NGOs: Top officials must quit

Ahmad Nazli A Manaf (right), secretary of the coalition of NGOs, with Mohd Arafat Muhammad (centre) handing over the memorandum to BAM general manager Kenny Goh yesterday. — Picture by Mohd Yusni Ariffin

THERE has been another strong message from the public to the BA of Malaysia (BAM). About 200 people from a coalition of NGOs (non-governmental organisations) demanded that the top management of the BAM, including president Datuk Nadzmi Salleh, resign and stop blaming others for the association's failures.

The protestors, calling themselves Gabungan NGO CENTRAKL, turned up at the Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday. Mohd Arafat Muhammad, secretary, of the coalition, handed over a memorandum, which also touched on other matters affecting BAM and Malaysian badminton, to BAM general manager Kenny Goh.

The fans asked the present BAM officials to make way honourably and allow a new set of office bearers to take over.
They also want BAM to put its house in order and sort out the internal problems which saw the sacking of secretary P. Ganga Rao. They feel that this has affected the performances of the players.

The protestors urged BAM to unearth new talent and focus on making Malaysia a world class badminton nation again.

They also called for a thorough post-mortem to identify the reasons for the failures of the Thomas Cup team.

Arafat was accompanied by Gabungan NGO Malaysia vice president Datin Reny Rahayu Ishak and public complaints bureau chief Ahmad Nazli Manaf.

"We represent various NGOs and the public on the whole and want badminton to progress in a healthy environment in the country," said Arafat.

"There will be speculations that someone else who has ill feelings towards the current management is behind the gathering. We are only here for the nation's cause."

The NGOs have sent a strong message and Nadzmi should take it seriously. Kenny declined to comment on the issue

NST

Comments

Ex-coach's jail sentence cut to a year

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday sentenced former athletics coach C. Ramanathan to 12 months' jail for molesting two junior athletes 19 years ago. A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus unanimously dismissed Ramanathan's appeal against conviction, but varied the jail sentence of four years to a year, which was to run concurrently. Following yesterday's ruling, Ramanathan, 75, a former teacher, walked out a free man as he had served 10 months in Kajang Prison. Convicts get one-third remission for good behaviour while in prison. However, he will lose his pension. Hishamudin, who sat with Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Linton Albert, said the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. "However, in reducing the sentence, we considered Ramanathan's age and the long years the appeal has taken." Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that then High Court judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid E...

Govt Always Gives Emphasis To Sporting Culture, Says PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badaw i said the government always gives emphasis on cultivating a strong sporting culture in achieving excellence at the international level. As such, the Prime Minister said, it was important to scout for young talents in sports. "I observe that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has become one of the important platforms to do so. "In this arena, the potentials and skills of the youngsters can be identified for development so that they can achieve greater success in sports," he said in his message in the souvenir book of the 12th Sukma from May 31 until June 9. Abdullah said he was aware that competition in sports was very keen and challenging but this did not mean that Malaysian athletes were incapable of competing at the international level. "The fact is that we have all the characteristics required to be excellent. We must inculcate a strong fighting spirit so that we don't easily surrender,...

Chance to catch Messi and company

FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin with FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan LIONEL Messi's presence alone could sell half the tickets despite reigning world club champions FC Barcelona's date with a Malaysian XI at the National Stadium on Aug 10 falling on the third day of Hari Raya. The much anticipated visit of the four-time European champions comes with expectations from fans who want a full star-studded line-up. "The summer will be a busy period with a lot of uncertainty with players moving away and coming in. "But yes, our plans are to bring our full team here," said FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Rossich was speaking at the announcement of the friendly match, which is part of the three-match FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013, which sees the giants also visiting China and Thailand. Also pre...

Malaysian Sports - Today's back pages!

Search This Blog