Following the recent windsurfing championship controversy in Langkawi, Israeli-based newspaper, The Jerusalem Post, has this time reported similar delays for the country’s table tennis team.
The Israeli squad has reportedly been working with its Malaysian counterpart on the issuance of visas to allow their team passage to Kuala Lumpur in time for the World Table Tennis Championships, with no resolution in sight.
Malaysia is hosting the World Team Table Tennis Championships at Malawati Stadium, Shah Alam, beginning February 28 to March 6.
According to the International Table Tennis Federation website, Malaysia made history in 2000 when it became the first South-East Asian nation to host this championship and the smallest country in the modern era of table tennis to host a world championship in the sport.
This will be our second time playing host to the global tournament.
In August 2015, the international body awarded Malaysia the right to host this world championship. The event launch was officiated by International Trade and Industry Minister II, Ong Ka Chuan, who said, “This is indeed a significant and historical event for the national sports arena in general and particularly in table tennis.
“The decision for Perfect 2016 World Table Tennis Championships to be held in Malaysia was a momentous one, owing to the fact that next year will be 16 years since the event last took place in Malaysia.”
The sporting world again took notice of Malaysia when, in December 2015, the Israeli windsurfing team pulled-out from the Youth Sailing World Championships, held in Langkawi from December 27 to January 3.
Malaysia reportedly delayed visa issuance and imposed special conditions on the Israeli windsurfing team which barred them from displaying the Israel flag on gear and attire. The Israeli national anthem would also not be played if the team won a gold medal.
The Israeli pull-out meant that then-reigning Israeli world champions, Yoav Omer and Noy Drihan, were denied the opportunity to defend their titles at the Youth Sailing World Championships.
When asked to comment, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the visa issuance was in line with Malaysia’s existing diplomatic stand on Israel.
On December 27, World Sailing President, Carlo Croce, issued a statement: “As with all diplomatic issues this is quite a delicate matter. A member of the World Sailing Executive is en route to Malaysia to investigate this issue and is seeking clarification from the Malaysian organising authority.
“World Sailing expects the organising authority of its events to allow sailors from all nations to compete on an equal basis. This expectation is made clear in the bid process and is set out in the contractual documentation governing our events.”
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