avoid any actual or perceived risk of conflict of interest when the IOC engages with any third party.

"Mr Ser Miang Ng, like all IOC members, has fulfilled his obligations. Therefore, the allegations made in this complaint are unfounded. There is no basis whatsoever to these claims, since there is full transparency through the IOC Declaration of Interests Form."

The report by Sport & Politics detailed a complaint submitted to the IOC Ethics Commission against the 76-year-old, who has been an IOC member since 1998 and served two terms as vice-president from 2009 to 2013 and 2020 to 2024.