Sports Commissioner: Malaysia Pickleball Association to get more time as suspension letter held at Miri Post Office

The Sports Commissioner's Office says the Malaysia Pickleball Association has yet to receive a suspension letter as it is stuck at the Miri Post Office.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sports Commissioner Arrifin Ghani says the Malaysia Pickleball Association (MPA) will be given more time to respond to a suspension letter after his office discovered it was still at the Miri Post Office in Sarawak.

Arrifin said he was surprised to learn that MPA has yet to receive the suspension letter he signed on Feb 27.

“I read what MPA wrote on Facebook today, saying it has yet to receive the suspension letter,” said Arrifin.

“My office checked and discovered that the letter is still at the Miri Post Office.

“As such, we will give MPA more time to respond. We have also sent them an email to ensure they are aware of it.”

Under the Sports Development Act 1997, an association has 30 days to respond to a suspension letter explaining why it should not be deregistered.

Arrifin said he hopes MPA will act to rectify the governance issues highlighted in the letter.

The suspension follows a show cause letter issued on Feb 14, which gave MPA 14 days to respond to the proposed action under Section 20(1A)(c) and (e) of the Act, following a series of governance concerns that have been under scrutiny for more than a year.

“At the end of the day, I want what is good for the sport,” said Arrifin.

“I want MPA to remain the national body for pickleball. That will not be an issue as long as they follow their constitution.”

Arrifin signed the suspension on Feb 27.

MPA’s new president Delima Ibrahim, however, told Twentytwo13 on March 4 that MPA disputes the suspension, citing compliance with Sports Commissioner’s Office directives.