The Federal Territory Amateur Fencing Association says it will challenge its ejection from the national federation while continuing to protect athletes and grassroots programmes.
FTAFA president Badroel Rizwan Bahar said the association had already met sports commissioner Arrifin Ghani to explain its side of the dispute and submit a timeline of events leading to the expulsion.
The meeting came just days after the national federation removed the Kuala Lumpur-based affiliate a day before a two-year suspension on the association was due to end.
MFF has accused the affiliate of breaking the federation’s constitution, ignoring directives during suspension and disrupting the administration of the sport
Badroel said FTAFA would also send a formal legal reply to allegations made by MFF.
“We firmly dispute the allegations made against the association and maintain that the claims are unfounded,” he said.
Badroel said FTAFA had expected the possibility of expulsion since receiving what he described as an unconstitutional suspension in May 2024.
He said the association focused on protecting athletes and keeping fencing programmes alive throughout the suspension period.
“Upon receiving the letter of sacking from MFF, we notified all the necessary parties to ensure our athletes are protected from this unjustified action,” he said.
The dispute has sparked concern across the fencing community, with athletes, coaches and parents worried about the effect on development programmes and competitions.
FTAFA now plans to wait for responses from both the sports commissioner’s office and the national federation before deciding its next move.
‘Criticism should not be seen as a threat’
Badroel rejected claims that FTAFA had tried to undermine the sport.
Instead, he said the association pushed for better governance, greater transparency and stronger accountability within Malaysian fencing.
“Constructive criticism and differing opinions should not be perceived as threats to the development of any sporting organisation,” he said.
“It grieves me to see that MFF used our criticism and opinions as an excuse to sack our association.”
Badroel said FTAFA had repeatedly raised concerns about governance, communication, athlete welfare and stakeholder involvement during meetings and discussions within the sport.
He said those concerns should have encouraged reform instead of punishment.
Badroel also warned that the expulsion could discourage open discussion within Malaysian fencing.
“Should this act of self-sabotage by MFF be allowed to proceed, it will only discourage honest dialogue for the betterment of fencing,” he said.
Badroel also defended FTAFA’s role in developing fencing over the last decade.
He said the association was one of the country’s most active fencing bodies, adding it helped keep the sport alive during difficult years.
FTAFA said it relied mainly on volunteers, sponsors and public support because fencing received little funding at national level.
The association had launched its own fencing development programme after the sport returned to Sukma competition.
Badroel said the programme helped Federal Territory finish as the top fencing team at Sukma Sarawak 2024.
FTAFA also claimed it had supported Malaysian athletes competing overseas, including at the Asian Fencing Championships.
According to the association, its athletes have represented Malaysia at the SEA Games, Junior World Cups and Asian-level competitions.
Badroel said FTAFA still aimed to help produce Malaysian fencers capable of qualifying for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
“The central point in incidents like this should always remain the interest of the athletes and the future development of our sport,” he said. - FMT
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