Photo from MDF Facebook
What are the similarities between dodgeball and kabaddi in Malaysia? They have absolutely nothing in common as far as how both games are played.
But they do have something in common with two separate governing bodies both locally and internationally.
The two national bodies for dodgeball are the Malaysian Association of Dodgeball (MAD) and the Malaysian Dodgeball Federation (MDF)
MAD compete under the World Dodgeball Federation (WDBF) while MDF are under the World Dodgeball Association (WDA). Both use different rules and balls with WDBF utilising foam balls while WDA use fabric balls.
As for kabaddi, there is the Kabaddi Association of Malaysia (KAM), who are affiliated with the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) and the Malaysia Kabaddi Federation (MKF) under the auspices of World Kabaddi.
Both the dodgeball associations as well as the kabaddi organisations are registered under the Sports Development Act and have the right to conduct their own activities for their own membership.
Neither sports is recognised by the International Olympic Council (IOC) and their rival international bodies have no legitimate claim to be considered as the sole international governing body.
Last year the MAD decided to ban players who play for MDF’s national team or in their competitions. This prompted several senior national players to quit MAD. While the MAD was not tolerant of players being associated with the MDF, on their part had no objections to the same.
This is eerily similar in kabaddi with the KAM wielding the ban threat while the MKF having no objections with players playing under either banner.
When the MKF hosted the World Cup Kabaddi in Melaka earlier this year, the KAM even went to the extend of lodging numerous protests with the Sports Ministry, the Sports Commissioners Office, Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), the National Sports Council and the Melaka State Government to derail the tournament.
For the record the national teams under the MKF banner were placed third in the women’s competition and fourth in the men’s competition at the World Cup.
Being a member of the OCM does not give any of the rival associations any special status under the Sports Development Act. But as member of the OCM, the relevant organisation has the added benefit of sending their players for multi-sports events only.
Whether it is MAD, MDF, KAM or the KAM, each of them derive their authority from their respective governing body and have the salient right to conduct the sport for their members in accordance to their international rules.
Rival organisations do not have any right to stop the other organisation’s activities.
Players from one association also being part of the other association is a basic right of the players. After all the constitution allows for freedom of association, especially when these organisations are legally registered to conduct their own activities
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