MALAYSIA: It's all down to you, MTA

Comment by S. SELVAM
May 8

THE line separating defiance and standing up to one's rights is so fine that it sometimes becomes blurred. As it is between being arrogance and clever.

And in the case of the de-registered Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA), the perception would depend on one's point of view or one's allegiance to the warring factions, in this case, MTA and the Sports Commissioner's office.

MTA's defiant stand, which eventually led to their de-registration, to some, will be a case of an association fighting to save their sport. To the detractors, it is one of sheer arrogance.

MTA were de-registered by Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar on Friday for hindering the development of the sport as they have set too many conditions in admitting the clubs to their voting structure.

As for Elyas' detractors, it would be a case of the Government trying to interfere in the autonomy of MTA. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Was Elyas right in revoking MTA's registration? Were MTA right in being defiant?

There is simply no right and wrong answer to that one.

But one thing is for sure, the sport is going to suffer if a solution is not found, and more importantly, one that is accepted to all parties, as soon as possible.

If MTA stay de-registered, 17 taekwondo exponents who were only admitted to the Bukit Jalil Sports School last month, after several years of trying to get taekwondo included, have to move out.

So will the two elite athletes groomed to win medals at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, and another 10 exponents in the backup squad.

Which is why it is imperative for MTA president Ho Kam Phaw to appeal to Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said to 're-register" MTA.

The sport's fate, amazingly, is still very much in MTA's hands. A fact which even Elyas and Azalina will attest to.

After all, some of the 29 district and State associations that were de-registered two months ago are on the verge of being re-registered after successful appeals.

All Elyas asked for, and rightly so, is to give active and performing clubs a say in the decision making process of MTA.

So instead of adopting a confrontational attitude, it is time for MTA to take a more conciliatory approach.

Dropping their legal action could be one way. Giving a written guarantee that clubs will be given a say, even if it is five votes, could be another.

Whatever it is, the matter is out of Elyas' hands. But the ball is very much at MTA's feet.


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