MALAYSIA: Juniors’ hopes shattered

S. Selvam
Aug 20:

THE dreams and hopes of 14 junior taekwondo exponents were shattered when the Malaysians were barred from competing in the Asian Junior Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan late Thursday night.

Despite frantic appeals from Malaysian officials, the organisers, the Asian Taekwondo Union (ATU) could not accommodate the request as the decision to bar the Malaysian team was made by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

Malaysia was represented by the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) with a team of seven boys and seven girls.

"The WTF said that we cannot compete because we did not go through the national association, the MTA (Malaysian Taekwondo Association)," said coach K.M. Rajendran in a telephone interview from Almaty, Kazakhstan yesterday.

"As far as they (WTF) are concerned, no official notification has been sent to them informing of MTA's de-registration.

"As such, WTF still recognises MTA as the national association."

The MTA was de-registered on May 6 by Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar for hindering the development of the sport.

The MTA also did not make use of the 30-day window to appeal the decision. However, MTA has taken the matter to court and is currently waiting for their appeal to be heard in the Court of Appeal after their leave for judicial review was dismissed by the High Court on Aug 9.

"Although we explained that there was no national association as the MTA has been de-registered, it (the explanation) was not accepted," added Rajendran.

"We also showed the supporting letters from the OCM (Olympic Council of Malaysia) and NSC (National Sports Council) but to no avail.

"The students are demoralised and some are in tears as they will not be eligible (overage) for the next championships in 2007.

"We appealed, begged and tried everything possible but could not get the go-ahead to compete.

"I will be submitting a report to the NSC upon our return to KL (Kuala Lumpur) and whatever transpired here will be included in the report."

The team will return on Monday.

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