Sepaktakraw, taekwondo and weightlifting get Sukma nod

PETALING JAYA: What a quick U-turn indeed!

Sepaktakraw, taekwondo and weightlifting have been handed a lifeline as they are back in the programme for the Sukma (Malaysia Games) in Perak from Sept 12-22.

The three sports were dropped from the Games just two months ago as a drastic measure to stop their slide at the local and international levels.

The Sukma management meeting chaired by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday reinstated the three sports following appeals from respective State Sports Councils.

However, several conditions have been set for the sports.

National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said Taekwondo Malaysia (TM) would have to allow exponents who were not under the umbrella body to take part in selection trials for Sukma and also international competitions if necessary.

“TM will also have to start working on bringing the different associations together,” said Shapawi.

“As for weightlifting, we want all lifters, coaches and officials involved at all levels to make sure there will not be any more doping cases in the future or we’ll have to drop the sport from the Sukma roster.

“The sepaktakraw national body have met with the Youth and Sports Ministry and agreed to draft a long term development plan for the sport at all levels.

“We’ve only allowed the three sports back into Sukma but the decision to leave them out from the core sports programme still remains,” said Shapawi.

The number of sports for Perak Sukma was also finalised. There will be a total of 29 sports involving 427 events at 39 venues in 12 districts.