KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran singles shuttler Ong Ewe Hock gave the Badminton Association of Malaysia's disciplinary board the snub yesterday. And his action may spell an end to his international playing career.
The 30-year-old Ewe Hock was to have faced the disciplinary board, headed by Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan, at the Federal Hotel here to explain why he had hit out at the BAM's secretary, Zolkples Embong, who had in news report in November asked the player to quit and turn to coaching.
Instead of showing up to justify his outburst in the media, he handed a letter to the BAM's office in Bukit Kira two hours before the board meeting, asking for a two-week postponement to the hearing.
And to make matters worse, Ewe Hock stated in the letter that he was not showing up because he did not know what were the allegations against him and he also wanted to first cross examine Zolkples and the BAM president, Datuk Nadzmi Mohd Salleh.
In the absence of the former world number three, the board still came to a decision on the action to be taken against Ewe Hock based on his written reply to a show cause letter from the BAM. But the board chose not to reveal the decision, saying that it would be handed to the BAM Council for endorsement.
The Council are expected to meet at the end of the month.
But from the turn of events yesterday, a stiff punishment is expected to be meted out on Ewe Hock.
“By not showing up for the hearing, Ewe Hock showed disrespect to the board,” said Jeffrey, who is also the president of the Sabah Badminton Association.
“If he could go all the way to the BAM office to hand in a letter, why not come to the board to give his explanation.
“The committee read his letter and found that his reasons for asking for a postponement (of the hearing) were not acceptable. We have given him ample time to get ready for this hearing but he wanted two weeks more.
“His claims on not knowing the allegations made against him and wanting to cross examine the BAM president and secretary were also not acceptable.”
Jeffery preferred to remain tight-lipped on the action they decided to take against Ewe Hock.
“Our decision was unanimous and we will forward our recommendation to the BAM Council. We cannot reveal it now. It is for the BAM Council to make the announcement,” he said.
The others who sat at the board meeting yesterday were Bartholomew Kong (Sabah BA secretary), Toh Puan Aishah Ong (BAM council member), Datuk Razak Dawood (BAM sponsors' representative), V. Mahalinggam (Selangor BA secretary), James Selvaraj (former international) and T. Kuhan (lawyer).
Among the actions the BAM could take against Ewe Hock are short or long-term suspensions, tournament suspension, withdrawal of financial benefits and dropping him from the national squad.
When contacted later, Ewe Hock, who is at the twilight of his playing career, chose not to comment on the matter.
