KUALA LUMPUR - The Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) have been expelled from the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (ASTAF) with immediate effect.
ASTAF Disciplinary Committee chairman Yogender Singh Dahiya said in a statement today that the decision was reached after hearing the charges laid out by John Vijayan Vasavan, the prosecutor appointed by ASTAF.
“It is with utmost sadness that ASTAF made this painful decision, but it has to be done for the good of the sepak takraw fraternity. It is also to send a strong signal to the sporting fraternity that irresponsible behaviour will not be condoned,” he said.
However, he added that PSM would have 14 days to appeal against the sentence imposed. Failure to do so will result in PSM being deemed guilty and will be expelled immediately.
If PSM decide to appeal, the national sepak takraw governing body will have to pay a fee of US$2,000 (about RM8,290).
PSM have been found guilty following the action of their president Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail who sent a letter to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) which was also copied to the International Olympics Committee (IOC) in his capacity as ASTAF deputy president on Feb 24.
Yogender Singh said PSM were also found guilty of breaching the written undertakings given to the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) and ASTAF on March 14, 2008 “to support ISTAF and ASTAF to establish and maintain efficient administration of the federation.”
Ahmad Ismail, who is better known as ‘Tok Mat,’ was handed a 15-year ban from all sepak takraw activities starting May 6 by the ASTAF Disciplinary Committee on May 5. - Bernama. May 21, 2021
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