KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) has been given until June to resolve their internal problems if the taekwondo sport are to be included in the 2010 Melaka SUKMA.
Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the decision was made to give exponents under MTA a chance to compete in the SUKMA that has been fixed from May 28 to June 6, 2010.
"I am confident Sports Commissioner (SC) Datuk Nik Mahmud Nik Yusof can resolve the issue successfully by June," he told reporters after chairing a SUKMA committee meeting in Parliament here Thursday.
He added that the MTA, the Malaysian Taekwondo Clubs Association (MTCA) and the Malaysian Taekwondo Federation (MTF) had agreed to form a joint committee to try and resolve differences that existed among the three.
Ismail Sabri said the MTA issue has to be solved so that it would not hinder the progress of taekwondo exponents who are identified to compete in international competitions.
"Taekwondo need to be given attention as it is among sports that has a potential to contribute medals for the country," he said.
MTA was deregistered in mid 2005 by former Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar for apparently hindering the development of the sport but former Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said reinstated the MTA's status in June 2007.
However, some officials who were not happy with the reinstatement of MTA, filed a complaint with the SC's office and the status of the association remains hanging in the balance.
Meanwhile, Melaka state executive councillor for Welfare, Unity, Youth and Sports Datuk (Capt) Ab. Karim Sulaiman said due to the economic crisis, the organising cost of the SUKMA has been reduced to RM30 million.
"But despite the reduced budget, the quality and glamour of the Games will not be affected," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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