Friday, May 13, 2005

MALAYSIA: Azalina saves national junior meet

By S. Selvam
May 13:


STRIKING a blow for taekwondo, Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said, yesterday reinstated the National Junior Taekwondo Championships with the help of Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

The junior championships which will go on as scheduled on May 27-29, have the blessings of both the Sports Ministry and the State Government.

The organising committee, the Terengganu Taekwondo Association (TTA) will be given the necessary support to organise the three-day championships.

If anything, the decision whether to continue with the championships lies solely with TTA.

TTA president Datuk Razali Ismail could not be contacted for comment.

"We (Azalina and Idris) discussed the status of the championships and have no problems with the meet going on as scheduled," said Azalina yesterday.

"The de-registration of MTA (Malaysian Taekwondo Association, the sport’s governing body in the country) will not affect the tournament or the State as it is a different issue altogether.

"As is the suit filed against the Government. As such, the tournament should go on as planned.

"In fact, this was spelt out by the Sports Commissioner (Tan Sri Elyas Omar) as well when he revoked the registration of MTA."

The National Junior Championships, although they may be re-named, are hosted by TTA, an affiliate of MTA.

According to Elyas, taekwondo activities at the State, district and club levels can still go on as it is only MTA who are de-registered.

Malaysia’s participation at the international level, however, will be affected.

MTA chairman Chin Mee Keong announced the postponement on Monday citing Idris’ directive as the reason for the postponement.

Subsequently, several parents appealed to Azalina to intervene to save the championships as they have been preparing for the past five months.

According to the parents, tickets and room reservations have been made while several clubs even booked buses for the championships.

The parents also said that the children should not be the victims for the misdeeds of officials.

"We (Sports Ministry and State Government) have given the go ahead to the organisers to host the meet. It is now up to them," said Azalina.

Azalina and the State Government have done their part. It is now in TTA’s


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

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