Sunday May 8, 2005
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) can seek assistance from the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to help them get re-registered with the Sports Commissioner’s Office, OCM president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar said.
“We want them to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Our position is to try and help in the matter as much as we can,” he told reporters after chairing the 136th OCM council meeting here yesterday.
He said it was important to re-register the MTA as any delay in the matter would only affect the preparation of athletes who were going for any international championship or tournament.
“It is the athletes who will suffer eventually.
“They cannot compete in international championships and it may even affect their preparations for the SEA Games (in Manila in November). There may be problems in selection,” he said.
Tunku Imran said OCM would help the MTA, the national body affiliated to the Seoul-based World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and the only body recognised by the International Olympic Committee. – Bernama
Source from http://www.thestar.com.my
Sunday, May 08, 2005
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
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
Saturday, May 07, 2005
MALAYSIA: Bleak day for taekwondo
Saturday May 7, 2005
KUALA LUMPUR: The troubled Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) was de-registered by the Sports Commissioner yesterday – on the eve of the sport's national championships.
Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar said the decision to de-register the association was made because the national body for taekwondo had become a “hindrance” to the development of the sport in the country.
He said MTA had 30 days from yesterday to appeal against the decision to the Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said.
“After considering all the facts and the implications for the sport, I have no choice but to de-register MTA according to Section 20 (1) (e) of the Sports Development Act 1997,” he told reporters at a press conference in his office at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Under the law, the Sports Commissioner may revoke or suspend the registration of a sports body if the Commissioner is satisfied that the sports body is hindering the development of the particular sport and it is in the public interest to revoke or suspend its registration.
MTA is a national body affiliated to the Seoul-based World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).
Elyas also distributed to the reporters photocopies of the 13-page MTA deregistration report and the reasons for the de-registration.
He said the trouble started last year and involved MTA affiliated members – 17 full members and 49 associate members – because the associate members did not have voting rights.
“The associate members tried to fight for their rights by forming 'associate clubs of MTA' and 'associate clubs committee'.
“MTA responded by firing the club's founder. Following this, MTA president (Tan Sri Mohd Ghazali Seth) and his deputy (Datuk Mohd Nazim Abdul Razak) stepped down last November,” he said.
The championships, meanwhile, will go on with a state body taking over the organisation. The weighing-in for the various weight categories was held yesterday.
Source from http://www.thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: The troubled Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) was de-registered by the Sports Commissioner yesterday – on the eve of the sport's national championships.
Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar said the decision to de-register the association was made because the national body for taekwondo had become a “hindrance” to the development of the sport in the country.
He said MTA had 30 days from yesterday to appeal against the decision to the Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said.
“After considering all the facts and the implications for the sport, I have no choice but to de-register MTA according to Section 20 (1) (e) of the Sports Development Act 1997,” he told reporters at a press conference in his office at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Under the law, the Sports Commissioner may revoke or suspend the registration of a sports body if the Commissioner is satisfied that the sports body is hindering the development of the particular sport and it is in the public interest to revoke or suspend its registration.
MTA is a national body affiliated to the Seoul-based World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).
Elyas also distributed to the reporters photocopies of the 13-page MTA deregistration report and the reasons for the de-registration.
He said the trouble started last year and involved MTA affiliated members – 17 full members and 49 associate members – because the associate members did not have voting rights.
“The associate members tried to fight for their rights by forming 'associate clubs of MTA' and 'associate clubs committee'.
“MTA responded by firing the club's founder. Following this, MTA president (Tan Sri Mohd Ghazali Seth) and his deputy (Datuk Mohd Nazim Abdul Razak) stepped down last November,” he said.
The championships, meanwhile, will go on with a state body taking over the organisation. The weighing-in for the various weight categories was held yesterday.
Source from http://www.thestar.com.my
MALAYSIA:MTA de-registered
By S. Selvam
May 7:
THE Malaysian Taekwondo Association — through their sheer defiance — were de-registered yesterday by Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar, making it the first national body to be struck off since the introduction of the Sports Development Act in 1997.
The national body have 30 days to appeal to Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said against the revocation.
