Taekwondo: Warring factions make peace

SPORTS Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic) has won the first round in the battle to get all warring parties in taekwondo to agree to unite under the Malaysia Taekwondo Association (MTA).

It is reliably learnt that the MTA has agreed to be suspended, which will then be followed by Ismail Sabri, under the Sports Development Act, forming an ad-hoc committee headed by Sports Commissioner Datuk Nik Mahmud Nik Yusof.

It is also understood that Raja Taharuddin Raja Nong Chik and Dominic Song, the former president and chairman of MTA who were forced to relinquish their positions as the Sports Commissioner's Office recognised an earlier set of office bearers as the rightful council, will also be included in the ad-hoc committee.

This led to the ousted committee initiating legal action but it is learnt that Ismail Sabri ordered all parties to drop all court action as a pre-requisite.

The Malaysia Taekwondo Clubs Association (MTCA), representatives from the present MTA and Malaysia Taekwondo Federation (MTF) will also be represented in the ad-hoc committee which has been given a March deadline to settle the problem.
"All the representatives from MTA, MTCA and MTF have agreed that there should be only one body to represent taekwondo in the country," said Ismail Sabri after meeting the parties at Parliament yesterday.

"I told them that I don't want to know about their constitutions and legal matters. I want the office bearers to forget the past and start a new chapter as far as taekwondo is concerned.

"If they want to continue to fight the issues based on legal matters, then we are back to square one and there will be no solution."

Ismail Sabri has given the MTA factions two weeks to withdraw all legal suits.

"They have to sign a letter which will be prepared by the Sports Commissioner's Office stating they have agreed to work hand in hand."

The Sports Commissioner's Office convened a working committee comprising representatives of MTA, MTCA and MTF and the first meeting was held on Nov 12.

"This problem has been around since 2005 and after three years, we have come to a solution that can be successful," added Ismail Sabri.

"Our interest is about safeguarding the sport and to make sure that the sport grows. I am confident that the parties will work together as it is their credibility which is at stake. I expect them to honour what they have promised."

Ismail Sabri also said that if everything goes as planned, taekwondo will be reinstated in the 2010 Malaysia Games.

However, while Ismail Sabri is confident that a solution is in sight, whatever amendments to the MTA constitution will need the support of MTA's affiliates -- the states -- and that could be a lesson in futility.

Still, the minister is confident and hopefully, the ad-hoc committee unearths a formula which will safeguard the interests of all parties.

NST