MALAYSIA: MTA, MTF expected to merge soon

2007/07/08

The Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) and Malaysian Taekwondo Federation (MTF) are expected to merge once the Sports Commissioner’s Office irons out constitutional matters regarding the merger.

MTF vice-president Foong Wing Mon said when this is resolved, the new entity would register with the Sports Commissioner’s Office and hold a general meeting to elect new office bearers.

"When this happens, there will only be a single body to represent the interests of taekwondo exponents in the country. We are only awaiting further instructions from the Sports Commissioner’s Office," he said yesterday.

Foong said this when asked to comment on the MTA, which has been allowed to be active again after it made an appeal to Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said on Wednesday.

Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar had ordered the MTA to be deregistered on May 6, 2005 on the grounds that it was hampering the development of the sport.
According to Foong, efforts to revive the MTA were made three weeks ago following a meeting involving it, the MTF, the Malaysia Taekwondo Clubs Association and Azalina.

"In the meeting, Azalina pointed out that the MTA held the licence for any international participation by Malaysian exponents while the MTF looked after the sport in the country.

"Azalina described the MTA and MTF relationship akin to that of "a husband and wife". MTA and MTF agreed with her view and furthermore, the issues affecting the two organisations did not involve the members but a few officials only," he said.

Following the meeting, Azalina asked the Sports Commissioner’s Office to call the parties concerned to do the necessary to unite taekwondo exponents in the country under a single national sports association (NSA). — Bernama

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