KUALA LUMPUR: The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have urged Deputy Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim to justify his allegation that the sports fraternity was plagued by elements of corruption.
OCM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria described Adam Adli's statement as uncalled for, unfair and prejudicial as various national sports bodies have succeeded in producing world champions in their respective sports throughout the decades.
"As the umbrella body of 57 national sports associations (NSAs), the OCM are deeply disappointed with Adam Adli's statement which was not fully justified and not backed by evidence," said Norza in a statement today.
"Rightfully, Adam Adli should engage the stakeholders before coming up with a blanket statement that reflects poor understanding of the existing structure."
"It is best that politicians appointed to ministerial posts be mindful of the fact that they are here to serve the people. The sports fraternity comprising NSAs as the biggest stakeholders are basically run by elected office bearers on a voluntary basis."
"Although the NSAs are far from perfect and work within constraints, you cannot tar us with the same brush. Undoubtedly, there are weaknesses that needed to be rectified but to claim that the sports fraternity is corrupt is prejudicial and immature," said Norza, also the president of the BA of Malaysia (BAM).
Norza pointed out that a number of NSAs have been recognised as model associations who observe the principle of best practices of good governance.
"The same set of NSAs have helped raise the profile of sports in the country by producing world beaters in badminton, cycling, diving, bowling and silat, just to name a few."
In his first media conference as the deputy minister, Adam Adli was quoted by BERNAMA that the national sports arena should be free from any corruption, inefficiency and leakages in order to raise it to a higher level.
Datuk Hamidin Amin, the president of the FA of Malaysia (FAM), said it was unfair for Adam Adli to prejudge the NSAs without engaging them beforehand.
"It is best if the deputy minister engages with the stakeholders before jumping to any conclusion."
Datuk Chong Kim Fatt, the president of the Wushu Federation of Malaysia (WFM), expressed his disappointment with the statement which could only be described as populist in nature.
"The statement does not benefit anybody. It only serves to antagonise the NSAs who are supposedly the biggest stakeholders in the sporting fraternity. It is not fair for those who have worked hard and toiled night and day to bring success to their respective sports." - NST
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