Wanted man (The Malay Mail)

KEN SHELLITO, Selangor's director of coaching, is being sought by several
States for the inaugural Malaysian League next season.
 Shellito, 53, whose contract with Selangor runs until May, confirmed
several States have indicated interest in him but nothing has been
finalised.
 "I am interested in coaching in the M-League but first I will have to
find out if the FA of Selangor are renewing my contract as director of
coaching," said Shellito, who played several matches for England in the
60s but failed to make the 1966 World Cup team after suffering a serious
knee injury three months before the tournament.
 "Although I enjoy working on the development side, I feel I can
contribute to both the M-League and development," said Shellito.
 Shellito, however, refused to reveal the States interested in him
because there have been just "casual talks" so far.
 Shellito came to Selangor in 1992 when former Selangor manager-coach
Mazlan Harun hired him as director of coaching.
 But towards the end of the season, Mazlan was relieved of his post.
 Shellito was tipped to coach Selangor this season but German Bernd
Schumm was signed on for two seasons.
 Shellito has been active in Selangors development programme and has also
been active as adviser to youth teams in the State.
 He has been conducting coaching clinics at the districts.
 Shellito managed Chelsea from 1977-80 and later, Queen's Park Rangers
and Crystal Palace.
 He was also in charge of development for the Southern part of Coventry
and was in Singapore for a year with a private company specialising in
coaching schools.
Surprising
 It is not surprising that States are interested in Shellito because the
trend is to hire coaches familar with Malaysian soccer.
 Other foreign coaches available are Milous Kvacek (former Kedah, KL,
Singapore and Perak), Michael Urukalo (Johor), Josef Herel (Negri
Sembilan), Ken Worden (Selangor and national) and Ken Morten (Police).
 Former national coach, Chow Kwai Lam, has also has been linked with
severalStates.
 Among the States looking for coaches are Perak, Penang, Perlis, Pahang
and Kelantan.
                              (END)

Need for more professional approach (03/12/1993 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 03/12/1993
Headline : Need for more professional approach


MALAYSIAN soccer enters a new chapter with the Malaysian League making its
debut next year and, unless State FAs and its officials, players, coaches,
agents and parents exercise total professionalism, the league will be no
better than an amateur league.
The FA of Malaysia, since introducing the Semi-Pro League in 1989, have
made endless efforts to ensure that a professional approach is adopted by
all to prepare for the league to go fully professional, but it has been
five years now and there are still many problems simply because a
professional code of ethics more often than not takes a back seat.
The 1993 season has just ended and already several controversies have
surfaced.
Among the problems which have arose are States trying to get the
services of players who still have more than six months' contract left
with another State; sacking players who still have valid contracts without
concrete reasons or compensations; players with more than six months'
contract left with a State trying to secure deals with another State;
players making deals with several States at the same time; coaches
applying for jobs in States where existing coaches still have a contract,
and parents marketing their sons to other States despite having contracts
with a certain State.
These problems have surfaced every year since 1989 and, despite the
State FAs and their officials being educated on the dos and don'ts year in
and out through seminars conducted by the FAM, most seem ignorant of the
rules and guidelines. Although State FAs come out to say that they intend
to do everything above board, time and again they are at fault.
So much so that contracts signed every year between State FAs and
players hold nothing concrete except just a piece of paper.
Players themselves have to be partly blamed because many really do not
realise what they are signing or what their rights are.
Youth players especially sign long-term contracts without giving it a
second thought because they look very attractive when offered.
But a season or two later, when these players shine and other States
show interest in them, they want out.
State FAs are no better. Many a player have been made to sign blank
contract forms and do not even get a copy of their contract.
State FAs have been known to stop paying wages the moment their team
bows out of the competition, when all contracts are to end at the end of
the year season.
Unless all parties concerned exercise professionalism and adhere to all
rules of signing on and terminating players and coaches alike, it will
just be like a circus for those watching from outside.
It is really amazing and funny how rules are blatantly broken, or people
coming up with deals outside the system by using top level powers or even
arm-twisting tactics.
It should be pointed out than no one is bigger than the game itself and,
unless all measures are taken to ensure everything is done according to
the rules and fairplay is strictly observed, the game will be the loser.

