KUCHING: Serian Amateur Swimming Association (SERIANS) is accusing the Amateur Swimming Association of Sarawak (Asas) for using “unscrupulous tactics” to prevent its entry as an affiliate in the state body.
This latest episode comes in the wake of a recent call by the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah for an end to politicking in the local sports scene.
In a statement released yesterday, SERIANS expressed “full support” for the minister’s stand.
It is reassuring, they said, to hear from the minister that “any athlete who wish to excel in sports will get the best support from the Ministry and the State government.”
The Serian association expressed frustration that its application to be an affiliate of Asas remains unresolved.
They were “barred from affiliation” and took issue with Asas for “limiting the affiliations to 7 divisional affiliate members only, while Sarawak already have 12 divisions now!”
The statement highlighted recent events in the local swimming arena and said: “Sadly, the selfish and childish effort by the present (Asas) leadership continues without remorse or heeding advices from the Minister to refocus its effort to develop the sport.”
It credited the Minister’s last-minute intervention after their swimmers were initially “denied participation” in the 2017 Sarawak Age-Group Championship.
More recently, they said, a local swimming club PASC was “blocked by Asas from taking part in future national level competition.”
“We wonder what is Asas doing and how do we place our trust in the present leadership of Asas to ensure Sarawak Team will have the best swimmers to represent the state,” SERIANS added.