Sports commissioner to press MA on FTAA affiliation delay

2026-03-28 - 05:40

Sports Commissioner Arrifin Ghani will meet Malaysia Athletics to address the delay in granting FTAA affiliate status. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR: Sports Commissioner Arrifin Ghani will call Malaysia Athletics (MA) for a meeting early next week to explain the delay in granting affiliate status to the Federal Territories Athletics Association (FTAA). Arrifin said his office viewed the application as complete and in line with requirements, and now wants clarity on why the process has stalled. “The documentation is in order and the process has been followed,” he said. “So we need to understand what is holding this up and why it has taken this long.” The Sports Commissioner’s Office approved FTAA’s constitution on July 7, 2025 after consultations with relevant parties. Officials circulated that approval, including to MA, 11 days later. Eight months on, the association remains outside the national framework. Arrifin said the delay has begun to affect multiple layers of the sport, from competitions to funding and athlete progression. “FTAA is active in development, with programmes for junior athletes running throughout the year,” he said. “These are not one-off events. They form part of a pipeline that brings young athletes into the system.” He stressed that grassroots structures depend on continuity and recognition from the national body. “When you have schools and clubs committing to a calendar, sending athletes, and building training cycles around these meets, you need stability. “Without that, the entire base becomes uncertain,” he said. Recent FTAA competitions have drawn strong participation from schools and clubs across the country, particularly at junior level. Events have seen packed start lists in track and field disciplines, with multiple heats and full fields reflecting growing interest. Coaches have pointed to rising standards driven by regular competition, while parents and institutions continue to support the programme. Arrifin said that momentum must be supported, not disrupted. “Grassroots is where the sport lives,” he said. “If you weaken that layer, you affect everything above it, including state and national performance.” He said affiliation to the national body remains essential for the sport to function properly. “Affiliate status allows an association to obtain sanction for its events, and that is tied directly to funding and official results. “Without it, organisers face barriers that should not exist if the structure is clear,” he said. The impact has already been felt financially. FTAA lost RM40,000 under the youth and sports ministry’s sports matching grant (GPS) scheme for a junior championships after it failed to produce the required sanction letter, despite the event receiving initial approval. Arrifin said such outcomes highlight the need for timely decisions. “These matters require a prompt response because delays have consequences on the ground. “If decisions are not made in time, programmes are affected, funding is lost, and athletes miss opportunities. In the long run, the sport pays the price,” he said. FTAA president V Pulainthiran welcomed the commissioner’s intervention and expressed hope for a quick resolution. “We appreciate the commissioner stepping in to seek clarity on this matter,” he said. “Our focus has always been on development, and we hope this can be resolved so that the athletes can move forward within the proper structure.” He said the association remains ready to comply with all requirements. “We have done what is needed on our side and we look forward to a positive outcome,” he said. “The sooner this is settled, the better it will be for everyone involved, especially the athletes.” MA did not respond to queries.