Athletics: Suspended SAA vice-presidents reinstated after appeals board ruling

SINGAPORE Athletic Association's (SAA) suspended vice-presidents Loh Chan Pew and Steven Lee have been reinstated to their respective positions within the national athletics body on Tuesday, following the decision of an appeals committee.

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Here is a statement from the SAA:

The Appeals Panel was appointed by the Singapore Athletic Association ('SAA') on 7 March 2014 to hear and decide on the appeals of Mr Loh Chan Pew and Mr Steven Lee against the decision of SAA's Management Committee to suspend them from their respective elected and co-opted positions in SAA with effect from Feb 18 - June 30, 2014.

The hearing was set on April 24, at the Boardroom of the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club at 0930 hours.

Having heard Mr Loh Chan Pew and Mr Steven Lee, representing themselves, and Mr Tang Weng Fei, representing the SAA Management Committee, the Appeals Panel makes the following decisions: 

1. The SAA Management Committee's action to suspend Mr Loh Chan Pew and Mr Steven Lee was not robust enough in accordance with due process for the purposes of the Management Committee's powers to suspend persons under Rule 13 b) of the SAA Constitution.

2. As such, the Appeals Panel decide that Mr Loh Chan Pew's and Mr Steven Lee's respective appeals be allowed, and they be reinstated.

SAA President Mr Tang Weng Fei said: "On behalf of the SAA MC, I accept the decision of the Appeals Panel which will be final and binding. I like to thank Mr Low Teo Ping, Mrs Jessie Phua and Mr Cheah Kim Teck for assisting in this Appeal. The elected position of Mr Loh Chan Pew as VP Competition and the co-opted position of Mr Steven Lee as VP Training and Selection will be reinstated with immediate effect. As I've said before, there is and never was any personal issues between Mr Loh, Mr Steven Lee and myself. I look forward to their contribution to SAA."