KUALA LUMPUR: January 2026 will be a busy period for Sports Commissioner Arrifin Ghani (image).
He is set to meet Malaysia Athletics president Datuk Karim Ibrahim to determine the legitimacy of his position, while his office must also ensure that the election of office bearers at the Malaysia Pickleball Association’s (MPA) annual general meeting (AGM) on Jan 13 complies with remedial measures previously agreed.
These measures followed a meeting between MPA officials and Deputy Sports Commissioner Mohsinar Abdul Malek on Oct 9, 2025.
Questions have been raised over Karim’s eligibility to hold office at either national or state level, following his removal from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Council in 2018.
In a statement issued that year, the IAAF said Karim was deemed “not eligible – within the meaning of the IAAF Constitution and IAAF Vetting Rules – to hold office as a Council Member”. The decision was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2019.
However, it is understood that the wording of the suspension letter issued by the IAAF, now known as World Athletics, does not explicitly state whether Karim is barred from holding positions at national or state level.
Arrifin confirmed that he had written to Malaysia Athletics and to Karim, and that they would “meet soon” to clarify the matter.
Before that, however, he must ensure that the MPA AGM proceeds according to plan.
The association courted controversy after its elected president Farell Choo initially resigned in 2023, before being persuaded to withdraw his resignation.
Farell resigned again mid-year and recommended that MPA treasurer Delima Ibrahim succeed him from July 1, 2025, despite the association’s constitution stipulating that the deputy president – in this case Harmeet Singh – should assume the role.
The decision prompted Harmeet to write to the Sports Commissioner’s Office seeking a resolution.
Meanwhile, a war of words erupted on social media between Delima and an individual identified as James Kwan, drawing attention from the pickleball community.
This led Arrifin to convene another meeting with MPA last month to ensure governance matters were in order, including correspondence on the eligibility of associations entitled to voting rights at the AGM.
Further issues arose after Johor Pickleball Association permanent chairman S. Rajasegram wrote to the Sports Commissioner’s Office, claiming that only invited members were allowed to attend and vote at the AGM.
“This is against the MPA constitution,” Rajasegram said.
“I do not know how the Sports Commissioner’s Office could allow this to happen. As of today, we have not been invited to attend the AGM.”
Arrifin said he would look into the matter.
Main image: Sports Commisioner’s Office Malaysia
