Good news for Taekwondo Malaysia?

This piece of news was sent to this blog under the name "Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF)": :
Good news for all Taekwondo fans. Take a peek at the WTF website at www.wtf.org and under heading of members, Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF), does that mean the WTF has recognised Taekwondo Malaysia and in record short time too.

Member National Associations Country (Yer of Affiliation)

= 43 Members

Afghanistan (1993)	Bahrain (1977)	Bangladesh (1999)
Bhutan (1985)	Brunei Darussalam (1973)	Cambodia (1995)
China (1995)	Chinese Taipei (1974)	Hong Kong (1978)
India (1979)	Indonesia (1975)	Iran (1975)
Iraq (1984)	Japan (1981)	Jordan (1979)
Kazakhstan (1993)	Korea (1973)	Kuwait Judo & Taekwondo Federa... (1977)
Kyrgyzstan (1993)	Laos (1996)	Lebanon (1978)
Macao (2002)	Malaysia (1975)	Mongolia (1991)
Myanmar (1990)	Nepal (1983)	Oman (2010)
Pakistan (1977)	Palestine (1989)	Philippines (1973)
Qatar (1977)	Saudi Arabia (1977)	Singapore (1975)
Sri Lanka (1983)	Syria (2000)	Tajikistan (1995)
Thailand (1975)	Timor-Leste (2009)	Turkmenistan (2000)
United Arab Emirates (1994)	Uzbekistan (1992)	Vietnam (1989)
Yemen (1988)

Malaysia's losses in bid to host IOC Congress

Buenos Aires to host key IOC meeting in 2013

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP)—Buenos Aires will host the IOC meeting where the host city for the 2020 Summer Olympics will be selected in 2013.
The Argentine capital defeated Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 58-31 in a secret ballot Wednesday of the International Olympic Committee.

Buenos Aires has a proposed budget of $3.4 million for the meeting.
At the 2013 session, IOC members will award the hosting rights for the 2020 Olympics. No formal bids have been submitted yet.
Buenos Aires is the second South American city to win an IOC election in recent months. Rio de Janeiro was awarded the 2016 Olympics in October, becoming the first South American city to get the games.

BERNAMA'S TAKE ON THE LOSS OF THE BID

February 11, 2010 12:44 PM

KL Loses Bid To Host 2013 IOC Meeting

VANCOUVER (CANADA), Feb 11 (Bernama) - Kuala Lumpur has lost to Buenos Aires in its bid to host the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting in 2013 which will pick the host of the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Kuala Lumpur received only 31 votes compared to 58 garnered by the Argentine capital city. Ninety-two of the 115 members of the IOC attended the 122nd IOC meeting here on Wednesday. Two members abstained while one vote was spoilt.

Besides selecting the host city of the 2020 Summer Olympics, the 2013 meeting will also appoint a new IOC president to succeed Jacques Rogge whose term of office ends in 2013.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Jaafar described the voting as fair, considering that after having selected Nanjing in China as the host of the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, the IOC wanted another region in the world to host its 2013 meeting.

"Of course, I am disappointed (with the decision) but I feel Malaysia had made a good bid. Our presentation was the best we could have delivered," he said.

Besides Tunku Imran, the Malaysian delegation comprised Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, OCM vice-president Low Beng Choo, OCM honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi and National Sports Council director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong.

Tunku Imran said failing in the bid would not dampen Malaysia's spirit to bid for the 2019 Asian Games.

He said the OCM and the relevant authorities should put forward the best bid to secure the games.

Ahmad Shabery said Kuala Lumpur's loss in the bid was all in the game.

"This is sports. In every competition, there is a winner and a loser. We have to accept defeat with an open heart," he said.-- BERNAMA

 

The Malaysian delegation led by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, must surely be dissapointed of having lost the bid to Buenos Aires.
Wonder how much Malaysia was proposed as the budget to host the Congress.
Buenos Aires had proposed US$3.4 million.
Malaysia could not have been far behind and say it had proposed US$3 million, that would work out to roughly RM10.2million.
So can this RM10 million be channeled to sports development - since we are so serious about sports.
After all, the money has already been budgeted. Let us not forget, about probably at least RM500,000 would have been spent on officials traveling for the bid and the preparation of the bid!
Meanwhile back home, there is still doubt that all the 11 sports in the MSSM calendar which was ordered to b reinstated by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Education Minister, will materialise.
While the budget has been allocated, many are skeptical that the order will be carried out because of time constraints and also the money being available.
There is already news that some sports maybe reinstated, but the Under-15 category left out.
With so much uncertainty, it would be good if the Education Ministry through Sports, Arts and Co-curriculum department director Ee Hong, who recently took over from Jame @ Maikal Alip, make a formal announcement on the fate of the sports.
It is learnt that even the schools have not received any directive about the reinstating of the 11 sports!
So what is happening?


