Triple blow to PSM as three more state associations pull out

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21  -- The Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) suffered a triple blow today when three more state associations decided to pull out from the national governing body.

The three are the Sarawak Sepak Takraw Association (PSS), Negeri Sembilan Sepak Takraw Association (PESTANS) and Perak Darul Ridzuan Sepak Takraw Association (PERSEDAR).

Six other state associations had previously announced their withdrawals from PSM. They are Gabungan Sepak Takraw Kelantan (Gastak), Johor Sepak Takraw Association (PSJ), Selangor Sepak Takraw Association, Kedah Sepak Takraw Association (Pestak), Terengganu Sepak Takraw Association (PSNT) and Putrajaya Federal Territory Sepak Takraw Association (PESTAP).

The three associations who pulled out today said they had lost faith in the leadership and credibility of the national governing body and, as such, called for new leadership to head the governing body.

PSS president Tan Sri Abang Khalid Abang Marzuki said the PSM leadership did not care nor heed the views of PSS’ supreme council in responding to allegations by the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (ASTAF), so much so that its image had been further tarnished among its affiliates.  

“We have lost faith in PSM for failing to tackle their issues with ASTAF, which resulted in them (PSM) being suspended and fined. This latest development is very disappointing and further highlights their failure as the governing body,” he said in a statement today.

In SEREMBAN, PESTANS president Wan Mohd Husni Wan Abdullah said their unanimous decision was aimed at supporting new leadership of the governing body for the sake of the continuous development of sepak takraw in the country.

“PSM need new leadership to end the various controversies plaguing the governing body,” he told reporters. 

Meanwhile in IPOH, PERSEDAR president Datuk Seri Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan, in confirming their withdrawal as PSM affiliates, said in a statement that they took a serious view of the decision taken by ASTAF with regard to PSM’s expulsion from the Asian body on May 20.  

He said PERSEDAR would also support new leadership in PSM.

Yesterday, ASTAF expelled PSM with immediate effect after being found guilty following the action of their president, Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail in sending a letter to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and which was copied to the International Olympics Committee (IOC) in his capacity as ASTAF deputy president on Feb 24.

His action was found to have breached 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.”

However, PSM have 14 days to appeal against the sentence imposed.

-- BERNAMA