Malaysia Kicked Out Of Asian Sepak Takraw Body Over Letter To Olympic Council

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Editor's note: The story has been updated with new information on the content of the letter.

The decision — effective yesterday, 20 May — as made after hearing the charges presented by the prosecutor John Vijayan Vasavan, the federation's Disciplinary Committee chairman Yogender Singh Dahiya said in a statement yesterday.

According to Bernama, John had been appointed by ASTAF to oversee the case.

"It is with utmost sadness that ASTAF made this painful decision, but it has to be done for the good of the sepak takraw fraternity," Yogender lamented.

He added that, "It is also to send a strong signal to the sporting fraternity that irresponsible behaviour will not be condoned."

Yogender added that if PSM failed to do so, they would be presumed guilty and ultimately expelled.

Bernama reported that the Malaysian sepak takraw governing body would have to pay a fee of USD2,000 (RM8,290) if they do decide to appeal.

According to Bernama, the disciplinary panel had decided to ban Ahmad after hearing four charges against him for sending a letter to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

The letter was also copied and sent to the International Olympics Committee (IOC) under his capacity as ASTAF deputy president on 24 February.

In a statement released by the disciplinary panel who oversaw the case, the first charge against Ahmad was for breaching Article 2d(viii) of the ASTAF by-laws.

It was reported that he had committed an act or written statements that were ungentlemanly, insulting, or improper or likely to bring disrepute to the game.

By writing the same letter, he was given a second charge for violating Article 5.3 of the ASTAF Constitution, in which he had attempted to disrupt and/or destabilise the efficient administration of ASTAF.

The third charge was for breaching Article 5.5 of the federation's constitution which states that he had attempted to destroy ASTAF's independence in all matters directly and indirectly relating to the game of sepak takraw.

He had committed the act with writing the same letter which was used to seek out the help of the OCA and the IOC to intervene in the ASTAF council elections on 1 March.

The final charge against Ahmad is for disregarding the following written agreements which he pledged to the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) and ASTAF in his capacity as the president of PSM on 14 March 2008.

Yogender said that PSM was also found guilty of violating the same written pledge given to the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) and ASTAF that had been made on 14 March 2008.

According to the agreement, PSM and Ahmad had pledged "to support ISTAF and ASTAF to establish and maintain efficient administration of the federation."