MORE NEWS FROM IOC:


10 February 2010

[PRESS RELEASE] Nanjing to host 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2014

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today elected Nanjing, People's Republic of China, as the host city of the 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2014 during the 122nd IOC Session in Vancouver, Canada. Nanjing received 47 votes to edge out runner-up Poznan, Poland, which received 42 votes.

“We had two outstanding candidatures from two fantastic cities. Both expressed the spirit of the Youth Olympic Games and both were capable of staging the event,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge. “We are looking forward to working with Nanjing, and are confident the Youth Olympic Games in 2014 will be a success.”
Some 3,600 athletes ranging in ages from 15 to 18 are expected to compete at the 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing in 2014, which will feature competitions in 26 sports.
President Rogge will soon establish a Coordination Commission to assist Nanjing throughout its preparation period.
“The preparation period for the second summer edition of the Youth Olympic Games will take four-and-a-half years, which will allow Nanjing to match both the expectations of the IOC and the athletes in producing a programme of sport, culture and education that is of the very highest standard,” Rogge added.
The Youth Olympic Games are the culmination of the IOC’s determination to reach out to young people. Far more than merely being about competition, the Games are also a platform on which young people can learn about the Olympic values and the benefits of sport, while sharing their experiences with people from around the globe.
Nanjing became the first Youth Olympic Games host city directly elected in an IOC Session; previously Singapore (2010) and Innsbruck (2012) were selected by IOC members via postal vote.
Note:The Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, to be held between 14 and 26 August 2010, will bring together 3,600 athletes between 14 and 18 years of age from all 205 National Olympic Committees to compete in the 26 sports on the London 2012 Olympic Games programme. A fully fledged education programme will raise participants’ awareness of the Olympic values and topics like healthy lifestyles and the fight against doping. A number of communications initiatives will link the youth of the world with the event. A culture programme will ensure a festive and pleasant atmosphere within the host city. 

Is this the right direction?

A video clip containing a message from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will be among Malaysia's "secret" weapons in its bid to host the 2013 International Olympic Council (IOC) Congress. (Read here)

A decision will be made tomorrow in Vancouver, Canada at the IOC Executive Board Meeting.
Personally, I have mixed feelings about this.
Yes, I agree being given the honour to host the 2013 IOC Congress will put Malaysia on the world map, there is the tourism element, will enhance Malaysia's third attempt to host a Asian Games (in 2019) and it will be good for the image of Malaysia.
However, the other side of me asks, do we need to spend so much money in the bid to host the Congress and if we get the nod, spend even more probably running into hundreds of million ringgit.
And mind you hosting the IOC Congress, is like hosting kings from the various countries in the world.
Will it not be better to spend the money on more useful things to enhance the economy of the country, improve our education and health system, help the poor, create more job opportunities, development of sports at the grassroots, provide better training and exposure for our athletes and the list can go on.
Will hosting the IOC Congress and even the Asian Games, improve our sporting standards in the country.
Do we have to host these events to see our sporting standards improve?
My gut feeling says that there is many ways to skin a cat and hosting events is certainly not the way to improve the Malaysian sports standards.
Yes, we hosted the 1998 Commonwealth Games and spent millions and even probably running into billion ringgit in total, but where is Malaysian sports today?
Yes, we are accorded at perfect host and received accolades for having organisational abilities, but where does that take our standards of Malaysian sports.
Even the accounts for the Commonwealth Games are not closed yet, if I am not mistaken.
And all the issues that raised from the hosting of Commonwealth Games from many becoming instant millionaires, the law suits etc.
Yes, the Government is behind this bid to host the IOC Congress and I suppose they know best or have abundance of extra cash to splurge.
Before this, Malaysia lost to Qatar in its bid to host the 2006 Asian Games and did not bid for the 2010 Asian Games, citing the high cost in hosting the event.
China will host the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou while South Korea will host the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.
Malaysia, also had tried to bid for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games to be held this year, although there was clear indication that Singapore would be the preferred host.

