KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — The Wushu Federation of Malaysia (WFM) has made a drastic decision by terminating all forms of cooperation with the Sports Section, Strategic Planning Division (BPS) of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) with immediate effect.
WFM president Datuk Chong Kim Fatt said the decision meant the federation would not participate in any tournament organised by the MOHE (BPS) Sports Section, including games like the World University Games (Universiade) and the Asean University Games hereafter.
He claimed that one of the issues which made WFM ‘lose patience’ since both parties began working together in 2012 was that the MOHE Sports Section did not send a letter of request to WFM as the governing body to list the national wushu athletes or even express appreciation to them when its exponents returned home with proud successes at any tournament or sports events.
“Although wushu athletes often win medals in various sports competitions ‘organised’ by the MOHE BPS Sports Section, including the success of winning the first gold medal in the history of participation in the Universiade since 1985, they did not even send any letter of appreciation to WFM.
“It is as though the successes are purely the result of their (MOHE BPS Sports Section) efforts alone. Such an attitude and action is completely disrespectful and disrespectful to WFM,” he said at a press conference today.
In July this year, wushu exponent Tammy Tan Hui Ling made history when she ended a 38-year wait by winning Malaysia’s first gold medal at the Universiade in Chengdu, China, after topping the women’s Qiangshu (spear) with a score of 9,613 points.
In addition, Chong said the Sports Section never contributed to developing wushu sports, including attire and equipment for the training programme.
“Although the MOHE BPS Sports Section only borrowed athletes and coaches from WFM and the National Sports Council all this time, they have never thanked or appreciated our role and contribution,” he said.
In that regard, Chong said they will look for other partners to develop wushu sports in Malaysia after ending cooperation with the MOHE BPS Sports Section.
Meanwhile, when contacted, MOHE Sports Section deputy secretary Datuk Pekan Ramli said he is ready to meet WFM to clarify the situation for the good of Malaysia’s wushu athletes.
— Bernama
