KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Association of Dodgeball (MAD) president Datuk Samson Maman has expressed his disappointment at how the sport has been divided in the country.
Samson claims that two former ministers under the previous government had caused the sport to be divided by setting up another national body — the Malaysia Dodgeball Federation (MDF) — in 2016.
He, however, did not name the duo.
The national men’s team were crowned champions at the World Championships which ended in Los Angeles on Sunday, while the women’s side finished second. Both teams are under MAD.
“This (World Championships) victory is the result of 10 years of hard work and it belongs to the players, parents and officials who came together to make it possible,” said Samson.
“It was not a fly-by-night effort, a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into it.
“The sport has picked up a strong following in the region since we introduced it here and we also helped setup the Asia Pacific Dodgeball Federation.
“It is such that everyone now wants to jump in and have a piece of the pie. It’s okay, we are here to focus on the kids and the sport.
“We are, however, very disappointed that two former ministers were behind the split when it was united in this country.
“Now it looks like there are two (national) bodies, it is very difficult. The confusion is even spilling into the current Sports Ministry but I think they have a clearer view of which association is which.”
MAD, which was already active in 2008 but was officially setup in 2009, is a founding member of the World Dodgeball Federation and for them the highest competition is the World Championships.
MDF, which is headed by former deputy tourism and culture minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, are affiliated to World Dodgeball (WD) and competes in the World Cup.
Both national associations have been acknowledged by the Sports Commissioner Office — which is not normally allowed — as there are two world bodies for the sport.
Samson hopes for better treatment from the Sports Ministry under Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
“We do have plans to meet Syed Saddiq but we will let the team settle down first,” added Samson.
“The previous minister sidelined us and our achievements as champions in the previous years were also not recognised by him,” he added.