Below are some reports and comments on previous bids and attempts to host various international events: 

"Expecting to be considered an advanced country by the year 2020, as expressed in Wawasan 2020, there was a slight expectation from the public for the capital Kuala Lumpur to host the Summer Olympics. However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak  said Malaysia was not ready as holding the Olympic Games was a "tall order for the country" until they could become more of a sports powerhouse."


 "Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: The IOC Evaluation Commission for the host city of the 125th IOC Session in 2013 made an inspection on November 19-20 of the proposed venues and facilities in Kuala Lumpur, one of the two short-listed cities bidding to host the 125th IOC Session.


The Commission was led by its Chairman, Ng Ser Miang, IOC Vice President, from Singapore. Other members of the Commission were IOC Member Willi Kaltschmitt, Thierry Springer, Director of Finance and Administration of the IOC, and Paul J. Foster, Head of Protocol, Events and Hospitality Services of the IOC.


The IOC Evaluation Commission had a meeting with representatives of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Mandarin Oriental, Traders Hotel, Tourism Malaysia, Dewan Bandaraya of Kuala Lumpur, BERNAMA, Media Prima, Malaysia Airlines and the Olympic Council of Malaysia. The members of the Evaluation Commission also inspected the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the Mandarin Oriental and the Traders Hotel."


November 26, 1998

Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur has joined the bidding battle for the hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Thursday.
The IOC said in a statement that the Malaysian Minister of Youth and Sports Tan Sri Muhyiddin Bin Mohd Yassin on Thursday informed the IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch that the Malaysian capital will bid to host the 2008 summer Olympic Games.
The minister said that the decision for the Kuala Lumpur bid had been taken by the Malaysian government, the statement said. The IOC added that the…

Inaugural Youth Olympics bid:
Singapore and Moscow made the final list after the elimination of Athens, Greece; Bangkok, Thailand; Turin, Italy; Debrecen, Hungary; Guatemala City; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Poznan, Poland.


"KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysia is considering bidding for the 2019 Asian Games after twice being rejected for the region’s biggest multi-sports event.
The country’s Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek told local media that Kuala Lumpur also wanted to stage the 2013 International Olympic Committe (IOC) Congress.
“If Malaysia is given the opportunity to host the IOC Congress it will strengthen Kuala Lumpur’s bid for the 2019 Asian Games,” he was quoted by Malaysia’s Bernama news agency.
Malaysia previously lost out to Qatar in the bidding to host the 2006 Asian Games and pulled out of the race for 2010 due to financial reasons.
The Chinese city of Guangzhou will host next year’s Asian Games while South Korea’s Incheon stages the event in 2014. The first Asian Games was held in New Delhi in 1951."

Will new lease become a reality soon?

This story appeared in the Eastern Times today.

Schools’ Sports given a new lease of life by DPM

BY TONY MARIADASS
KUCHING: Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has saved the Schools’ Sports through his announcement that the Education Ministry will allocate RM89 million for sports and co-curricular activities in schools.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister, also ordered that the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) re-instate the 11 sports that were slashed from the 2010 calendar citing a cut in the Ministry’s budget.
Muhyiddin said: "Re-instating the 11 sports is consistent with making sports a priority in schools nationwide.
“Our goal is that each and every of our 5.6 million students in 10,000 schools take up at least one sport.”
Muhyiddin also announced that steps were being taken to ensure that schools are well equipped for sports - which include upgrading poor sports facilities and school fields.
Indeed, a big thank-you to the DPM is in order when he vetoed the earlier decision announced by the Sports, Arts and Co-curriculum department’s decision to exclude 11 sports because their budget has been cut from RM6 million to RM1.5 million.
However, while the decision must be applauded, another bigger question is looming as to whether the new decision will be put into action with utmost priority and urgency.
The concern is how long will it be take before the decision is forwarded to the Ministry of Finance and how long before funds are dispensed to the ground for  activities to be organised.
It is already into the second week of February and with the Chinese New Year holidays ahead, before we know it the month of February would have passed.
The first term school holidays starts from March 13 to 21.
The schools’ sports at national level are normally organised during the schools holidays and whether the Inter-Schools and Inter-Districts championships can be organised during this short spell is another question mark.
The next school holidays is from June 5 to 20 and probably, the next school term from March 22 to June 4 can be used to organise the schools and district level competitions.
However, the last thing we need is for the Education Ministry to come and say that because of time constraints and the funds not being made available immediately, they will have to forgo some sports or even organise it on a one or two-day carnival basis.
However, the consensus among parents and sports followers and critics alike, is that all this is too good to be true because the announcement to re-instate the 11 sports and the funds made available, may have come too late. Many are skeptical that the 11 sports axed can be organised.
Certainly this is more than enough reason for the Ministry of Education to prove the critics wrong and not let down Muhyiddin and putting him in a hot spot.

