Reviewing the Sports Development ACT

ISMAIL SABRI YAAKOB

THE Sports Development Act is expected to be amended as the general consensus at the National Sports Convention was that the implementation of the Act has been poor and the actual objective not met.

The long-drawn sagas of the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) and Malaysian Professional Golfers Association (MPGA) have given the Sports Commissioner's Office a bad reputation.

Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the proposed amendments have been given to various parties for feedback.

"However, the final decision whether to amend the Act lies with the government. There is belief that it has to be amended as there are several loopholes which need to be tightened," said Ismail Sabri.

Yesterday's discussions centred on whether an association or office bearers should be suspended in the event of disputes.
Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) deputy president Datuk Naim Mohammad said suspending an association was akin to punishing athletes.

"It is unfair to punish the athletes if the associations are poorly run. I totally disagree that the association should be suspended. Instead, the Act should punish office bearers," said Naim.