KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 – The Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) served an ‘ace’ on states who have the tendency to pinch players from other states.
LTAM (Tennis Malaysia) is not stopping at that on this ‘dirty play’ and has set up a task force at its first virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) which took place on Saturday (Sept 25).
The task force will further tighten the screws on the matter.
The task force comprises of:
Tennis Malaysia vice-president Johnson Koh (Sabah)
Hon Secretary: Kamaruzaman Kedah (N. Sembilan)
Hon Treasurer: Hang Kok Long (Penang)
Exco member: Fazwil Abdul Wahid (Perak)
Dr. Rahizam Rahim (Selangor)
Johnson Koh revealed that pinching of players by states is ‘rampant’, especially during Sukma (Malaysia Games) and it hurts the states that spent considerable amount of money to groom them.
”They are talented players with a bright future. Of course it hurts to lose them to other states as these states have the financial means to ‘buy’ such talent. That’s why Tennis Malaysia has taken a hard stand on the matter,” said Johnson Koh who is also the president of Sabah Tennis Association (Tennis Sabah).
The businessman from Sandakan revealed that Sabah lost players to Negeri Sembilan while Selangor lost their players to Kuala Lumpur.
“We are out to stop this ‘disease’ for the good of tennis and for the sport to develop further in the country.
”The task force will fine tune the existing MSN (National Sports Council) rules and guidelines for all states to adhere to – in synergy with the existing rules and guidelines”, he added.
 A total of 57 delegates from 14 states and the Armed Forces Tennis Association took part in the meeting via Zoom. The meeting was chaired by Tennis Malaysia president, Mirzan Tun Mahathir.
“For the good of the sport, it has never been more important for us to come together. Thanks to the modern technology with live virtual streaming, it has enabled us to overcome the temporary barriers that have been placed in our path”, said Mirzan in his welcome address.
In the same breath, Mirzan revealed sponsors lowered the figures compared to previous years due to the strict MCO and SOP in place due to the ravaging pandemic that has taken its toll worldwide.
At the same meeting the delegates deliberated on various issues, including the audited financial statements that were tabled by the new treasurer (Hang Kok Long).
The financial statements were scrutinized and queried but approved after answers were provided.
Another important resolution that was debated at length was the selection of players to represent Malaysia.
”This was debated by the delegates and selection of national players must be referred and approved by the Tennis Malaysia Exco,” said Johnson Koh.
About The Author
