M Rajamani, who won a gold medal in the 1966 Asian Games, said coaches, administrators and members of sports bodies would be less inclined to speak out when there are politicians at the top.
Rajamani said some athletes would undermine the authority of their coaches, and choose to go directly to the “VIP”.
“Some boycott their coaches because they know they have the support of the politicians,” Rajamani, Malaysia’s first female Olympian dubbed the “Queen of Tracks”, told FMT in a recent interview.
She said a sports body should be helmed by someone “not involved in politics or the government”.
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman recently urged elected representatives to turn down offers to lead sports associations in the country, saying it was to prevent political interference in sports.
Rajamani supported the call, and said sports associations should be led by those who can help guide and ensure sufficient financing of athletes.
She said leaders of sports associations did not necessarily have to come from the sporting background.
“In the past, many sports administrators did not come from sporting backgrounds, but had the interest, passion, and commitment.
“What’s the point of having a politician lead an association if they cannot be there for the athletes due to political commitments and duties?” she asked.
Another track legend has a different view.
Dr M Jegathesan said anyone who had the knowledge, experience and was committed, should be allowed to be part of sporting associations.
“We shouldn’t bar anyone from joining or heading a sports association just because they are politicians. What is important is their motivation to be part of a sports association,” said Jegathesan, who won three gold medals in the 1966 Asian Games.
But Jegathesan, once regarded as Asia’s fastest man, said politicians must ultimately tow the party line.
“If the prime minister tells those in his party that they cannot be part of sports associations as he wants them to focus on serving the people, then they have to abide by the directive.”
Bersih 2.0 chairman Thomas Fann agreed with Syed Saddiq, saying people did not elect politicians to head sports associations but to serve their constituencies.
He said it was important that only those with the relevant experience be put in charge of the task of improving the country’s sporting scene.
Fann said he did not see any reason why sports associations want politicians to lead them, other than a perception that they have easier access to funds.
“This is called political patronage and it is an abuse of power,” he added.
He said the same rule would apply to government-linked companies, statutory bodies and universities.
“Such patronage and political appointments which are carried over from the Barisan Nasional era are denying these institutions the best talents,” said Fann.