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It’s all up to Shabery to clear things




CALLS are being made for Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek (pic) to step in and clear the air over the fuss in the local taekwondo scene since 2005, the year then Sports Comissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar decided to deregister the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA).

However, little can be expected from the minister as he seems to be rather vague about the whole situation. When asked what has caused the sport to be in turmoil and how can it be fi xed, Shabery had no relevant answer.

“The source of the whole problem is actually coming from outside. With the establishment of the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) and the Global Taekwondo Federation (GTF), which are not recognised by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) — that’s where the problem is from. We cannot let external factors affect us,” said Shabery.

Yet, OCM president Tunku Imran Jaafar opined that with no settlement in sight, the best thing would be to consult Shabery. Of course, Tunku Imran is unaware of Shabery’s apparent shallow knowledge of the matter. In what has been a string of topsyturvy events, OCM recently declared that taekwondo was still not legitimate to participate in this year’s Laos Sea Games.

This following a general assembly held over the weekend where State affiliates rejected a proposal to adopt an amended constitution for the association. Delegates voted 8-1 against adopting the constitution which would have allowed clubs to become votebearing affiliates, alongside the states.

The nine states were Kedah, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Terengganu and Sarawak. With the Sea Games a little over a month away, the verdict by Tunku Imran is definitely going to result in a huge blow for the national team who have just come back from the World Championships in Denmark.

“Under the current conditions and circumstances, it is regrettable that I have to say that they cannot compete in this year’s Sea Games. The ad hoc committee have been running taekwondo on behalf of MTA but with the rejection of the proposal, MTA remain suspended.

“OCM will try to find a way to let the athletes participate but the chances of that happening are very slim,” said Tunku Imran.- MMAIL

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