Kuala Lumpur: Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has urged national sports associations (NSAs) to resolve any internal disputes on their own before escalating matters to the Sports Dispute Committee (JKPS). Hannah highlighted that of the 75 cases received by JKPS last year, most could have been settled internally.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the minister advised those holding positions within NSAs to understand all aspects of sports administration and legislation before bringing any disputes to the next level. She emphasized the importance of sports administrators being well-informed about processes to avoid confusion regarding where to seek assistance. She noted the current challenges faced due to committee members approaching different authorities, leading to inefficiency.
Hannah announced that JKPS, established in 2023, has proposed that the National Sports Council establish a one-stop centre to aid athletes in seeking clarification on sports-related disputes. Additionally, she confirmed the rea
ppointment of former Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary-general Datuk Low Beng Choo as JKPS chairman for another two-year term, from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2027.
Furthermore, Hannah revealed that JKPS has retained lawyer Prof Dr Jady@Zaidi Hassim and appointed three new members: lawyer Datuk Rajasekaran Murugiah, former national cyclist and triathlete Kimbeley Yap-Chelliah, and former national equestrian star Mohd Qabil Ambak Mahamad Fathil. She expressed gratitude to the outgoing JKPS members for their service and commitment.
Meanwhile, Beng Choo clarified that only 14 of the 75 cases received last year were officially referred to JKPS, with two cases undergoing the hearing process. These cases pertained to athlete selection for competitions and issues related to the treatment of athletes during international events.
JKPS’s functions include hearing and providing opinions on internal disputes referred by sports bodies, resolving complaints from any member of such bodies, and identifying and re
commending actions to settle such disputes.