BACKGROUND TO SLASH OF MSSM FUNDS
MSSM"s budget for 2010 was slashed from RM6 to RM1.5 million.
 As a result of this measure, only 13 sports was supposed to have been organised by MSSM at the national level. They were artistic gymnastics, gymrama, golf, swimming, athletics, badminton, netball, basketball, volleyball, sepak takraw, football, tennis and hockey.
 On top of that, all the sports, except for artistic gymnastics, gymrama, swimming and athletics, were not supposed to have the Under-15 age group championships.
Schools sports are organised at Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18 age group level.
 The eleven sports given the axe included sports which are key sports in Malaysia: -bowling, squash and archery. The others supposed to be axed were table tennis, rugby, cricket, sailing, softball, handball, cross country and chess. While the sports were supposed to be cut because of lack of funds at the MSSM level, the inaugural Asian Schools Sports will be organised by MSSM to a tune of RM 5.5 million.

Polarized Society The Stumbling Block To Malaysian Sports Progress

Datuk Prof. Emeritus Dr. Alex. E. Delilkan, a national cricketer from 1955 to 1972 and the national captain from 1959 to 1972, a member of the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Hall of Fame, in his famous no holds barred approach, delivered his thoughts on Combining Sports and Education  on Careers for Life, yesterday morning.

Alex Delilkan, as he insists to be called among the sports fraternity, who turned 75 young on Feb 12 (as he also insists to use instead of old), had the 30-odd present for the talk at the edge of their seats with his revelations, frankness, wit and humour.


Sadly none of the main stream newspapers were present for his presentation.

He started off his talk to say that everyone has to accept that Malaysian society is POLARIZED!


"Until and when you come to terms that Malaysian society is polarized, we cannot change our standards of sports in the country.
Just look at USA in in team games, there are no where! It is impossible for them to perform as a team. But in individual sports, they excel.
This is the same scenario with Malaysian sports.
Gone are the says when we competed in sports for the love and honour of the country.
Sports then was amateur status. Today it is fully professional and it is a fulltime.
I achieved great results in both academic and sports on parallel terms.
That is no longer possible. We will be kidding ourselves, we we believe we can."


Several people disagreed with Alex during question time that sports and a career cannot be achieved. One of them who disagreed was Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan, who he himself was successful both as an athlete and academician.

Jegathesan said: "Many athletes world over are successful as an athlete and sportsman. Many of the athletes from these countries get merit points for being national athletes and can defer their studies while concentrating on sports."

Alex replied: 'That is exactly what I am trying to say. You cannot achieve success both as an athlete and student on parallel perimeters. Sports is a profession by itself today. It is professional."


To another question as why team sports like soccer and hockey had done well in the 50s, 60s and even 70s and now he says they will not do well, he replied: "Back then, we never thought of us being different as we all considered ourselves as one, playing for the love of sports and nation. Sports was 1 Malaya then.
But today, polarization starts in the schools!"


Asked can this situation can be overcomed, he simply replied: "Go back to the schools. Emphasise sports in schools. Change the system and sports is the unifying factor. Be serious about it. But let me tell you, it is culture you have to change and that is going to take time. 50 years maybe! That is the truth, believe it or not.
And the club system must exists. If we think we can correct the present ills by just focusing on schools sports alone, you are grossly mistaken, Schools athletes can become national athletes overnight. They have to go through  a system too. But even before the schools, parents play a great role. They have to encourage their children to take up the sports culture.
Sports cannot be forced down on anyone and hope to see them become champions. Sports must naturally. Besides talent, the individual must love sports.
Athletes will also face many obstacles where teachers or lecturers will play a stumbling block to the advancement of their sports career. They have to overcome all these.
Basically sports culture starts from the home to schools, schools to club competition, from club competition to State level and then to national level.
These we start specialising at the pinnacle when things are not right at the grassroots level, we are only heading for disaster."


