Hamzah Abu Samah

Abu Samah (full name Abu Samah Tan Sri Hamzah and Tan Seri Hamzah bin Haji Abu Samah, * 1924, † 4 September 2012 in Kuala Lumpur ) was a Malaysian lawyer, politician and sports official and member of the IOC and Vice President of the FIFA.

Career

Abu Samah was a member of the British Bar Association Honorable Society of Gray's Inn, before he devoted his career in Malaysia, where he maintained his own law firm.

Political offices

  • Minister of Information and Broadcasting (1969-1971)
  • Minister of Youth and Sports (1971-1973)
  • Minister of Defence (1973-1974)
  • Minister of Trade and Industry (1974-1978)
  • Minister of Justice (1970-1980)

During the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in Malaysia in 1972, he served as Minister for the accompaniment of the queen.

Sports official

Abu Samah was from 1984/85 Member of the Commission of Law of the IOC from 1984 to 1987 worked with in the culture commission and from 1989 to 1998 member of the admission committee, before he was an honorary member of the IOC in 2004.

He was a long-time president - and later honorary president for life - the Olympic Council of Malaysia and studded with sporting organizations both within his native Malaysia and internationally numerous leadership positions. These were:

  • President of the Malaysian Cricket Association (1969-1990)
  • President of the Football Association of Malaysia (1976-1983)
  • President of the Asian Football Confederation (1978-1994)
  • Vice- President of FIFA (1982-1990)
  • President of the Malaysia Taekwondo Association (1987-1999)
September 4 International Olympic Committee
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