KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association’s (PSM) new leadership has pledged to resolve the problem it has with the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (Astaf) as quickly as possible.
Newly-elected PSM president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan, who won the post unopposed at the association’s annual general (AGM) meeting today, said he will be meeting with Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria and Sports Commissioner Ibrahim Mohd Yusof regarding the matter before meeting Astaf.
He said the new PSM leadership will then discuss the issue with Astaf president Datuk Halim Kadir and the committee members as soon as possible for it to rejoin the Asian parent body.
PSM were expelled as an affiliate member by Astaf on May 20 last after it was found to be in breach of protocols when former PSM president Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail, as Astaf Deputy President, sent a letter to the Olympic Council of Asia and copied to the International Olympic Committee, which Astaf deemed improper and brought disrepute to the game.
Ahmad, better known as Tok Mat, was suspended for 15 years before resigning as PSM president on June 4 last year after leading the association since 2002.
Mohd Sumali said that he hoped to restore the good name of PSM and rebuild good relations with Astaf.
“We also hope to see the game of sepak takraw progress and quality of the players in the country improve,” he said at a press conference after the AGM here today.
Meanwhile, Mohd Sumali said the direction of PSM for this year will be discussed at its highest committee meeting next week.
He also stressed that the PSM will appear with a new image without Tok Mat.
“The association will move forward without the shadow of Tok Mat hovering over it. Instead, we will only see the shadow of the sport,” he added.
The new PSM leadership line up (top posts):
President: Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan
Deputy Presidents: Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman; Datuk Seri Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan
Vice Presidents: Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abd Rahman; Datuk Awang Sham Amit and Datuk Abu Jimi Samat. – Bernama, February 12, 2022
