SINGAPORE – Sanctions continue to fall on the beleaguered Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation (Perses).
Days after its president Nasri Haron was banned from the sport locally and internationally for 10 years by the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (Astaf), Perses secretary-general Zahid Abdul Aziz has also been suspended for five years.
The Singapore body has also been ordered to ensure its president and secretary-general vacate their offices within 90 days of the notice, which was dated Dec 5.
Zahid, who faced two charges, did not attend the hearing by the Astaf disciplinary panel, comprising members from India, Japan, Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia and Malaysia, which convened on Nov 26.
Both charges were for acts of misconduct.
The first alleged he was involved in Perses issuing and communicating “formal official statements disparaging Astaf as the sepak takraw governing body to other international federations and/or sport bodies on matters that are of internal nature”.
It also included his alleged involvement in communication “intending to seek intervention by other international federations and/or sport bodies on Astaf’s efficient administration and governance and challenging Astaf’s autonomous authority, thereby acting in a manner outside of Astaf and in breach of Astaf rules and regulations”.
These were in relation to statements Nasri made that were “scurrilous and defamatory of the leadership and the executive council of Astaf”.
He made these alleged statements in a letter and two e-mails that were delivered to Astaf members – and later copied to officials in the Olympic Council of Asia and International Olympic Committee – in February 2021.
The second charge alleged that he had “intentionally and/or maliciously, disposed of and/or inappropriately removed and/or caused loss of the property of Astaf valued at US$10,000 (S$13,500)... without due notice to Astaf”.
According to the press release from Astaf, the property comprised balls and books which were disposed by Zahid and others at a waste disposal site in front of Perses’ Centre of Excellence at Bedok North on Feb 5, 2020.
He was also ordered to pay Astaf US$5,000 to cover the cost of convening the disciplinary hearing, failing which it will result in an additional two years’ suspension.
He has 21 days to lodge an appeal.
In a press statement, Zahid said Perses is reviewing the decision and seeking legal advice on the matter.
He added: “Perses will continue its operations unchanged. Perses is the sole and recognised national federation/national sport association for the sport of sepak takraw in the Republic of Singapore and that status quo will not change.”
In response to ST’s queries, Astaf president Abdul Halim Kader said that if Perses fails to comply, it may suspend Perses’ membership from the Asian body.
He added: “If that happens, Perses will not be able to nominate its athletes for Astaf competitions, but the athletes may still continue to compete at the SEA Games and Asian Games under the Singapore National Olympic Council if SNOC is agreeable.”
The SNOC has confirmed that it will step in to protect Singapore’s athletes if necessary.
An SNOC spokesman said: “If required, the Singapore National Olympic Council will invoke the major Games preparation committee to manage the athletes’ nominations, selection and preparations for the major Games, and to ensure that the athletes’ interests are insulated and protected from any sanctions imposed on the Singapore Sepak Takraw Federation.”
In November 2019, Nasri ousted Halim 12-9 in Perses’ elections. Halim had been Perses president since 2000, except for a spell from 2013 to 2015, when he served as general secretary, a role the 71-year-old had previously held from 1982 to 1999.
Despite being voted out of his leadership position in Perses, Halim remains the president of Astaf, a position he has held since 2004.
