KUALA LUMPUR: Incumbent Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) president Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail retained his post for the 2013-2021 term at the association’s annual general meeting today.
Ahmad Ismail, who held the post since 2002, won 51 votes to beat his challenger Datuk Markiman Kobiran, who is also Selangor Sepaktakraw Association president, who only managed 16 votes.
Datuk Akramuddin Abdul Aziz also defended the deputy president’s post after winning 51 votes, defeating Perlis Sepaktakraw Association president Syed Ararini Syed Ahmad Al Edroos, who garnered only 14 votes.
The three vice-presidency posts were filled by Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman and two new faces, namely Datuk Awang Sham Amit and Datuk Mohd Join Reduan.
Abdul Halim won the highest number of votes with 62 votes, followed by Awang Sham (53) and Mohd Sumali (51).
Speaking to reporters at a press conference after the meeting, Ahmad Ismail hoped that those wjo lost in the contest were not discouraged and would continue to support PSM's top leadership in revitalising the sport in the country.
"The winner does not gain anything and the loser does not lose anything. A post is not something for us to be (merely) proud of, but it is a trust and responsibility we must uphold.
"So, I urge my friend (Markiman) and all others to continue to come forward and help PSM to develop the sport of sepak takraw," he said.
Meanwhile, he also shared some ideas and reforms that will be implemented in PSM in the future.
"The Sepak Takraw League (STL) will continue with some new improvements, such as the introduction of STL Youth, a platform to unleash young talents.
"In addition, the best team from the Malaysian University Sports Council (MASUM) will be given a place to compete in the first division of STL," he said.
PSM has attracted heavy criticism in the past following a series of problems that have triggered a rift in the association, ultimately affecting the performance of the national squad.
The following is the complete result of the PSM polls which took place:
President:
Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail (51 votes)
Datuk Markiman Kobiran (16 votes)
Deputy President:
Datuk Akramuddin Abdul Aziz (51 votes)
Syed Ararini Syed Ahmad Al Edroos (14 votes)
Vice Presidents:
1. Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman (62 votes)
2. Datuk Awang Sham Amit (53 votes)
3. Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan (51 votes)
4. Abdul Razak Rahman (12 votes)
5. Syed Husain Syed Abu Bakar Al Edroos (11 votes)
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