Among the other areas Alex touched on:


Meritocracy: Selectors and coaches must be former national athletes and NOT the president who does not have a clue of the game or which side to hold a racquet. Yes politicians, people who have clout are necessary for the image of the assocaition and financial standings. But they should refraine from being involved in the actually management of the sports.
I also do not believe that we should hire foreign coaches. Out coaches knows best, especially when it comes to people management and local situations.
And I do not like to call them coaches. Coaches are for schools. At the highest level, they should be managers, who manage the athletes, give advice, motivate them and bring the best out of them. If we need foreign assistance, it should be for specific areas which we need to strengthen. The overall running of Malaysian teams should be by local ex-national athletes of the respective sports.
I say do not look West or look East. LOOK HERE!


Sports Schools: Why specialise when we do not have out house in order at the grassroots level. Fulfill the basic needs first become looking at specialising. 


Sportsmen and women: Sportsmen and women cannot be manufactured. Sports has to evolve!


Solution to current situation: Depolarize. Go back to the schools. Get the children playing for their classes. Get them to have sense of belonging and move upwards


Ex-internationals: Get them involved, be it at grassroots, development, coaching or managing. Ex-internationals can help the shortage of sports teachers. Recognise them. At the same-time I agree some of them do not want to be involved. Get around it. There is a wealth of experience out there. Utilise them!


Last words: Inculcate love for sports!

His famous line:His reply when asked how old he is: "I was born on 12th Feb 1934. Making me a ripe 75. Whenever anyone asked me my age, my earnest reply today would be:- "I am 75 years YOUNG!". Age is a number, how old you are is not relevant, it is how much you are functional and what legacy you leave. Today I am still fully functional, still teaching and guiding the young medical minds."  

Professor Emeritus of anaesthesiology and critical care, Alex, has been in Universiti Malaya for over 40 years and is an ICON for both medicine and sports.

For those who were present at today's talk, it was indeed an honour to be addressed by him.
For those who missed the opportunity, if you ever get another opportunity, make it a MUST to attend.
Thank you Alex! 

Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF)

 Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF)
Level 4, National Aquatic Centre, Bukit Jalil Sports Complex, Bukit Jalil,
57700 Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Email: tkdwtf@tm.net.my Fax : 603 - 56343112
Media Release
Formation of a Protem Committee for
Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF) as a National Taekwondo body.
Date : 5thth February 2010.
The Protem Committee of Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF) wishes to announce its formation as a national body to look after the affairs of taekwondo WTF in Malaysia by a virtue of a Ministerial Directive and appointment letters issued via the Sports Commisioners Office dated 4th February 2010. The task to form this National body was entrusted to Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar with his first hand experience in the affairs of Taekwondo WTF while in his Chairmanship of the now dissolved MTA Ad Hoc Committee.
The Terms of Reference for this new Protem Committee is as follows in its original Bahasa Malaysia text for its accuracy.
TERMA RUJUKAN BAGI JAWATANKUASA PENAJA
1. Untuk menubuhkan sebuah badan taekwondo baru dan akan berdaftar dengan pejabat ini.
2. Mempelawa semua persatuan taekwondo peringkat negeri dan kelab - kelab taekwondo untuk menyertai badan sukan baru tersebut.
3. Memastikan satu mesyuarat agung tahunan diadakan dalam tempoh tidak melebihi 12 bulan dari tarikh ia didaftarkan.
4. Memastikan bahawa perlembagaan persatuan peringkat negeri yang menyertai badan sukan taekwondo yang baru ini adalah selari dengan perlembagaannya di mana satu negeri hanya mempunyai satu wakil sahaja.
5. Menjalankan semua urusan berkaitan taewkondo WTF bagi sukan taekwondo di Malaysia.
6. Menjaga kebajikan dan status atlet untuk mewakili negara di dalam kejohanan taekwondo
The officers appointed into the Protem Committee by letter issued by the Sports Commisioner’s Office dated 4th February 2010 and subsequently elected into the various positions at the Meeting are :
Chairman Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar
Deputy Chairman Dato‟ Roy Rajasingam.
Secretary Datuk Samson David Maman
Treasurer Mr KM Rajenderan
Technical Chairman Grandmaster Mr Song Yoong Khin
Committee Members
Y. Bhg Datuk Mohamad Nazim Bin Tun Abdul Razak
Mr Chee Hock Choong
Grandmaster Leow Cheng Koon
Grandmaster Chin Mee Keong
Also to be appointed into the Committee for their invaluable advice are:-
En. Jalaludin Bin Othman of Kementerian Pendidikan
Tuan Haji Jalil Bin Hj Abdullah of MSN
Puan Hjh. Che Zaharah Bt. Abdul Hamid of KBS
All appointments of Protem Committee Members are in their personal capacity as they have the necessary expertise and knowledge on matters affecting this sport.
The tenure of the Protem Committee wil be for 12 months but the Chairman with the support of his Protem Committee Members hopes to resolve all matters within 3 to 4 months before an Inaugral AGM can be held to elect Office Bearers to administer the Association. The revised open Constitution created by the previous MTA Ad Hoc Committee for National Association and State affiliates will be adopted by Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF) with minor amendments.
The Chairman also wishes to announce that MTCA and MTF has reaffirmed its decision to disband as national bodies representing Taekwondo WTF members in Malaysia. The MTF will do so on the 19th March 2010 and the MTCA on the 4th March at 6pm in support of Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF).
ATM and MASUM
The Chairman wishes to notify that ATM and MASUM will be encouraged to affiliate with Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF) as the Sports Commissioner has given it exemption from registration with the SC‟s Office to maintain its status. All Clubs and states seeking affiliation to Taekwondo Malaysia (WTF) must be registered with the Sports Commisioners Office.
The Chairman Tunku Imran and the protem Committee wishes to thank the States and Taekwondo Clubs for the numerous congratulatory messages received on its formation .He said ” It augurs well for a new beginning after more than 5 years of turmoil this sport has gone through. He has stated his wish to see all parties coming
together to help rebuild Taekwondo (WTF) in Malaysia and expresses his thanks to the former MTA States of Perlis, Perak, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan as well as the MTF States of Kedah, Sabah, Sarawak, Johore and Putrajaya for their faxed letters of support. The MTF States of Sabah and Johore were previously affiliated to MTA. Kuala Lumpur under Mr Ho Kam Phaw “has also expressed support in principle for the initiative but will hold its State meeting soon to endorse its decision before issuing its written consent.”
The Chairman reiterated „It not too late for anyone to join in but please do it as early as possible as taekwondo classes and many taekwondo Instructors have already been affected nationwide in this new school calendar year of 2010. The continued upheavals within taekwondo WTF must come to an end and this change will be the catalyst for it. The Constitution is open free and fair to enable members to determine their future and their destiny. We are only interim Administrators” 

