PSM set to rejoin Astaf, Istaf

KUALA LUMPUR – After being pushed to the sidelines for almost two years, the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association (PSM) persevered and have submitted their application to join the International Sepaktakraw Federation (Istaf) and Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (Astaf). 

The decision was made after PSM’s rival, the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Confederation (Mastaf), had announced its dissolution yesterday. 

PSM president Datuk Sumali Reduan had met with Astaf president Datuk Abdul Halim Kader and Istaf deputy president Gum Yeon Goo to discuss the matter yesterday. 

“I will officially submit a new application to become a member of Istaf and Astaf. This is in line with PSM’s hopes to gain international recognition after all that has happened and we know there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

“The doors are open for more Mastaf members to join us because we have 19 affiliated members, made up of 12 state associations and seven associate members,” he said. 

He also announced that the Perlis Sepaktakraw Association had decided to join PSM once again after quitting Mastaf. 

The remaining state associations that have yet to join PSM are Selangor, Labuan, Putrajaya, and Sarawak, which were members of Mastaf. 

Meanwhile, Halim said there would no issue with accepting PSM’s application to be a member once again. 

“We will not impose any strange criteria or conditions for accepting PSM as a member.”

He added that Mastaf’s dissolution announcement came as a surprise, but nevertheless has accepted its decision. 

“The decision made by Mastaf president Datuk Suhaili Abd Rahman yesterday was shocking. 

“But it was the right decision made at the right time. He has made the right decision to end the ongoing issues that have affected sepak takraw in Malaysia,” said Halim. 

In May of last year, PSM was expelled from Astaf following the action of then president Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail who sent a letter to the Olympic Council of Asia, which was also copied to the International Olympic Committee, in his capacity as Astaf deputy president on February 24, 2021. 

Ahmad was found guilty of breaching the written undertakings given to Istaf and Astaf on March 14, 2008.

Ahmad, better known as Tok Mat, then announced his resignation as PSM president in June 2021 after being at the helm since 2002, stating that the decision was made out of a sense of responsibility for the conflict that has plagued the sport’s governing body. 

Ahmad was suspended by Astaf for 15 years, but Halim said the Asian governing body is ready to reduce the suspension imposed on the former PSM president. – The Vibes, December 21, 2022.