Makaf president Ali picked for Sports Leadership Award

PETALING JAYA: It’s hard to find a visionary sports leader.

But Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam is an exception. He has done justice as the president of the Malaysian Karate Federation (Makaf) for 13 years.

And aptly, he has been chosen as the recipient of the Sports Leadership Award by the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) and partner 100Plus and will be recognised at their ceremony on Thursday.

Ali may have ended his service with the association last year, but his love for the sport remains evident as he now serves as the patron.

SAM vice-president Hazreen Mubarak said Ali, who had also led the Malaysian National Silat Federation (Pesaka), was selected because the martial arts sports reached new heights under his leadership.

“The involvement of Ali in the sports arena is undeniable. His successful leadership has propelled Makaf and Pesaka to greater international recognition,” he said.

During his leadership, the national karate squad achieved numerous successes, often referred to as a ‘gold mine’ in several sporting events such as the SEA Games and Asian Games. Malaysia’s best achievement during this period was winning silver and bronze medals at the 2014 World Championships in Germany.

In Pesaka, the association also benefited from Ali’s leadership as he spent 20 years there until 2020.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Confederation (MTBC) have been named as the recipient of the Dynamic Sports Association Award.

MTBC have consistently achieved outstanding international success, undoubtedly due to the strategic management and meticulous planning by the association.

“MTBC have never failed to meet expectations and is among the main contributors in the SEA Games and Asian Games.

“Besides the Asian and World Championships, we even dominate the European Professional League,” said Hazreen, who is also the chairman of the SAM 100Plus awards this year.

The award ceremony, which will be held at the Seri Pacific Hotel will also honour sportswriters by offering awards totaling RM50,000. The best overall winner in the sportswriters category will be crowned with the Siebel Award which comes with a trophy and RM7,000 cash.