Outgoing Malaysian Canoe Association (Masca) president Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin has hit back at his critics for blaming him entirely for Malaysia’s failure to win medals at the recent Philippines Sea Games.
Shahriman said it was not fair to hold him solely responsibility as he had been undermined in the selection process for athletes.
A split within Masca had occurred in the run-up to last year’s Sea Games, resulting in an opposing group, which included deputy president Datuk Michael Wong, sending a separate registration list of athletes for the Sea Games.
The latter was approved by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) over the list endorsed by Shahriman.
“As the president of Masca, I accept the fact that we failed (at Sea Games) but to blame me solely is not fair as I was not involved in the selection of athletes,” said Shahriman yesterday.
“There were a number of individuals who went behind my back in deciding the list and they are the same individuals who raised a vote of no confidence against me.
“The athletes we sent had been based on the list nominated by a number of exco members which included the deputy president.
“I have strong reasons for why I did not go with their choice. In the dragon boat event for example, we had a team with a strong track record and had finished ninth from 40 teams at the World Cup previously and had won a number of other (international) events but they were not chosen.
“It is strange that they decided to send an inexperienced team with no track record to represent us at the Sea Games.
“I had written to the OCM a number of times but in the end they chose to go with the list issued by the deputy president.
“I am sad and disappointed that OCM and the Sea Games athletes selection panel were unaware (of situation) and caved in to the demands of a number of officials within Masca.
“I realise that there is a clash of opinions within Masca and it is okay (to have different opinions) but we should not tarnish the association’s image. There should not be any elements of sabotage.”
Shahriman also rubbished the claims by critics that he had used Masca’s bank accounts “as if they were his own”.
“About five per cent of the money in Masca’s accounts is from the National Sports Council, the rest of it is money that I had put into the association out of my own pocket to allow us to run our programmes,” stressed Shahriman.
“Why would I want to steal my own money? What kind of sense does that make?
“The accounts are being audited and I will be glad to share the results when they are completed.”
Shahriman stressed that he will make good on his promise to resign as Masca president but only when there is a suitable replacement capable of leading the association.
“I will not make a U-turn on my promise to let go of the president’s post but I need a little more time to solve a number of administrative issues,” added Shahriman.
“I must make sure that the transfer of power goes smoothly and that the individual who replaces me is capable of doing a good job. In the end the affiliates will decide.”
Businessman Shahriman, who donated RM500,000 to the National Athletes Welfare Foundation in 2018, is also the Malaysian Paralympic Council president as well as the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association president.