Sports Commissioner should be treated with more respect

DID the organisers of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia 2011 sought the Sports Commissioner's (SC) approval to host the world class tournament? They only thought about it late yesterday. The tournament, featuring the likes of ace golfers Cristie Kerr ( pic ), Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis, is set tocommence tomorrow. A quick check with the SC's Office yesterday revealed they have yet to receive any formal letter from the organisers. Nevertheless, the paperwork was sorted out later in the evening. "I presume there was a slip-up. We have just received their letter and gave our endorsement. After all, the government has pledged their support to the tournament," was the diplomatic reply of Sports Commissioner Datuk Yassin Salleh. Those who know Yassin since his days as the Sports Ministry secretary general will agree he is a polite but no-nonsense man. But playing Sports Commissioner has somehow tied his tongue. The role and function of the SC's Office under the Sports Development Act 1997 is somewhat vague. Article 36 of the Act states: "A company shall not involve itself in any sporting activity or activity related to sports- unless it is licensed to do so by the Commissioner." Any person guilty of such an offence can be fined up to RM5,000 or jailed for a term not exceeding six months, as per Article 39. Sadly, the Act is silent as to the time frame of the approval. Companies can apply a year before the tournament or submit an hour before their event starts - as long as they receive the approval from the SC. That wasn't the case in the Energizer Night Run in April. The organisers of the marathon did not seek the approval of the SC's office as they claimed it was a "fun run". Yet, the organisers were left off the hook with a slap on the wrist by the SC's Office. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) held their annual general meeting last Sunday. This was their first meeting after five years. Apparently, the media was not invited. Despite waiting for two hours, I was unable to speak to anyone as I was told by three officials that "it was an internal meeting". But during the tea break, several officials confessed no one had objected over MPC's RM4 million "investment" into an events management company Paralimpik Ventures Sdn Bhd. For the record, MPC president Datuk Zainal Abu Zarin is listed as one of the directors for Paralimpik Ventures. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the SC's Office are well aware of the supposed investment but there has not been any updates from either bodies. And once again the hands of the SC seem to be tied. In all fairness, mega sports events receive the support from the government as they generate income - either in monetary or branding of the nation. All sporting associations, meanwhile, are laden with internal bickering and politics. But the issue here is getting associations and companies to adhere to the laws of the country for the benefit of Malaysian sports. It is high time the powers-that-be revamp the Sports Development Act 1997 to clearly define the roles and functions of the SC's Office. Otherwise, it will be safe to presume the SC's Office is merely a rubber stamp body.