SC Wants Ad-Hoc Committee To Resolve MTA Issue Quickly

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- Sports Commissioner Datuk Nik Mahmud Nik Yusof wants the ad-hoc committee that was formed to resolve the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) crisis to expedite the setting up of a new MTA.

"I have sent a letter to the ad-hoc committee on Monday to speed up the process. Even Youth and Sports minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek was not happy with the ad-hoc committee's pace in handling the matter.

"I want the ad-hoc committee to give us a time frame to hold the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) and Annual General Meeting (AGM) so that the issue can be resolved quickly," Nik Mahmud told Bernama after handing out registration certificates to 20 sports associations and sports clubs here Friday.

Among those who received their certificates were Motorsports Association of Malaysia, Aikido Association of Malaysia, Selangor and Federal Territory Extreme Sports Associations and Petaling Jaya Silambam Club.

Nik Mahmud was confident that the new initiative and development would help resolve MTA's issues so that national athletes can continue to compete at international competitions.

The ad-hoc committee, chaired by Olympic Council of Malaysia President Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar, also comprises representatives of MTA, rival bodies, the Malaysian Taekwondo Federation and the Malaysian Taekwondo Club Association, National Sports Council and the Sports and Education ministries.

"The committee will be tasked to formulate a new constitution to get the national body back on its feet, application of new members and the holding of an election to elect new office bearers," he said.

During MTA's crisis in 2004, its President Jimmy Choo tendered his resignation while the then Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar deregistered the association in 2005 although former Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said decided to reinstate MTA's status after an appeal.

However, Nik Mahmud suspended MTA indefinitely, pending the formulation of a new constitution by an ad-hoc committee.

He wants the MTA, embroiled in constitution, membership and leadership disputes since June 2004 and which led to its initial suspension in 2005, to start a new.

-- BERNAMA