Latheef has no legal precedence to run VAM

This month began with the infighting of a major sports association. After disagreements passed the boiling point, the committee of the Volleyball Association of Maldives (VAM) is now close to an end result.

This VMA drama began after the central zone qualifiers of a FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship. The troubles brewing inside the VAM committee was felt by the volley family. And the drama is now close to an end.

The conflict inside VAM::

Initial problem within the committee was of the letter of resignation allegedly sent by committee member Ali Iyaz according to the President, Mohamed Latheef. Iyaz expressed his concern and has stated that it was not his letter. Yet the President of the Committee accepted the resignation.

Following the incident, a close person of Iyaz, Mohamed Nasheed (Colonel) was dismissed from his duties at the disciplinary committee deeming him incompetent. The letter of dismissal was signed by the President of VAM, Latheef.

Losing the Presidency of VAM:

As the turmoil within VAM was spreading in the media, the next big headline was that Latheef lost his position as the President of VMA after he lost the membership at Youth Sports Club. The Club has now informed the dismissal to the VMA and the Home Ministry.

VAM regulations clearly state how a committee member would lose their membership. Part 5 of Article 23-B of the regulation states that a committee member would lose their membership if he is dismissed or resigns from their club.

In the VAM elections four months ago, Latheef did not run as an independent candidate. He was representing Youth Sports Club.

Regarding his dismissal, Latheef said that he is not representing Youth Sports Club alone, but he is also representing other clubs as well. Be that as it may, a candidate can only represent one club at the VAM election.

A legal standpoint:

Legally, Latheef can be named as a representative of several clubs and it is not an issue. However, the problem is that he was dismissed from the club he was representing when he won the election. The club name is being denoted at the election. The votes are from the supporters of the club as well.

Sun Sports have looked into if Latheef can remain as the President of VAM.

According to lawyer Moosa Siraj, there is no question that Latheef has lost his position as the President of VAM and his chair at the Committee based on the VAM regulations.

Without a President:

In such an event, the responsibility of the President, as the situation stands, falls on Izzath Waheed. But with Latheef still holding on to his position, Izzath has been unable to step up.

VAM regulation states that if a chair of the governing committee is vacated, the seat must be filled within one month. Hence, an election is afoot for the VAM presidency.

But with Latheef still maintaining that he is still the President, the final ruling falls on the Home Ministry. The decision from the Ministry would be based on the VAM regulations.