Malaysia Karate Federation kick up a fuss with NSC.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Karate Federation (Makaf) hope the National Sports Council (NSC) do not discriminate when it comes to allocating funds to national sports associations in the country.

Makaf secretary Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad (pic) was particularly disappointed over the treatment given to the association by the NSC.

He felt the government agency in charge of sports should be fair to all national sports bodies and not focus on certain popular sports.

“We see that NSC are more focused on glamour sports. As the stakeholder entrusted with allocation of funds, NSC should listen to our views and proposals and not decide on everything. If this is the case, then let them run the national sports bodies.

“I see that sports that do not have achievements are still given priority.

“If you call for a meeting but do not listen to our views, what’s the point of calling for one?

“A contact sport like us are ignored but then we are the ones who are asked to deliver when it comes to major Games,” said Azmi, who also hoped the NSC can appreciate local coaches by offering them better salary remunerations.

“Salary scale should be based on the achievements of the relevant sports.

“But it’s sad that a local coach only gets a five per cent salary increase in two years (RM140).

“Why is it that a foreign coach of a glamour sport can be paid highly and yet have no achievements to show?

“But when medal contributions are needed, they come to karate.

“Makaf did not continue with Iran coach Ali Reza Souleymani, who was getting RM18,000 but we want to give a chance to local coaches with the hope that they can be given a salary scale of RM5,000.

“But is it fair to local coaches if they are only paid RM4,000 but are expected to deliver like a foreign coach?

“We need to look after their welfare also.

“I hope the Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican can look into this,” he said.