Weightlifting: Zafarul to chart MWF future

Zafarul Akbar Kassim (left).

KUALA Lumpur businessman Zafarul Akbar Kassim ousted long-serving Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong as president of the Malaysia Weightlifting Federation (MWF) at its annual general meeting-cum-elections in Malacca on Sunday.
Zafarul, who is the KL Weightlifting Association (KLWA) president, received the majority of support from the 16 affiliates to replace Boon Leong who has served MWF for more than two decades.

Boon Leong's defeat triggered the withdrawal of another experienced official Roslan Othman, the incumbent secretary, who also called it a day although he was nominated to contest for the position. Roslan's withdrawal led to the other nominee, Ismail Khamis, being announced as the secretary unopposed.

According to the MWF constitution, the nomination of the candidates is done during the elections.

Zainuddin Rashidi (Kedah), Philip Gisen (Sabah), Duang Sitang (Labuan) and Zainuddin Joseph (Pahang) were elected as vice presidents.

Zafarul, 40, said his primary objective is to focus on development and create a bigger pool of back-up weightlifters who can become able replacements for the current batch.

"Datuk Gan has served MWF well for more than 20 year but a change in leadership is inevitable in order to move forward," said Zafarul.

"My objective is to focus primarily on development so that we have a pool of top class weightlifters coming through the ranks on a regular basis.

"We are doing it in KLWA and I want this to continue at national level.

"Since the elite level is getting a massive boost from the Sports Ministry and National Sports Council (NSC), the onus is on MWF to focus on development."

The exco members will be appointed at a later date.

The office bearers -- President: Zafarul Akbar Kassim;; Vice-presidents: Zainuddin Rashidi, Philip Gisen, Duang Sitang, Zainuddin Joseph; Secretary: Ismail Khamis; Asst: Ahmad Janius; Treasurer: Jeganathan; Asst: Welly Weley Yutah.

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