KUCHING: The National Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) will not tolerate any of its players taking drugs.Its president Datuk Ahmad Ismail said regardless of gender, players will be punished.
“A player was dropped from the national team due to her disciplinary problem,” he said yesterday, referring to a woman sepak takraw player who was caught taking drugs two years ago.
He added that the player had undergone her punishment.
“This ought to remind all players that PSM takes the drug matter seriously and will not hesitate to take stern action against those involved,” he said.
Earlier, Ismail was delighted to see the progress of sepak takraw development programme in the state.
He congratulated the state sepak takraw body (PSS) for its tireless efforts in bringing rapid changes to the sport statewide.
“I received a report from the state’s sepak takraw committee and I was pleased with the programme and the administrative structure of the association to raise the standard of the sport in the state,” he said when met yesterday.
Ismail noted that the comprehensive development plan within a decade drafted by Sarawak Sepak Takraw association showed that the state is determined to make Sarawak one of takraw’s powerhouses in Malaysia.
He commended the PSS committee for producing the state’s men and women’s sepak takraw teams.
“This is a positive sign of sepak takraw development in the state and in the country as a whole,” he said.
Ismail also praised Sarawak’s achievement in other sports and its strong commitment to developing sports in general.
Sarawak has been a strong fortress of sports in the country and has long been a powerhouse in Sukma,” he said.
Sarawak is among the few states in Malaysia that has the best facilities and modern sports infrastructure. These could become the main factor for Sarawak to move one step ahead in sports development.
Because of this, Ismail proudly announced that Sarawak will host for the seventh national sepak takraw competition from July 9 to 11 this year.
He mentioned the competition will gather the whole national sepak takraw heavyweights including the likes of the Police and Armed Forces of Malaysia (ATM).
Ismail was on a two-day visit to Sarawak to inspect its development programme.
Together with him are the parent body secretary general Datuk Arshad Yahaya and National Sepak Takraw Coaching chairman cum the national Sports Council inspector Tengku Adnan Tengku Burhanudin.
Meanwhile, the State Sepak Takraw Association will organise this year’s Sarawak Cup sepak takraw tournament.
The association’s vice president Paruwadi Musa said the association would reveal the date soon.
“The tournament will be used to spot new talents in the sport to be drafted into the national squad,” he said.