"Having considered carefully the case of MTA in relation to their constitutional amendments, in particular to the offending provisions in Article 5.8 and 6.4 of the amendment, as well as the reply from MTA to the show cause letter, the Sports Commissioner has come to the conclusion that there are compelling reasons to invoke Clause 20 (1) (e) and to revoke the registration of MTA with effect from today (yesterday)," said Elyas at his office in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Clause 20(1)(e) of the Sports Act states that the Commissioner may revoke or suspend the registration of a sports body if the Commissioner is satisfied that such a sports body is hindering the development of the particular sport and it is in the public interest to revoke or suspend its registration.
The critical issue underlying the MTA case revolved around the voting rights of the clubs, described by MTA as associate members.
Although clubs are the biggest contributors of monies and suppliers of exponents to the national teams, they don’t have a voice when it comes to the decision making process of MTA. Despite a directive from Azalina and Elyas’ personal efforts in organising a dialogue and presenting several models of governance granting clubs voting rights, MTA, helmed by president Ho Kam Phaw and chairman Chin Mee Keong, never got around to complying with the directive.
Article 5.8 of MTA’s amendment reads: "Club shall mean a taekwondo (MTA/WTF) club duly registered with the Sports Commissioner of Malaysia under the Sports Development Act 1997, whose instructors are registered with the Association and licensed to promote, propagate and teach the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) system."
Article 6.4, on the other hand, states that the General Council may admit membership from duly constituted club as herein before defined.
The General Council may at their absolute discretion deem fit admit a club as a member with or without voting rights depending on the criteria the General Council may formulate from time to time. And as far as Elyas is concerned, these amendments imposed too many pre-conditions on clubs and even then, left the clubs with no assurance that they will be given voting rights or of their status with the association.
"Rather than adopting a positive approach by offering incentives in the form of easy passage to membership with voting rights to dynamic, active and high performance clubs, the MTA had chosen to adopt a negative and obstructionist approach."
However, it could not be determined if MTA officials had received Elyas’ decision as Sports Commission officials could not contact them. The MTA office in Wisma OCM was also closed in the afternoon.
Source from http://www.nst.com.my
May 7:
THE Malaysian Taekwondo Association — through their sheer defiance — were de-registered yesterday by Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar, making it the first national body to be struck off since the introduction of the Sports Development Act in 1997.
The national body have 30 days to appeal to Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said against the revocation.
"Having considered carefully the case of MTA in relation to their constitutional amendments, in particular to the offending provisions in Article 5.8 and 6.4 of the amendment, as well as the reply from MTA to the show cause letter, the Sports Commissioner has come to the conclusion that there are compelling reasons to invoke Clause 20 (1) (e) and to revoke the registration of MTA with effect from today (yesterday)," said Elyas at his office in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Clause 20(1)(e) of the Sports Act states that the Commissioner may revoke or suspend the registration of a sports body if the Commissioner is satisfied that such a sports body is hindering the development of the particular sport and it is in the public interest to revoke or suspend its registration.
The critical issue underlying the MTA case revolved around the voting rights of the clubs, described by MTA as associate members.
Although clubs are the biggest contributors of monies and suppliers of exponents to the national teams, they don’t have a voice when it comes to the decision making process of MTA. Despite a directive from Azalina and Elyas’ personal efforts in organising a dialogue and presenting several models of governance granting clubs voting rights, MTA, helmed by president Ho Kam Phaw and chairman Chin Mee Keong, never got around to complying with the directive.
Article 5.8 of MTA’s amendment reads: "Club shall mean a taekwondo (MTA/WTF) club duly registered with the Sports Commissioner of Malaysia under the Sports Development Act 1997, whose instructors are registered with the Association and licensed to promote, propagate and teach the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) system."
Article 6.4, on the other hand, states that the General Council may admit membership from duly constituted club as herein before defined.
The General Council may at their absolute discretion deem fit admit a club as a member with or without voting rights depending on the criteria the General Council may formulate from time to time. And as far as Elyas is concerned, these amendments imposed too many pre-conditions on clubs and even then, left the clubs with no assurance that they will be given voting rights or of their status with the association.
