# Thanks to a spate of doping cases dumb-bells fall on weightlifters
# ‘Politics’ kill taekwando
# Sepaktakraw’s given the boot due to its downward slide in the sport
The Youth and Sports Minister has a sent a strong a powerful message that “you need to perform” and bring in the desired results to get funding from the government.
And to show that he meant business Khairy Jamaluddin announced after chairing the National Sports Council (NSC) management board in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesdaythat weightlifting, sepaktakraw and taekwondo have been dropped from the core sports that will feature in next year’s Sukma (Malaysia Games) in Perak.
With the three booted out the number of core sports is now 16 from its original 19 that will be contested in Sukma Perak. A total of 29 sports will be contested in Perak.
Too many doping cases in weightlifting were reported to the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) in the last four years. However, weightlifting’s failure to deliver in this year’s KL2017 Sea Games added weight for the sport to be thrown out.
The leadership tussles in taekwondo has affected the sport and Khairy, speaking during a press conference after the signing ceremony between 100PLUS and Kuala Lumpur Sports City on Tuesday, said was quoted as saying: ” Taekwondo’s standards have dropped even at regional level.”Sepaktakraw was introduced to the world by Malaysia but since then the game has its “lustre” at home and the country has been losing even to minnows including Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar and even Laos.
With the hard decision taken by the ministry the three affected sports will not only be taken out of the National Sports Council (NSC) programme but will also have their funding terminated.
Uniquely, sepaktakraw and weightlifter Azroy Hazal Wafie are under the Podium Programme and are not affected, assured Khairy.
“There are athletes who have the potential to deliver at the elite level. Their sports may have been dropped from the list of core sports but their status in the Podium Programme is not affected.”
Meanwhile, 100PLUS, Malaysia’s No 1 istonic drink, signed a five-year deal with Kuala Lumpur Sports City (KLSC) – worth RM5 million in cash and products worth RM500,000 by Fraser and Neave Holdings Berhad (F&N).
The deal, apart from promoting 100PLUS and to maintain KLSC facilities as a world-class sports hub in the region, will also see the creation of a 1,400m long 100PLUS-themed cycling track around the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
“It is win-win situation that will benefit both parties,” said Khairy.BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
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