Speedy Tigers in race to raise fitness level ahead of Asia Cup in India
Although the Speedy Tigers are ranked No. 2 in Asia behind hosts India, the team are in a race to get themselves physically up to par before competing in Bihar from Aug 29-Sep 7.
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Free Malaysia Today
15 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
The new rule of Malaysian sport: fix your constitutions
The uncomfortable question of mediation clauses in their constitutions now hangs over national and state sports bodies after a High Court ruling exposed how fragile their governance can be. PETALING JAYA : How many Malaysian sports associations even have mediation clauses in their constitutions? That uncomfortable question now hangs over national and state sports bodies after a High Court ruling exposed how fragile their governance can be. Balbeer Singh Jessy says 'Mediation is not weakness — it is governance.' Without clear internal mechanisms, any rash decision — from suspensions to meetings — risks being struck down in court. It was in this context that Sports Law Association of Malaysia (SLAM) president Balbeer Singh Jessy issued a stark warning. Responding to the landmark judgment, he said the ruling should serve as a wake-up call for every association to revisit its constitution before the next crisis erupts. The blunt truth 'Clubs and associations must follow their constitutions and by-laws, and any meeting or decision that bypasses procedures can be struck down,' Balbeer said. The High Court, reported by FMT last week, made that point loud and clear. It voided an extraordinary general meeting called without authority, overturned a membership revocation done without due process, and ordered the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) to mediate a dispute it had wrongly refused to touch. The case involved Taekwondo Malaysia, Taekwondo Selangor, Galaxy Taekwondo Club and OCM, with the court ruling in favour of the state body. For Balbeer, the deeper issue is not just one case but a widespread governance gap. 'The question we must ask now is how many clubs and associations actually have such internal mechanisms or mediation clauses to settle matters amicably when issues arise,' he added. Why mediation must come first SLAM has long championed mediation and alternative dispute resolution. Balbeer said the ruling reinforced this approach. 'Sports associations must solve issues internally and through alternative dispute resolution first, instead of rushing to the courts,' he stressed. Mediation, he pointed out, is cheaper, faster, private, and less destructive than court battles. It also protects athletes and administrators from drawn-out feuds that harm the sport itself. As a certified sports arbitrator with the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), Balbeer has seen first-hand how mediation works. 'It is in the best interest of those who have not adopted these mechanisms to do so now,' he said. A credibility test for OCM The judgment also placed OCM under scrutiny. The court held that OCM wrongly refused to mediate even though its own constitution empowered it to step in. It has now been ordered to do so, with an independent mediator from the AIAC. For Balbeer, the lesson is obvious: umbrella bodies can no longer claim their hands are tied. If the constitution gives them power to intervene, they must act or risk being dragged into court themselves. What sports bodies must do now Every national and state association should now audit its constitution: Are dispute resolution clauses clear? Do they require mediation before litigation? Are appeal and disciplinary processes watertight? If the answer is no, the association is exposed. Any decision made outside proper procedure can be voided, and leaders risk reputational damage alongside legal defeat. SLAM, founded in 2016 with former OCM president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar as patron, is already working with the sports commissioner's office, the ministry of youth and sports, and international arbitration bodies to institutionalise mediation. Many of its members are certified arbitrators on the AIAC panel, ready to act as neutral mediators. The association is also stepping up education programmes to help administrators understand that mediation is not a sign of weakness. 'It is discipline. It is governance. And it can save sports bodies from tearing themselves apart,' said Balbeer. The bottom line The High Court has set a new line in the sand. Constitutions are not symbolic documents — they are binding. Any breach will be punished. Balbeer's warning should not be ignored. For sports associations, the path forward is clear: fix your constitutions, embed mediation, and resolve disputes in-house. The alternative is chaos, courtroom defeats, and a loss of credibility that Malaysian sport can ill afford.
The Star
19 hours ago
- The Star
Speedy Tigers in race to raise fitness level ahead of Asia Cup in India
PETALING JAYA: The national hockey team will need to get their fitness levels up to match the region's best before they start their Asia Cup campaign in India next week. Although the Speedy Tigers are ranked No. 2 in Asia behind hosts India, the team are in a race to get themselves physically up to par before competing in Bihar from Aug 29-Sep 7.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Speedy Tigers fitness at 80 percent for Asia Cup 2025
THE national hockey squad's fitness level stands at 80 percent ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup in Bihar, India. Head coach Sarjit Singh confirmed the team's condition during a squad announcement press conference. He stated that fitness improvements followed almost seven weeks of intensive training at the National Sports Institute. Sarjit Singh explained, 'I mean fitness we have done with the NSI routine.' He added, 'The chamber run (drill for explosive bursts) was good for about six to seven weeks.' The coach acknowledged, 'So we are prepared.' He noted, 'But other teams also are well prepared too.' Sarjit Singh observed, 'As we know South Korea, China and Japan have fitness levels that are really different.' He expressed confidence by stating, 'But we are getting there.' The coach revealed, '(This is) Because after the Nations Cup (in June), we had a few injuries.' He explained, 'So we need to recover from that as well.' Sarjit Singh concluded, 'Hence, we are moving slowly in the right direction.' Malaysia finds itself in Group B alongside South Korea, Bangladesh and Taiwan. The national squad will depart for India this Friday according to the coach. They will play two friendly matches against the host country and China. These matches will serve as preparation before their tournament campaign begins. The Speedy Tigers finished as runners-up in the 2022 edition of the tournament. They aim to secure a slot for the 2026 World Cup through this competition. This requires emerging as champions of the 2025 Asian Cup according to qualification rules. Sarjit Singh highlighted additional tournament significance beyond the title hunt. He emphasized the event as a platform to maintain Malaysia's Asian ranking position. The coach specifically mentioned maintaining number two status in FIH rankings. The Asia Cup runs from August 29 to September 7 in Bihar, India. - Bernama
