KUALA LUMPUR – Dirty tricks take centre stage in the Perak Hockey Association (PHA), resulting in the association’s president, Datuk Sayuti Samat, openly condemning several district members and calling them “black sheep” for orchestrating deceptive manoeuvres to topple his position.
Sayuti’s response came following allegations of several unauthorised committee meetings held without the knowledge of its district members.
Previously, Scoop reported that PHA vice president Khairul Aufa Mohamed Yusof revealed that seven out of 11 district members have expressed their frustration and are calling for the association’s annual general meeting to be reconvened in response to the alleged illegitimate meeting.
The seven district members comprise Kinta Hockey Association, Hilir Perak Hockey Association, Bagan Datuk Hockey Association, Hulu Perak Hockey Association, Kampar Hockey Association, Manjung Hockey Association, and Mualim Hockey Association.
Speaking to Scoop, Sayuti denied the allegations and stressed that under his leadership, he has never abandoned any of its district members in its committee meetings.
“There are many black sheep in PHA, and they are playing dirty politics under the influence of an individual – the vice president. There is no such thing as never inviting district members to the committee meetings, and I have all the evidence to prove it.
“The vice president, Khairul, is purposely bringing up this issue because when I took over the president post in 2020, he was not on my list. Whenever we email them the invites, these so-called seven district members have purposely chosen not to attend – and from the beginning, they have always been against me.
“I just can’t keep waiting for all these seven members to attend the committee meeting, and then only fix the direction of the association. How can I do something like that? It’s not fair to those who attended the meetings. If they don’t want to attend, it’s up to them.
“It’s evident that they are plotting to take me down from my position. I have been really honest and transparent in all the work that I have been doing over the years.
“This is the reality of Malaysian sports; when someone hates you, they will go to any extent to bury you,” said Sayuti.
Despite being aware of those who are plotting to dethrone him, Sayuti has made it clear that he will not step down until the next annual general meeting which is scheduled to take place after the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
“I believe that I have been doing a good job since becoming president, as none of my predecessors has won three consecutive Tun Abdul Razak Cups for Perak before.
“I have also managed to win the bid with the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) to ensure that this year’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup will be held in Perak. Only I know how much effort I’m putting in to elevate the standards of hockey in Perak.
“It’s simple…I’m not going to take any action against these troublemakers. I’m a sportsman, and I will fight till the end and not give up. They are trying their level best to make me step down, and they can keep trying, but I will not step down.
“Let the next annual general meeting decide my fate. I will only step down if I lose.
“I even know some of them have also been trying to brainwash MHC to get involved in kicking me out from my post, but I know that MHC will always support me as they know what kind of initiatives I have done to elevate the standard of the game.
“I was also aware that they have sent a complaint letter about me to the Sports Commissioner’s Office, but there’s nothing to worry about.
“I will know how to explain to Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias when I’m summoned to meet him,” Sayuti added.
PHA was given three weeks from the Sports Commissioner’s Office to resolve its internal disputes to avoid the possibility of being deregistered.
Under the leadership of President Sayuti, PHA clinched the Tun Abdul Razak Cup thrice consecutively in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Additionally, Ipoh has been selected as the host city for the upcoming national hockey team’s participation in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, scheduled for May 4 to 11. – March 2, 2024