By K.M. Boopathy
Feb 8:
SPORTS Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar will, if need be, invoke the Sports Development Act and amend the Malaysian Taekwondo Association's (MTA) constitution but he is giving them one more chance to come good. Elyas has called for a forum with MTA, their State affiliates and clubs on Feb 16 and he will let all have their say.
More importantly, Elyas is going to say his piece as well.
"The Sports Commissioner has the authority to impose the Sports Development Act and amend the constitution. But I want the association (MTA) to do it," said Elyas yesterday.
MTA were instructed by Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said to amend their constitution to give clubs voting rights and an extraordinary general council (EGC) meeting was held last Tuesday to do that.
However, instead of tabling the amendments, MTA gave their affiliates 30 days to discuss the amendments and return with their feedback.
This was in direct violation of Azalina's instruction and MTA can, if Elyas chooses to do so, be suspended for hindering the progress of the sport.
"As I said, the Sports Commissioner is empowered to take action but let us wait for the forum.
"The MTA, State associations and all clubs (under MTA-WTF) are invited for the dialogue. This is where the clubs are free to express their views.
"I will also make my own recommendations and views on this matter. We will see what happens from there."
The dialogue will be held at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil.
The issue blew up when MTA president Ho Kam Phaw said in December that the clubs were the reason for taekwondo's slide in recent years.
He didn't, however, acknowledge the fact that clubs have dominated the various national level championships in recent times and the number of club-bred athletes who have won medals on the international scene.
In fact, MTA even amended their constitution last December where the clubs, who have direct affiliation with the national body but not voting rights, would be sent back to the districts.
This attracted the attention of the Sports Advisory Panel, who summoned MTA officials for a hearing where they were told the constitution would have to be amended allowing clubs not only direct affiliation but also voting rights.
MTA have been arguing the clubs are actually business entities as they are registered with the Registrar of Businesses (ROB) but this again is something the national association must change by amending their constitution and allowing the clubs to register with the Sports Commissioner's office.
As Elyas said, everything is in MTA's hands.
Source from http://www.nst.com.my
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