MALAYSIA: Performance of clubs determines right to vote

By S. Selvam

MEMBERSHIP must not be the sole, or most important criteria, when determining voting rights for clubs or State associations.

Sports Advisory Panel chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad, in outlining the criterion, said membership could be manipulated, and as such, it would not be the best criteria to use in deciding voting rights.

Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said, in a decision that could shift the balance of power in national sports associations, on Tuesday ordered the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) to amend their constitution to allow clubs direct affiliation and voting rights, just like State affiliates.

And Ibrahim outlined the criterion.

"We have recommended several criteria as we don't want voting rights to be given to any club, clubs that may be formed for the sole purpose of acquiring voting rights," said Ibrahim yesterday.

"If this happens, then it defeats the whole purpose of giving voting rights to clubs.

"We want voting rights to be given to clubs that are properly registered and managed.

"Voting rights should also be based on performance like how the exponents of the clubs fare in national and international competitions.

"Another criteria will be whether these clubs produce athletes for the national team."

The bulk of national exponents are products of the club system, and in some cases, clubs are also the biggest contributors of grading levy when compared to State associations.

At the National Inter-Clubs Championships last month, only four State associations competed.

And on the international stage, clubs like Bangsar Taekwondo Fitness Centre, Koryo, Viva, TL, TTSC and Gemilang and State associations like Terengganu and Sabah have been responsible for producing medal winners.

However, exponents like Elaine Teo (Olympian and three-time Sea Games champion), Lee Wan Yuen (1998 Asian Games silver medal), Lim Yit Min (2003 Sea Games gold), Shahril Ismail (2002 World Junior Championships silver and 2004 World Junior Championships bronze), Ryan Chong (2003 Asian Junior Championships silver) and Noornadia Norrizan (2002 and 2004 Asean Taekwondo Championships gold) are all products of clubs.

"The clubs must also have good programmes in place and managed well," added Ibrahim.

"If there is no form of control, whether it is for State associations or clubs, then we may be back at square one."

And that is the last thing the MTA or the sport need.

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