'Influential, wealthy': Sports groups beyond Yeoh's control - Zaid
Published: Aug 16, 2024 9:51 PM
Sports associations are beyond the control of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, claimed former minister Zaid Ibrahim.
He said the problems in these associations, and the ways to treat them, are more complex than what was suggested by former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“Like everything else in the country, politicians and the influential, wealthy lot need to make their lives useful, so they start running sports associations.
“Sports give them publicity. They can travel well, and their entire expenses are paid to the Olympics and World Cups.
“They become patrons and presidents, though they have no skills whatsoever. They influence the decision-making process in training, selection, and whatever else they feel like doing.
“Can a minister prevail over them? No,” Zaid said in a post on X.
Former minister Zaid Ibrahim
Sports association row
A quarrel between Yeoh and Khairy has ensued from a controversy surrounding Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Norza Zakaria who was spotted attending the Olympics with his family in France.
This raised the public’s ire, who questioned if this was why certain national badminton players had to compete in Paris without their coaching staff, and who called for Norza to be sacked.
In response, Yeoh said certain leadership positions, such as those in the OCM and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), were elected by members of the respective organisations.
“Those elected by others, I do not have power to remove.
“That is done through a democratic process and we must respect that. I can only remove those I appoint,” she explained.
Sports association row
A quarrel between Yeoh and Khairy has ensued from a controversy surrounding Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Norza Zakaria who was spotted attending the Olympics with his family in France.
This raised the public’s ire, who questioned if this was why certain national badminton players had to compete in Paris without their coaching staff, and who called for Norza to be sacked.
In response, Yeoh said certain leadership positions, such as those in the OCM and Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), were elected by members of the respective organisations.
“Those elected by others, I do not have power to remove.
“That is done through a democratic process and we must respect that. I can only remove those I appoint,” she explained.
Former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin
Khairy then criticised Yeoh for passing the buck and being a taichi minister.
He also said on his podcast “Keluar Sekejap” that Yeoh should be courageous to confront the “big beasts” in sports associations.
Then, earlier today, Yeoh took aim at healthcare retailer Gintell Malaysia, calling its sponsorship of “Keluar Sekejap” distasteful.
“Your massage chair is now seen as the perfect platform for armchair critics.”
The minister also accused the podcast of implying she should “proactively interfere” with the OCM.
She then cited the Olympic Charter and the OCM’s constitution, saying she respected institutional boundaries and the separation of powers.
Careful analysis
Meanwhile, Zaid said careful analysis is needed to remedy the situation.
The problems plaguing the sports associations of each sport are also different, he said.
“They are different and require different treatment.”
Furthermore, the leader of each sports association is also unlikely to take responsibility or step down due to their failures, he added.
“The Malaysian way is to cling to the positions for as long as possible.”
Khairy then criticised Yeoh for passing the buck and being a taichi minister.
He also said on his podcast “Keluar Sekejap” that Yeoh should be courageous to confront the “big beasts” in sports associations.
Then, earlier today, Yeoh took aim at healthcare retailer Gintell Malaysia, calling its sponsorship of “Keluar Sekejap” distasteful.
“Your massage chair is now seen as the perfect platform for armchair critics.”
The minister also accused the podcast of implying she should “proactively interfere” with the OCM.
She then cited the Olympic Charter and the OCM’s constitution, saying she respected institutional boundaries and the separation of powers.
Careful analysis
Meanwhile, Zaid said careful analysis is needed to remedy the situation.
The problems plaguing the sports associations of each sport are also different, he said.
“They are different and require different treatment.”
Furthermore, the leader of each sports association is also unlikely to take responsibility or step down due to their failures, he added.
“The Malaysian way is to cling to the positions for as long as possible.”
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