SEGAMBUT – “We will continue to train on the roads to prepare for Sukma as a form of protest.”
This was the defiant response from Thennavan Ponniyah, owner of the Hayashi Ha Karate Federation, after the partial demolition of his karate centre in Taman Sri Sinar, Segambut.
The centre, established by the Rukun Tetangga and claimed to be in operation for over three decades, has recently become a focal point in the sports community.
In a video that went viral a few days ago, a large crowd was seen trying to prevent the demolition, which was carried out by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Federal Territories Land and Mines Office.
The video shows the crowd appealing to Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh to intervene, while several young karate exponents preparing for this year’s Sukma questioned where they would now train for the multi-sport event.
The FT Land Office had given the operator a 30-day grace period to remove their belongings from the premises. Various gym equipment and treadmills were seen inside the building at the end of the video.
Thennavan, a former national exponent with three SEA Games gold medals and seven national championships to his name, vowed that regardless of the centre’s fate, his athletes will continue training for this year’s Sukma.
He highlighted that his athletes come from diverse backgrounds, with about 150 out of 200 students belonging to the Malay and B40 communities.
“Since DBKL and the FT Land Office have partially demolished our centre, most of our equipment has been severely damaged. I spent RM300,000 of my own money on gym equipment.
“Even our electricity has been cut off, and our athletes have no proper place to train for Sukma. We don’t know where to place our dojo mats for training and sparring.
“It’s not fair for them to just give us notice and ask us to evacuate after partially demolishing our building. Where are our athletes supposed to train now? At least give us an alternative venue, and I will cover all the costs.
“If the minister doesn’t intervene and allows this to happen, it’s simple… just compensate us for producing some of the top talents for the National Sports Council over the past 30 years.
“Without our efforts, none of these athletes would have brought glory to the country,” said Thennavan at a press conference today.
Among the athletes who have emerged from the Hayashi Ha Karate Federation are Thiagu Ponniyah (Asian Junior Karate Championships gold medallist), Datuk Arivalagan Ponniyah (Asian Senior Karate Championships gold medallist), R. Puvaneswaran (two-time Asian Games gold medallist), Yamini Gopalasamy, Vasantha Marial Anthony and Vathana Gopalasamy (Asian Senior Karate Championship gold medallist).
In a statement yesterday, the FT Land Office said it postponed the demolition after unidentified parties created a human shield using women and children to obstruct their machines, creating a dangerous environment for the operation.
The land office stated that the structure was built without valid permission and that the trespassers – a gymnasium operator and martial arts practitioner – were issued notices to vacate the site on July 4.
It added that the trespassers requested time to remove their gym equipment and signed an undertaking to vacate the site and cease all activities there for 30 days.
The office warned that trespassing on government land designated as open space is an offence under Section 425(1) of the National Land Code, which involves occupying government land without valid permission.
Offenders may face a maximum fine of RM500,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. – August 9, 2024