AS long as Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail is alive, the sepaktakraw show in this country will go on!
That is the stance of the defiant Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association (PSM) president who faces a possible life ban from the sport by the Asian body.
At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Ahmad told the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (ASF) to include a clause in their constitution which will allow them to suspend their affiliates immediately.
Ahmad made the "request" after PSM were suspended by ASF, with effect from Wednesday, from taking part in any activities related to the sport.
Ahmad, who also faces a ban for bringing the ASF into disrepute, said: "Show me where in the ASF constitution or any other world class sports associations that ASF have the right to suspend everybody from conducting any activities.
"Prove this to me and only then I will reply to your questions. What are their rights? Show me the clause in their constitution. I have read, my lawyers have also read.
"And I would like to state here, that not only one lawyer confirmed it, but a lawyer, who is well versed in sports, was also of the same opinion," said Ahmad.
"ASF said it's (the clause) from their discipline committee. But is their discipline committee so powerful? No!... they can change their decisions anytime.
"Remember, the constitution of any sports body can only be amended by their congress," said Ahmad.
On Wednesday, the Bangkok-based ASF sent a show cause letter to PSM secretary Datuk Abidullah Salleh and suspended the national body that run sepaktakraw in Malaysia.
PSM also face the possibility of being kicked out from the Asian body after it was alleged that they violated an agreement to comply with all objectives and the constitution of the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) and ASF which were agreed upon on March 14, 2008.
ASF secretary-general Boonchai Lorhpipat, in the show cause letter, also alleged that PSM have slandered the ASF executive council.
"Don't worry, the STL (Malaysia's sepaktakraw league) will go on and all development will also be run accordingly. If it can't be run on my name, it will be run on other names but the show will go on.
"We are taking their show cause letter to court, and my message to sepaktakraw fans in the country is — as long as Ahmad Ismail is alive, the sport will also live!"
