Allen Wong (centre) and (from left) Kong, H’ng, Chan and Sim thanking the delegates for electing them for the new WFM term 2016-2018. — Photo by Lim Chee Sem
KUALA LUMPUR: Allen Wong Siew Poh made history for Sarawak wushu when he won the presidency in the Wushu Federation of Malaysia (WFM) AGM at the Olympic Sports Complex in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday (June 19).
The Wushu Federation of Sarawak (WFS) president polled nine votes against his opponent from Johor Wushu Association (WA) Yong Yii Yaak’s seven votes in the tight contest. This is the first time in history that a Sarawakian has been elected to head the national wushu body since it was set up in April 1977. Current WFS deputy president James Ting Ing Seek was elected WFM chairman for the 2014-2016 term two years ago.
It was also the first time in Malaysian wushu history that the biggest number of 52 out of 62 delegates from 16 states turned up for the AGM.
As WFM life honorary president and former president Dato Sri Kee Yong Hui put it: “This is the first time in the history of Malaysian wushu that I have seen such a big number of delegates coming to the AGM and the first time that the presidency and other main posts are intensely contested.”
For further cheer in the Sarawak camp, WFS secretary William Kong Sing Yii was also elected as WFM secretary after he beat Malacca WA’s Yong Kheng Chiew by two votes (9-7).
After two rounds of voting, Dato H’ng Ban Choon of Penang WA was declared winner of the deputy president’s post over Chong Kim Fatt of Negeri Sembilan WA while the presidents of state affiliate associations were automatically made vice presidents.
New chairman is Sim Lim Keng of Johor WA and Chan Chin Yong of Putra WA retained his post as the treasurer after three rounds of voting.
Other office-bearers — assistant treasurer, two assistant secretaries and 64 management committee members — will be appointed by the president in due course.
The voting process, which went on smoothly after a technical glitch, was chaired by Assistant Sports Commissioner Malaysia Mohd Syakir Che Mansor. Also present were Olympic Council of Malaysia secretary Datuk Law Beng Choo, representatives from National Sports Council and Malaysia Sports Comissioner’s office.
When interviewed, a delighted Wong said unity in the entire wushu fraternity is paramount. “I do not want to see any split or opposing parties in the association and in my term of office from 2016-2018, I will strive to strengthen unity of the association because we are one big wushu family,” he said.
Wong said internal fueding may even isolate the sport as it can be excluded from future Sukma or bigger competitions.
Having headed WFS for four months, Wong was honoured to be selected as the new WFM president. “Apart from some restructuring, we shall develop wushu at all levels and win more medals for the country at SEA and Asian Games as well as at World and Asian Junior Championships,” he said.
“I will be sitting down with the coaches and national athletes to discuss matters so they can become strong medal contenders at next year’s KL SEA Games. I also thank my team, WFS and supporters and all those who voted for me.” Wong added.