Golf - Pro players break away to set up new association

New era dawns

By JOE CARLOS

From : StarGolf

PROFESSIONAL golf in Malaysia is moving into a new era. A majority of playing professionals, concerned with their livelihood in the wake of recent events, have decided to take their destiny into their own hands by forming a company to ensure their welfare is taken care of.

Leading professional Rashid Ismail, recently expelled from the Malaysian Professional Golfers’ Association, said the new company – Tournament Players Association of Malaysia Berhad – gives players hope for a new future and plenty to look forward to.

Airil, joined the new association.

“We have gone through a horrendous eight-month period. We have been bullied, fined, suspended and expelled for taking part in the Selangor Masters or simpler things like attending and voting in our own EGMs. Playing tournaments is our bread and butter. The MPGA has failed us and we’ve no choice but to ensure our destiny is in our hands.”

Rashid said that the last straw was when MPGA president Datuk Ithnin Yacob and his council on two occasions openly defied the Commissioner of Sports and were not taken to task.

“We are seeing double standards being practiced. But on a more serious note, if Ithnin and his council can get away with this sort of defiance, then a dangerous precedence is being set,” warned Rashid.

“The TPAM is not a sports association nor are we here to compete with the MPGA. We are an entity to look after the welfare of our members. It will be structured in such a way that members will have a share of the company even though we are set up as a non-profit organisation.”

The TPAM will be formulated like the Asian Tour, which is run by the players. A Tour Policy Board will be nominated by the company’s Board of Directors and will be responsible for the management of the company, its activities and mapping out the right direction.

Its biggest priority now is to win recognition in the industry and attract corporate, state bodies and their subsidiaries to sponsor tournaments and eventually a well-oiled national tour.

“We have gained considerable success in such a short period. A new event, the RM150,000 PJ Masters has been confirmed for June 12-16 while there have been pledges for four more tournaments totaling another RM600,000 over the next few months. Sponsors of these events have indicated they will work with the TPAM on the eligibility of players.”

Rashid added: “As these events are aligned with the TPAM, we have a big say as to who can participate. Non TPAM members may have to go through qualifying rounds, get special exemptions by the board or obtain temporary membership.”

Although tournaments are their main bread and butter, the TPAM will have other responsibilities including formulating a programme whereby members will be trained to become instructors when they retire from playing. A players’ welfare fund will also be set up.

A pro-tem committee was formed last month to look into the formation of this new company. Among those who have signed up to join the TPAM are Airil Rizman who is among the Top 20 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and veteran Nazamuddin Yusof.

Sasidaran

It is learnt that following the April 2 Annual General Meeting of the MPGA when a number of suspended players were barred, a Board of Inquiry was set up by the Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman. Among those who were interviewed were expelled or suspended players in Wong Hong Nung, Rashid, Sasidaran, L.P. Selvam, Peter Johnson, Nazamuddin and Azmi Rashid. Also called to the board were former MPGA general manager Zailani Rahmat and employees of the association. Ithnin and his current council members were also interviewed.

Meanwhile, Rashid expressed concern that some suspended players have received invitations to take part in an MPGA event in Sri Menanti GC, Kuala Pilah which is scheduled for May 25-27.

“The MPGA suspended and fined 48 players for taking part in the Selangor Masters and for alleged breach of discipline. This prevented us from taking part in the AGM. For the record most of us did not respond to the MPGA. Now that the AGM is over, all of a sudden some of the players are getting invitations for Sri Menanti even though the suspension or fines have not been lifted.

“I expect that none of the expelled or suspended players will be playing in the MPGA events.” Rashid went on to say that pending the outcome of the ongoing enquiry, more than 50 of the top players in this country have signed a warrant to act to authorize their lawyers to proceed with legal recourse.

“Despite Ithnin and the council’s defying actions, we are still hoping for the Commissioner to take action and call for a proper AGM. But the legal papers have been prepared. I hope it does not come to this stage,” he added.