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KUALA LUMPUR – A national sepak takraw player claimed that the top management of the Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) has ordered the squad to boycott and sabotage the 35th King’s Cup Sepak Takraw World Championship in Thailand last month.
The allegation was disclosed by the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Confederation (Mastaf) president Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman following a report from the officer accompanying the team in Bangkok.
Suhaili said the report stated that the player complained that he was unable to give his level best as he felt pressured when instructed to boycott the prestigious championship.
“The player complained of being under duress because he was allegedly instructed by the PSM president to boycott and sabotage the championship.
“Mastaf was indeed shocked by the statement made by the player,” he told Bernama.
Suhaili said Mastaf would submit a full report on the allegation to the National Sports Council.
If proven true, he said it would be the biggest betrayal of the country and the sports industry.
Suhaili elaborated that the officer’s report also stated that all the national players had also been called to meet with PSM president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan before leaving for Bangkok.
“The player said they were called to the president’s office and whoever did not want to participate in the championship was told to leave the office, and no one budged as they all wanted to serve the country and play in the championship in Bangkok,” he said.
Prior to this, Suhaili disclosed that Mastaf was investigating an allegation that some parties had wanted the national players to “play to lose” in Bangkok.
Meanwhile, Sumali, when contacted by Bernama, refuted the allegation saying that it was baseless.
“There was no such issue. In fact, I had held a Zoom meeting with all the players to motivate them on the night before they played in Bangkok and it was witnessed by the MSN (representatives),” he said.
Malaysia ended their campaign at the 35th King’s Cup Sepak Takraw World Championship last month with a gold medal in the men’s doubles and three bronzes in men’s regu, men’s inter-regu and women’s doubles events. – Bernama, August 10, 2022