Sports Commissioner open to FTAA approval if merger terms resolved

Sports Commissioner Arrifin Ghani says new Federal Territories body can proceed, but only if Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya dissolve existing associations and merge with equal standing.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sports Commissioner Arrifin Ghani said his office is prepared to approve the formation of the Federal Territories Athletics Association (FTAA), provided the Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya athletics bodies agree to dissolve and merge into a single entity with equal representation.

His remarks come after Labuan Athletics Association secretary Rosni Aliskah raised concerns over the composition of the FTAA, claiming Labuan had not been consulted and would only be granted associate membership without voting rights.

“There can’t be different bodies. Labuan AA, Putrajaya AA and FTKLAA must cease to exist before a new FTAA body is approved,” said Arrifin.

“FTAA must comprise members from all three bodies, and each must have equal rights. For example, if the president is from KL, there could be one deputy president each from Labuan and Putrajaya when a pro-tem committee is formed.

“From there, they can decide how to structure the new constitution.”

Arrifin said once those matters are resolved, there is nothing stopping FTAA from becoming an affiliate of Malaysia Athletics.

Previously, the Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Athletics Association (FTKLAA), Malaysia’s most successful athletics body, had been affiliated with the national association for over 40 years. However, following the name change from the Malaysian Athletics Federation to Malaysia Athletics, FTKLAA found itself excluded.

This followed the Sports Commissioner’s Office’s approval of Malaysia Athletics’ new constitution on Jan 15, 2025, which mandates that Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan form a single unified entity.

At a meeting today with Malaysia Athletics, Rosni reiterated her concerns over the proposed FTAA structure.

“I was informed we would become an associate of FTAA. That means we won’t have voting rights. I need an explanation – why did KL go ahead and form a new association without taking our views into account,” she said.

“We don’t mind joining forces with KL and Putrajaya, as long as all of us have an equal say in running the association. If we have to dissolve our association to become a member of FTAA, let it be on equal footing.”

There were no representatives from Putrajaya at the meeting, while Kuala Lumpur’s Datuk Seri Dr V. Pulainthiran and his delegation left without speaking to the media.

Pulainthiran had moved to form the new body ahead of last year’s annual general meeting, which saw the return of Datuk Karim Ibrahim as Malaysia Athletics president.