THOUGH he was nominated as a candidate yesterday for the top post, Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (STAM) president Datuk Ahmad Ismail declined to confirm whether he would seek reelection.
Also listed in yesterday’s nominations were Malacca president Akramuddin Abd Aziz and Terengganu president Mohd Shapian Ali, the main challenger to Ahmad’s camp at their Annual General Meeting (AGM)-cum elections in Johor Baru on Sept 13.
Akramuddin has also been nominated for the deputy president post together with Penang vice president Abdul Jalil Ariffin and Datuk Markiman Kobiran (Selangor).
Ahmad, who visited the national team training camp in Mersing yesterday, said he is more concerned with the national squad’s preparation for the Incheon Asian Games later this month.
The president had given his green light last week to Akramuddin to take over the reins if he decides not to compete.
“I am still waiting to see how things play out. At the moment my focus is on helping the team prepare for Incheon,” said Ahmad, who has been STAM president since 2002.
“I can still withdraw on the day of the AGM itself and so too can Akramuddin, so there is ample time for me to decide.”
If Ahmad does defend, Akramuddin will withdraw his challenge for the president’s post, and will run for the number two spot instead.
The fight for the three vice presidents’ posts will be between Datuk Awang Sham Amit (Sabah), Datuk Mohd Yusof Ismail (Kedah), Datuk Khairuddin Saad (Putrajaya) and Fudin Chee Kifli (Sarawak).
Meanwhile former STAM secretary general Mohd Azmi Shaari passed away in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. He was 82.
Ahmad said Azmi’s demise was a great loss to the sport in the country. “Mohd Azmi’s contributions to the sport are huge. He was one of the founders of STAM in 1960.” said Ahmad.
“He was not only instrumental in developing the sport in Malaysia but had also played a big part in popularising it in the region.” By Fadhli Ishak