So who's in charge?

12/11/1998

SPORTS Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is puzzled with two things - Lawn
Tennis Associaton of Malaysia (LTAM) president Tun Ghafar Baba's position
and the attitude of Malaysian athletes who skipped motivational camps.
Speaking at his office yesterday, Muhyiddin said he is unclear whether
Ghafar is still president of LTAM as he has been receiving conflicting
reports.
"Ghafar wrote a lengthy letter to me explaining LTAM's affairs, and yet
I read in the newspapers that he is no longer the president," said
Muhyiddin.
"Sports Commissioner Datuk Ahmad Bakri Shabdin does not have any
information to deny or confirm Ghafar's status but a few days ago, I
received a letter from Ghafar stating the activities which have been
conducted by LTAM over the years. Ghafar signed it in his position as LTAM
president," said Muhyiddin.
On Nov 8, Ghafar announced in Penang that he is no longer the president.
He was quoted as saying: "Actually, I have already resigned from LTAM ...
sometime back. I am no longer the president."
The Sports Ministry are now seriously thinking about taking over the
running of LTAM because the association have yet to submit their accounts
even after the Sports Commissioner had invoked the Sports Development Act.
Muhyiddin is also peeved by the behaviour of a few Asian Games-bound
athletes who went AWOL during a recent three-day motivational camp at
Bukit Jalil.
"I was surprised to receive a report from the National Sports Council
(NSC) that several athletes skipped camp after I visited them. Some
associations did not even bother to send their athletes."
Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) failed to send their
cyclists for the camp while squash players Nicol David and Leong Siu Lynn
were absent without reason.
The badminton players registered for the camp but, with the exception of
Roslin Hashim, checked out after Muhyiddin visited on the second day of
the camp.
"How are we going to progress in sports if the athletes are not serious?
I'll not condone such behaviour because this is grossly irresponsible.
"While I was there, I got the impression that the athletes were really
serious and were enjoying the camp."
Muhyiddin, while not agreeing with NSC director-general Datuk Mazlan
Ahmad's suggestion to stop monetary assistance to the respective
associations, would like to see a reprimand instead.
"Money to organise the camp came from the Ministry and we feel cheated
because there is no provision for the Ministry to hold such camps. In
fact, we did the job of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and the
associations.
"If we leave it in the hands of the associations to organise such camps,
they will not be able to do so because of the present financial
constraints."
(END)