Photo from AJTA Facebook
It is the athlete that normally suffers when there is a dispute with the sports leadership.
But, when Japanese taekwondo exponents disputed the development policies of the All Japan Taekwondo Association (AJTA), the AJTA office bearers have taken the honourable path to resolve the issues.
Japanese media reports that the entire AJTA board of directors have tendered their resignation amid an ongoing dispute with their athletes.
Top Japanese exponents had boycotted a training camp scheduled for September as they were unhappy with the direction taken by the AJTA in developing the sport.
At an extraordinary board meeting chaired by the AJTA president Noboru Kanehara (pic) , it was decided that an independent panel be appointed to look into the restructure of the AJTA.
The decision is seen inline with the five tenets of taekwondo – courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.
The drastic decision comes with just nine month before Japan hosts the Tokyo Olympics.
While Japan are not a major power in the sport, they would be hoping to do better this time as hosts.
Yoriko Okamoto is the only Japanese athlete to ever win a medal at the Olympics. She won a bronze in the women’s middleweight category when taekwondo made its debut at the Sydney Games in 2000.
Meanwhile, in Malaysia the situation with elected office bearers are in directed contrast.
The Malaysia Paralympic Council (MPM) elections is still in a limbo with some still jostling to install themselves to power.
There are two sets of executive committee in the Malaysian Karate Federation (MAKAF).
Malaysia Wheelchair Rugby Federation, Malaysia Ice Hockey federation, and the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association are just some of the national bodies plagued by domestic crises. The situation at state and district level associations is no different.
There is no need to commit seppuku, but at least follow the lead of the AJTA board for the betterment of the sport.
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