KUALA LUMPUR − The newly-formed Malaysian Sepaktakraw Confederation (MSC) is “surprised” that it has yet to be accepted as an affiliate member of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
After being recognised by two international parent bodies − the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (Astaf) and the International Sepaktakraw Federation (Istaf) − MSC said it only wanted to be part of OCM to further its mission of empowering the traditional sport.
MSC president Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman said the confederation respected the authority of OCM to continue endorsing the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association (PSM) but at the same time felt “confused” as it has yet to receive an answer on its application.
He hoped OCM would soon accept MSC as, technically − based on OCM’s constitution − PSM is not qualified to be an affiliate member of OCM following its removal from Astaf and Istaf.
“We (MSC) have written a letter as required, and we have complied with the criteria, so we are now waiting for news from OCM. On our part, we have followed all the directives and all the requirements, we have fulfilled everything already, so we leave it to OCM now,” he said at an MSC media get-together on Monday followed by a breaking of fast.
For the record, MSC was confirmed as a new member of Astaf on March 5 before being accepted as a member of the Istaf coalition effective April 4. Astaf revoked PSM’s membership in May last year.
Commenting further, Suhaili said although MSC was still capable of participating in any international championships endorsed by Astaf and Istaf, they could not prepare athletes for the SEA Games and Asian Games until they were accepted by OCM.
He added that at the moment, MSC was focusing on preparing the team for the sepak takraw event in the 20th edition of Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) organised by the Malaysian Sports Council (MSN) in the Klang Valley.
“We plan to organise a pre-Sukma competition following a mandate given by the Sports Commissioner (PJS) and the MSN for MSC to handle Sukma and also the Malaysia Sepaktakraw League (MSL),” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the MSC will table its 2022-2025 action plan to develop sepak takraw as the main agenda after it was agreed upon by the Youth and Sports minister, MSN and PJS. – Bernama, April 13, 2022
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