SIBU: Sarawak Volleyball Association (Sava) has suspended the affiliation of Meradong Volleyball Association for a period of two years starting Oct 27.
Under the ban the association is barred from taking part in any competition and other activities organised by Sava.
However, players from Meradong can still play in Sava sanction tournaments through other affiliated associations or as individuals.
Sava chairman William Ting said the Meradong Volleyball Association was banned because of the unruly behaviour of its officials during the final of the boys’ under-16 Sarawak volleyball championship on Sept 26. The state body also took into account its affiliate’s statements pertaining to the walkout published in the local press.
A disputed line-call at the end of a tense final between Meradong and Sibu A team led to heated arguments and subsequently the walkout of the whole Meradong contingent.
The match was awarded to the Sibu team and the Meradong contingent boycotted the closing ceremony of the tournament.
“We had convened a meeting of committee members on Oct 23 and decided that Meradong Volleyball Association ought to apologise for their misbehaviour, but they ignored it, even after they were given a chance to do so in three days’ time.”
The grace period of three days ended on Oct 27 and as Meradong Volleyball Association refused to apologise, Sava had no other option but to suspend its affiliation for two years, Ting added.
The resolution was endorsed by Sava in its annual general meeting held here yesterday.
Sava also suspended referee Su Meo Chong, who is also the secretary of Meradong Volleyball Association, from officiating any Sava sanctioned matches for a year over his conduct during the same incident.
However, Su, who is an international referee, could still referee matches not organised by Sava, Ting added.