"Rather than adopting a positive approach by offering incentives in the form of easy passage to membership with voting rights to dynamic, active and high performance clubs, the MTA had chosen to adopt a negative and obstructionist approach."
However, it could not be determined if MTA officials had received Elyas’ decision as Sports Commission officials could not contact them. The MTA office in Wisma OCM was also closed in the afternoon.
Source from http://www.nst.com.my
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
MALAYSIA: 33 clubs take up Elyas’ advice
S. Selvam
May 4:
SPORTS Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar’s advice to taekwondo clubs to register with his office is gaining momentum.
As at April 30, 33 clubs had applied to the Sports Commissioner’s office to be registered which is a huge improvement considering none of the 40-strong Malaysian Taekwondo Association’s (MTA) associate members (clubs) did so just two and a half months ago.
And Assistant Sports Commissioner 1, Asmadi Mohamad believes, given time, more clubs will come forward to register with the Commissioner’s office.
"As at April 30, 33 clubs have applied to the Sports Commissioner’s office for registration," said Asmadi when met at the Commissioner’s office in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
"However, the number could be more as some of the applications may be with the Sports Commissioner (Elyas) or Principal Assistant Sports Commissioner (Raja Abdul Kadir Raja Omar).
"We are processing the applications and as soon as they are approved, we will inform the clubs."
The MTA have a successful club structure that has produced many national exponents but the clubs have been unable to have a say in the running of the association as they don't have voting rights.
In fact, some of these clubs are more active, if not equally so, than the State associations and provide the bulk of exponents for the national team and organise their own competitions.
There are also clubs that send their promising athletes for competitions abroad without depending on the national body for financial assistance.
However, one of the arguments in support of not granting the clubs voting rights is that the clubs are registered with the Registrar of Business (ROB) and are not deemed as pure sports clubs.
But Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said issued a directive to the MTA to give clubs direct affiliation and voting rights in January and Elyas followed up with a dialogue on Feb 16 and presented the association with five models of governance, all granting clubs voting rights.
But Elyas also spelt out one condition — only clubs that are registered with his office will be able to enjoy these privileges (direct affiliation with voting rights).
And to date, 33 of the clubs have heeded Elyas’ call.
Source from http://www.nst.com.my
May 4:
SPORTS Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar’s advice to taekwondo clubs to register with his office is gaining momentum.
As at April 30, 33 clubs had applied to the Sports Commissioner’s office to be registered which is a huge improvement considering none of the 40-strong Malaysian Taekwondo Association’s (MTA) associate members (clubs) did so just two and a half months ago.
And Assistant Sports Commissioner 1, Asmadi Mohamad believes, given time, more clubs will come forward to register with the Commissioner’s office.
"As at April 30, 33 clubs have applied to the Sports Commissioner’s office for registration," said Asmadi when met at the Commissioner’s office in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
"However, the number could be more as some of the applications may be with the Sports Commissioner (Elyas) or Principal Assistant Sports Commissioner (Raja Abdul Kadir Raja Omar).
"We are processing the applications and as soon as they are approved, we will inform the clubs."
The MTA have a successful club structure that has produced many national exponents but the clubs have been unable to have a say in the running of the association as they don't have voting rights.
In fact, some of these clubs are more active, if not equally so, than the State associations and provide the bulk of exponents for the national team and organise their own competitions.
There are also clubs that send their promising athletes for competitions abroad without depending on the national body for financial assistance.
However, one of the arguments in support of not granting the clubs voting rights is that the clubs are registered with the Registrar of Business (ROB) and are not deemed as pure sports clubs.
But Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said issued a directive to the MTA to give clubs direct affiliation and voting rights in January and Elyas followed up with a dialogue on Feb 16 and presented the association with five models of governance, all granting clubs voting rights.
But Elyas also spelt out one condition — only clubs that are registered with his office will be able to enjoy these privileges (direct affiliation with voting rights).
And to date, 33 of the clubs have heeded Elyas’ call.
Source from http://www.nst.com.my
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