The registration process for the FTAA cannot proceed until existing Federal Territories athletics associations are dissolved, says the Sports Commissioner
KUALA LUMPUR: The registration process for the formation of the Federal Territories Athletics Association (FTAA) cannot proceed as long as the existing associations at the Federal Territories level have not been dissolved, according to Sports Commissioner (PJS) Arrifin Mohd Ghani.
He said the matter is in line with the Sports Development Act, which allows only one governing body for each sport at the state level, and that provision must be adhered to.
He explained that Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya each currently have their own athletics associations duly registered with the PJS Office, and therefore the establishment of a new entity under the Federal Territories would require all three bodies to be dissolved first.
“The PJS cannot register another association of the same kind at the same level, as it would create disorder within the state.
“For example, if I register the FTAA, a club from Labuan organising a competition would need to obtain sanction from whom? Would it seek it from the Labuan Athletics Association or the FTAA?” he said when contacted by Bernama.
Yesterday, Malaysia Athletics (MA) expressed hope that the issue concerning the affiliation status raised by the FTAA could be resolved as soon as possible so that the association can become an affiliate member of the governing body.
Its secretary-general Nur Haryati Karim said the body is deeply concerned about the development of athletics in Malaysia, particularly in the Federal Territories, especially as MA prepares for the upcoming SEA Games.
Under the MA Constitution, the formation of the FTAA must include legitimate representation from Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, while the merger process must undergo due review by the MA Council in accordance with the association’s governance procedures.
