Tuesday, December 15, 2009

NSC set to pull plug on STAM


THE dismal performances in the Sea Games may cost the Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (STAM) the support of the National Sports Council (NSC).

Having been beaten by Thailand yet again in the team final on Friday, the inter-regu competition on Saturday saw Malaysia suffer a historic defeat to Laos and then Thailand.

NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong said this was due to the constant interference of the STAM top brass in the team's preparations.

"I think we will have to reconsider our support for the sepaktakraw squad if this continues. We may only provide them grants in the future and they can do what they want with it," said Zolkples in Vientiane yesterday.

The elite squad were supposed to be preparing under the NSC's Gemilang programme targeted at the Sea Games and next year's Asian Games, but STAM officials, said Zolkples, had constantly disrupted the smooth flow of the programme.

"For instance, they just brought the players to Penang for a training camp prior to the Sea Games. Nobody had planned for this but suddenly their president (Datuk Ahmad Ismail) decided to do it," said Zolkples.

"The players, too, lost focus because of this. We cannot be planning a programme and then have it disrupted by their officials each time. So, after the Sea Games we will be reviewing this collaboration."

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