RTC withdraws from Sarawak Taekwondo Association, cites unfair policies, practices
SIBU: Rajang Taekwondo Club (RTC) has officially withdrawn its membership from Sarawak Taekwondo Association (PTNS).
Its chief coach Thomas Tang revealed that they had lost confidence in the PTNS leadership which he alleged had conducted unfair policies and practices towards its affiliated members.
“As a result, we decided to withdraw from the state taekwondo body effective last Nov 1, 2023,” he said during the RTC Chinese New Year cum 15th anniversary celebration held last weekend.
Also in attendance were Stanley Chiew, representing Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker cum Lanang MP Alice Lau, and RTC president Kong Siu Ming.
For the past 15 years, Tang claimed, they had requested PTNS to write to the Education Ministry (KPM) to recognise RTC exponents for their outstanding achievements in the various local and international taekwondo tournaments including the Borneo Cup Chief Minister Invitation Taekwondo Championships from 2010 to 2022.
However, he added, PTNS never bothered to help write to KPM, hence depriving coaches, teachers and students of merits and benefits.
“Enough is enough and we will not be involved in any PTNS activities thereafter,” Tang stressed, adding that the club had joined Malaysia Kukkiwon Taekwondo Association (MKTA).
He conceded that their action would bring serious repercussions to the club as their athletes would no longer be able to represent Sarawak for Malaysia Games (Sukma) or the Sarawak Games (Suksar) since they are no longer affiliated to PTNS.
Tang urged Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah to look into the matter with urgency.
“The minister had always put strong emphasis that Sarawak will not play favourites when it comes to the selection of athletes to represent the state and, hopefully, he means what he speaks,” he added.
A sport, he lamented, should never be monopolised by a certain group that practised discrimination and unfair policies towards its affiliates.
“This is not healthy and it will marginalise the good and potential athletes from helping the state to achieve stellar results when it matters most.
“Indeed if Sarawak aims to win more gold medals, then all the players should be given a chance to showcase their potential.
“It should not be limited to just a few favourite athletes that clearly do not portray the true picture and the potential which we have,” he said.
Tang also expressed dissatisfaction with the selection of athletes in the sport for the 2024 Sukma.
The recent Suksar 2024 held in Sibu, he said, was “not open to all taekwondo groups ... Winners in Suksar taekwondo events may not be the best in Sarawak.”