Settle issue internally, SRU told
Published on: Sunday, February 04, 2024
By: Bernama
PJS Suhardi Alias said internal resolution according to an association’s constitution was the best way forward so that the development of rugby at the state level would not be affected.
Kuala Lumpur: The Sports Commissioner (PJS) has advised the Sabah Rugby Union (SRU) and Malaysia Rugby (MR) to resolve their dispute using internal channels according to the complaint procedures of associations.
PJS Suhardi Alias said internal resolution according to an association’s constitution was the best way forward so that the development of rugby at the state level would not be affected.
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“If it still cannot be resolved, they can apply to the Sports Dispute Committee (SDC) for consideration,” he told Bernama when contacted.
The Youth and Sports Ministry set up SDC last July to hear and give views on internal disputes of sports bodies referred to the committee.
Suhardi clarified that MR can hold its annual general meeting (AGM) without tabling its audited financial report to affiliate members if it secures the agreement of more than two-thirds of delegates to proceed with the meeting.
On Friday, SRU president Velayuthan Tan said they have decided to stay away from any activities or competitions organised by MR until the national body responds to allegations about their accounts and the proceedings of the elections last December.
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SRU secretary L. Ramesh, on the other hand, questioned the validity of the AGM on Dec 2, saying no audited accounts were tabled before affiliate members of the national body.
In December 2022, MR said they had lodged a police report after discovering that a substantial sum of money had been allegedly siphoned from their bank account by an administration staff member dating back to 2019.
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MR has yet to issue a clarification regarding the SRU issue.
Meanwhile, Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei made history by becoming the first woman president to lead the Selangor Rugby Union (KRS) since it was established over 100 years ago.
At KRS’ annual general meeting (AGM) Saturday, Lim, 34, who Cobra Rugby Club nominated, was announced as the uncontested winner for the position for the 2024-2026 term.
Speaking to reporters later, she said that the decision to lead KRS was not to become popular or to hold a position in a sports organisation but because she is genuinely passionate about the sport.
Rugby, she said, was not unfamiliar to her as she played the ‘physical’ sport while studying at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, to the extent of suffering ligament injuries and a broken cheekbone.
“I feel quite nervous (about becoming president), but (I) take it as a good thing. This can serve as an example to other women involved in sports, not just as athletes but also as administrators.
“The main goal (is) to restore Selangor as a rugby powerhouse. For that, more development and exposure activities will be organised at all levels by working closely with clubs, affiliates and schools to improve the talent pipeline,” she said.
Lim said she has been actively involved in KRS, women’s rugby development and women’s sports since becoming an assemblyman in 2018.
In the meantime, she said her immediate focus is to prepare the Selangor team for the Agong’s Cup and the organisation of the KRS League.
Selangor has won the Agong’s Cup six times (1984, 1987, 1997, 2001, 2004 and 2006) but has not won the title since 2007.
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