MALAYSIA: Active clubs must have bigger say

By S. Selvam

Principle: To ensure that they get more voting rights
THE more active the club, the higher the number of votes.

This, as far as Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar (pic) is concerned, is the principle behind the amendments to the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) constitution to give clubs voting rights.

The amendment, however, is not a blanket approval to give all clubs voting rights.

"The general principle behind the whole process is to give active clubs a say in the running of the sport," said Tunku Imran after launching Astro's 'Home of Sports' in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Astro, who are an official sponsor of the OCM, announced several new sports channels with the aim of providing the best and most comprehensive sports coverage in the country.

"The more active the club or affiliate, the higher the number of votes. However, the criteria to ensure only active clubs are rewarded with voting rights must be established.

"It (amendment) does not mean all clubs must be given the right to vote."

Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said, on Tuesday, endorsed the recommendation from the Sports Advisory Panel (SAP) to amend MTA's constitution to give clubs direct affiliation to the national body and voting rights.

Previously, clubs were not given voting rights and the constitution was amended to bar clubs from seeking direct affiliation to MTA as well.

"The SAP have recommended some criteria and OCM are ever willing to advise MTA on how to come up with the voting mechanism," added Tunku Imran who is also a member of the SAP.

"It could be based on 'x' number of membership, number of activities, number of national exponents produced and performance in the national and international circuit.

"For instance, if there is a club with 100 members and with very little activity as compared to a club which has 1,000 members and a lot of activity, I believe, the latter should be given more voting rights.

"As such, the amendments are to ensure active clubs are rewarded by way of voting rights. Otherwise, you will have a situation where an inactive club, with few members and without any performance to speak of, will have the same clout as an active affiliate."

And what about the State associations?

"Well, we want them to play the role of supporting the clubs, not as a governing body," said Tunku Imran.

"Sometimes the clubs are active but not the State association. And in such cases, the clubs don't have a say."

But not after MTA's constitution is amended.

Source from http://www.nst.com.my