Why does FTAA remain unaffiliated after 14 months?

The Federal Territories Athletics Association (FTAA) remains uncertain over Malaysia Athletics' (MA) proposed changes to the representation of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan within the national body. In a recent letter, FTAA president V Pulainthiran questioned the necessity of the new structure, stating that the sports commissioner's office approved MA's constitution last year, ending the affiliation dispute.

MA aims to alter the wording from "consist of" to "combine," but FTAA argues this change is unclear and unnecessary. Pulainthiran emphasized that the word "combine" could imply either a national affiliation platform or a merger, while Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan already have their own athletics associations and responsibilities for local athlete development.

FTAA contends that the associations can share a national platform while maintaining their separate administration and development programs. The dispute began in March 2024 when FTAA lost its affiliate status after MA revised its membership provisions. The three federal territories subsequently sought a unified representation structure.

On June 13, 2025, the sports commissioner's office invited MA's athletics associations to discuss the issue, leading to a technical committee approving the amended constitution on July 1. However, the affiliation dispute remains unresolved. FTAA insists that the 2025 constitution is inadequate and seeks MA to explain the meaning of "combine," the practical implications of a different structure, and the need for formal consultation with Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan before any changes occur.

The FTAA argues that the uncertainty could impact athletes, coaches and officials' access to sanctioned competitions, selection pathways, recognition of performances and high-performance support. The recent Sukma Games, where federal territory athletes won 10 medals, demonstrate the value of strong local development alongside clear national representation.