‘Just let us play’, plead players
Malaysian dodgeball players have made it clear that they just want to play and do the nation proud.
A number of senior national players, who have played on both sides of the fence, have come forward to express why they left the Malaysian Association of Dodgeball (MAD) for the Malaysia Dodgeball Federation (MDF).
The presence of two national bodies with MAD, who introduced the sport here in 2008, and the newer MDF, setup in 2016, has created a divide in the sport.
MDF and MAD are under different world bodies at the international level and also compete using different rules. MDF compete using fabric balls while MAD use foam balls.
Fong Wee Liam said he is disappointed with MAD’s decision to ban players who play for MDF’s national team or in their competitions.
“Being committed to MAD for the past eight years, I think it is time to express my feelings towards the association.
“I’m upset that MAD are abusing their power to ban players who are involved in the other association (MDF). MDF do not ban players for playing for MAD as they feel that if the player is capable to handle both types of dodgeball (they should).
“Players just want to play dodgeball, not be part of your politics,” said Wee Liam.
Nathalie Liang Jia-Wern echoed Wee Liam’s sentiments in regard to MAD’s restrictions.
“When I was in the (MAD) national team, I was not sponsored, not a single cent from MAD. As I was facing some financial issues, I almost gave up my spot to represent my country,” said Nathalie.
“Luckily, with the help from my university, I could do so as they decided to sponsor my whole team.”
Former national captain Sathid Punyawan Ubull said: “We did not receive the support we had hoped for as a national team member.
“As for sponsorship, we as a national team member had to find sponsors in order to go for the World Championships with little help from the association, we asked our parents, companies and so on.
“MDF or MDF? It does not matter which association we are in, all that matters is we love dodgeball.”