SportSPORTCHECK: Azalina: Clubs still the way forward

New Straits Times » S. Selvam Feb 16:
CLUBS, even as the definition and right to vote are heatedly contested, are the key to the future of Malaysian sports.

Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said believes the present State-based system has not taken Malaysian sports farther than it should. As such, the time has come for some soul searching and review of the present structure."The clubs are the key to the future of Malaysian sports. Clubs are the source of talents and success of countries in Europe, and I believe they have a major role to play here as well," said Azalina after officiating the dialogue on Role of clubs in Malaysian sports at the International Youth Centre in Cheras yesterday.Organised by the Sports Commissioner’s office, the dialogue was for representatives of the 45 national sports associations in the country."The present system does not seem able to take us to the next level and we have to look at a new approach," added Azalina."Without the clubs, there can be no competitions at the districts or grassroots levels. And since the focus on the eight core sports is to go right to the grassroots, we need the clubs."The question, it seems, is whether to give clubs voting rights or not. And if yes, how many votes should be given."At the dialogue, Sports Commissioner Tan Sri Elyas Omar presented five different models to incorporate the clubs into the present sports structure as well as a formula to grant clubs voting rights."The fear, it would seem, is that a small club may out-vote a State or who will out-vote whom. But we are not interested in any party or body out-voting the other," said Elyas."It is about everybody having a say in the management of the sport."In the centre of the controversy is the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) which have been ordered by Azalina to amend its constitution to grant clubs voting rights.But MTA’s extraordinary general council (EGC) meeting on Feb 1 failed to come to a compromise and a dialogue will be held today between Elyas, MTA and its affiliates."I’m not here to take sides but whatever action taken will be for the best interest of sports," said Elyas."Not all clubs will be eligible for voting rights as it will depend on which category the club falls in."If it is a Category C club, it will only be affiliated to the district association. But if it is a Category A club, it will be affiliated directly to the national body.Only trouble is, MTA seem to have a hard time accepting it.