Khairy Jamaluddin was among 12 shortlisted by the Royal Malaysian Polo Association to represent Malaysia in an international sports tournament after qualifying for the 2017 SEA Games polo team. — Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 ― Khairy Jamaluddin might be the first Cabinet member to represent Malaysia as an athlete in an international sports tournament after qualifying for the 2017 SEA Games polo team.

News portal Astro Awani quoted the president of local polo club Putra Polo Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria as saying that the 40-year-old youth and sports minister was among 12 shortlisted by the Royal Malaysian Polo Association.

“Twelve players including Khairy Jamaluddin, including other professional players who performed at Korat, I believe and trust the selected players will be short-listed to represent the country,” Norza told Awani.

Korat refers to the 2007 SEA Games venue in Thailand, the last time the sports was included in the regional tournament, where Malaysia had won gold.

Norza, who is also the deputy president of the Malaysian Olympic Council, insisted that Khairy was selected based on merit.

Each polo team consists of four riders and their mounts.

Khairy will be captaining the Jogo Polo team in the Malaysian Open Polo Tournament this November 16.

Kuala Lumpur will play host to the 2017 SEA Games between August 19 and 31 next year.