MALAYSIA: OCM and WTF constitutions not helping 'peace efforts'

S. Selvam
Oct 31

THE constitutions of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) are on a collision course, and this could lead to a delay in getting the newly endorsed national body affiliated to the OCM and WTF.

This is because the OCM's constitution states that for a sports body to be recognised as the governing body for a particular sport, that body must first be recognised by the international federation concerned, and in this case, it is the WTF.

The WTF's rules and regulations, however, state that for a governing body to be accepted as a member of the WTF, it has to be first accepted by the national Olympic committee concerned, and in this case, it is the OCM.

And it is a predicament that was acknowledged by OCM deputy president Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan and vice-president W.Y. Chin.

"Our (OCM) constitution states that a sports body must first be affiliated to the international body before we recognise it as a governing body for a particular sport," said Jegathesan when asked to comment about the Sports Commissioner's approval of the Malaysian Taekwondo Federation (MTF) as a national body for taekwondo in the country.

"However, we are also aware that the WTF constitution states that the national body must first be accepted as a member of the NOC (National Olympic Committee, which is OCM).

"As such, we need to discuss this further (to recognise the MTF as the national body for taekwondo in Malaysia)."

The MTF is seeking to replace the de-registered Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) as the new governing body for the sport in the country.

Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar approved MTF's application on Oct 14 after holding a public hearing that gave all interested parties, from State associations, clubs to parents, an opportunity to present their views.

The MTF is seeking to be the governing body for taekwondo in the country using the WTF-system.

Only the WTF-system taekwondo is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Chin also gave a similar clarification and said it was now up to the parties concerned to find an amicable solution.

"Hopefully, a solution can be found to bring to an end this long-drawn dispute," said Chin.

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