New chief to lead NAAM

THE National Archery Association of Malaysia (NAAM) elected a new leadership led by deputy defence minister Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharum at their annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Johari edged incumbent Yazid Yahya in a close vote, 19-18, in a three-way battle for the president’s post while former NAAM secretary Mej (rtd) Baharuddin Jamil was a distant third after polling eight votes from the 46 delegates present, with one ballot spoilt.

Ahmad Zaini Shamsuddin was elected deputy president unopposed after his challenger Zainal Bidin withdrew while Zamzaini Zolkeffi and Shamsuddin Ibrahim are the two new vicepresidents.

The result of the voting for the president’s post highlighted a split that is still evident within the association following an earlier attempt, which was later resolved, to bar five affiliates from the meeting.

Johari urged the affiliates to put their differences behind them and work for the betterment of the sport.

“I am grateful for the trust placed in me to lead NAAM after being approached by several associations to contest in these elections,” said Johari.

“I want everyone to be committed to the sport because without cooperation the association will not go anywhere and we can’t develop the sport.

“Let bygones be bygones and I hope that everyone who contested in these elections will support the work of the executive committee.”

Yazid’s ouster follows two years of rocky relations between NAAM and their affiliates and internal strife within the association.

But Johari hopes that everyone within the sport is focused on the main objectives.

“I am ready to listen to advice and receive constructive criticism,” he said. “Our goal should be the same, that is to develop archery in the country and continue to produce archers of quality.”

In other posts, outgoing deputy president Chong Yap Jin was one of six executive committee members elected along with Mej (rtd) Amir Suharman Adnan, Zainuddin Talib, Lt Kol (rtd) Esah Sulaiman, Azri Mat Yusof and Abdul Razak Yaacob.

Paul Leong defeated Hussin Abdullah 24-21 to become treasurer. Devinder Singh