Prince Imran, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is currently the vice-president and now wants to succeed Jamaica's Mike Fennell in the top position.

Fennell has led the CGF since being elected at Victoria in 1994 but has not declared publicly whether he plans to stand again at this year's elections, due to be held at the CGF's meeting at St Kitts and Nevis from November 11 to 13.

"Fennell had voiced his intention to step down after the New Delhi Commonwealth Games last year, after holding the post for 17 years," said Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, the secretary of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

"If Tunku Imran wins, he will become the first International Olympic Committee (IOC) member elected as the CGF president, which will give a new height to the Federation."

Prince Imran, 63, who has been a member of the IOC since 2006, is a former Malaysian squash champion and was President of the International Squash Rackets Federation from 1989 to 1996.

A graduate of Nottingham University, he is a qualified barrister and he has been President of the OCM since 1998.

The launch of Prince Imran''s candidature is due to be formally announced during the CGF's Executive Board meeting in Kuala Lumpur next month.

"We hope that the federation, made up of 71 members of the former British Empire, will unanimously support Tuanku Imran," said Chi.

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