Issued by:
Datuk Samson Maman
Hon Secretary

KUDOS TO DPM AND SCHOOLS' SPORTS!

So there was money for Schools' Sports after all!
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the Education Minister, has ordered that the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) reinstate the 11 sports that were axed, with his announcement of a RM89 million grant for sports and co-curricular activities.
Thank You Sir, for having stepped in and made the all important decision, which will definitely single-handedly put Malaysian sports back on track for the future.
Muhyiddin said: "Our goal is that each and every of our 5.6 million students in their 10,000 schools takes up at least one sport."
That sums up the great vision.
the malay mail went to town with the announcement yesterday (read here) while The New Straits went back page with the story (read here), Harian Metro had a story story on it too (read here), and The Star too joined in to carry the story (read here).
While the malay mail and in particular Haresh Deol, should be commended for his commitment in championing for the cause of reinstating the axed sports, Level-field would like to think that in a small way it played it's role too.
After all, it was here that the story that slash of budget for MSSM for 2010 was first highlighted on Dec 18,2009 under the heading: The right hand does not know what the left hand does (read here) and then followed up to champion to give priority to sports in schools with blogs under these headings: How about some money for MSSM Sir?; DPM's UNAWARE of 11 sports excluded in MSSM calendar; Someone SAVE Malaysian Schools' Sports Please!; Hornets nest stirred? and Backroom for sports in schools.
Special mention must also be made to Zainal Hashim and his blog: youth bowling in selangor (read here) who also invited views through facebook, to champion to save sports in schools.
With schools' sports given the priority it so rightly deserve and the funds allocated, it is now hoped that there is no red-tape to release the funds to MSSM and MSSM on their part, get to work immediately to reinstate the sports and disperse the funds to the States Sports Councils.
Let us not hear excuses that it is already into the month of February and before they get the funds, disperse it and get organising, it will be too late into the year!
The order to act immediately comes from none other than the Education Minister who is also the DPM and it is hoped that the matter is given utmost priority and urgency.
Thank-you again Tan Sri and just ensure that your order is carried out to the dot!