KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has instructed the sports commissioner to investigate more than a thousand sports associations that have been reported to be inactive.
He said the commissioner must ensure that these associations actively conduct meetings and organise sports activities related to each association’s respective sport.
“If you are setting up a sports association only to host jamuan Aidilfitri (Aidilfitri banquet) instead of holding a general meeting or any sports-related activities, you might as well just call yourselves a persatuan penduduk (residents association).
“If you establish the association just to hold positions like the president or chairman, then don’t waste your time.
“If you want to establish a football association, then football activities must be carried out. The same goes for other sports,” he said.
Recently, it was reported that 1,806 sports associations in the country were found to be “missing” after they failed to send reports on their annual general meetings to the commissioner for three consecutive years.
This is part of the ministry’s requirements for evaluating governance and the extent to which the associations are active.
Faizal was speaking to the press after launching the 100 Days’ Countdown for the 20th edition of the Malaysian Games (Sukma) in Putrajaya today.
A total of 31 sports – from the initially proposed two – will be contested in the biennial national multi-sport event organised by the National Sports Council, which is scheduled for September 16 to 24.
Faizal added that the additional 10 games – netball, basketball, volleyball, judo, canoeing, petanque, golf, cricket, tennis, and e-sports – were agreed upon after all state associations requested for more sports to be included in the games.
He encouraged the athletes to take advantage of the opportunity as preparation for the next Sea Games, which will be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in May 2023.
“We realise that our athletes are looking forward to being back on the competitive platform after a long break due to Covid-19.
“With this year’s edition, we encourage young athletes to be given as much exposure as possible, but of course, senior athletes also need the competition to maintain their performance,” he said.
The minister added that around 10,000 athletes are expected to take part in this year’s Sukma.
Meanwhile, commenting on Harimau Malaya’s stunning performance against Turkmenistan last night, Faizal said he already expected the win but added that the real challenge will be Saturday’s match against Bahrain.
“I look forward to the team’s match against Bahrain on Saturday and call on Malaysians to show their support at Bukit Jalil Stadium.
“We demand our players give their best, especially when they wear the national jersey.
“Our players need to listen to their coach, follow the game plan, and make Malaysia proud,” Faizal said.
The national football team kicked off their 2023 Asian Cup qualifying campaign in style after defeating Turkmenistan 3-1 in their first group match at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium last night.
Malaysia will play Bahrain next this Saturday, followed by Bangladesh on June 14. – The Vibes, June 9, 2022