Local status for foreign pros? (The Malay Mail)

PLAYERS from Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei will no longer be considered
foreign pros when they turn out for local clubs in the inaugural M-League,
if a proposal is adopted by the FA of Malaysia.
 This suggestion is one of several to be discussed when the FAM council
meet in Kuching on Friday, said general secretary Datuk Paul Mony.
 "The proposal is to allow free movement of players among the three
countries without categorising them as foreigners," said Mony.
 Singaporeans playing for Malaysian States have been considered foreign
players, using up therefore the three foreign pros quota. Players like
Fandi Ahmad, Malek Awab, K. Kannan (Kuala Lumpur), V. Sundram Moorthy
(Kedah) and Ahmad Paijan (Terengganu), among others, have played for
Malaysian teams before.
 Except for Ahmad, the others have returned to Singapore. However, Johor
signed on Hasnim Haron this season while Armed Forces had A. Devaraj and
A.R.J. Maran.
 It should be pointed out that several seasons ago, Singaporeans with
permanent resident status weren't considered foreign players. That rule
was amended to categorise them as foreigners.
 The proposal opens a new avenue for Malaysian players, especially those
who could be offered contracts by Singapore and Brunei. It was felt that
since the two countries are part of the Malaysian soccer system, the
foreign status should not be imposed on them.
 Other proposals made by the secretaries include:
 * CONSIDER shelving the FA Cup next season because of the hectic League
schedule.
 * FOREIGN players will have to miss a season when they move from one
Malaysian team to another.
 Mony said States are concerned about over-taxing the players if the FA
Cup is held simultaneously with the League.
 "Under the new format, the 16 teams will play 30 matches. That's an
average of six matches a month. As such, the FA Cup will be a burden,"
Mony pointed out.
 There is fear if the FA Cup is enforced, the States may not use their
regulars, thus depriving the competition of the glamour. It was suggested
the League be monitored next year before considering the viability of re-
introducing the FA Cup in 1995.
 Besides, there will be more time from 1995 onwards as the fasting month
will be earlier.
 The competitions committee are, however, in favour of the FA Cup. They
are expected to make alternative suggestions.
                              (END)

The ugly Singaporean (16/11/1993 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 16/11/1993
Headline : The ugly Singaporean


SINGAPORE are in the Malaysia Cup final. But their achievement would have
been laudable if only their fans had been as disciplined as the team.
I was surprised by the behaviour of the Singapore fans at the National
Stadium on Sunday night.
And this has nothing to do with me being a Malaysian.
My impression of Singapore fans had been one of high spirits and I have
never known them to be hostile towards their team's opponents.
This wasn't the case on Sunday. All right, they were not as hostile as
the fans in Kota Baru but still, it was unbecoming of Singaporeans -
particularly from a modern society - to engage in an exchange of words.
It started when Sarawak brought their crocodile mascot, Bujang Senang,
for the first time away from Kuching. But they didn't reckon on security
being stringent at the stadium.
The mascot was refused entry to the field as the team was about to go in
for their warm-up. But with the help of some Sarawak players, the mascot
was led onto it.
It was then that the Singapore fans clamored for their mascot - the
lion - to join Bujang Senang on the pitch.
Under normal circumstances, this would not have been allowed at a soccer
match. But Sunday was different.
Bujang Senang, on seeing the Lion trooping in, offered to shake hands but
the Lion surprisingly refused. Instead, it turned around and showed its
butt to Bujang Senang.
That sparked a personal duel between the two mascots. The situation was
defused when Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Brig Gen Lee Shein Loo was
invited to meet the players from both sides.
Lee sportingly met the Sarawak players and officials before meeting the
Singapore players.
But when the names of the Sarawak players were announced, the capacity
55,000 crowd jeered.
There was more to come.
The Sarawak players, in a goodwill gesture, kicked souvenir balls to the
crowd after the introduction.
What followed was a very unsporting gesture. The Singapore fans urged
those who were lucky to get the balls to kick them back onto the field.
In the end, the balls given to the ball pickers seated on the tracks.
Surely, Singapore fans could have behaved better.
A Singapore newspaper reported the incident as an attempt by the Sarawak
players to bribe the fans into supporting them. How low can they go?
One Singapore fan from the grandstand even threw a mineral water bottle
at Sarawak coach Alan Vest when he got up from his bench to walk towards
the sidelines.
It may not be serious compared to other incidents in Malaysian stadiums
but what was alarming was that this happened in Singapore.
A veteran sportswriter in Singapore commented: "It is not surprising
because what you witnessed is a suppressed society letting off steam.
"They cannot behave in this manner anywhere else because they will be
hauled up.
"They will be hauled up in the stadium too, but the chances of getting
caught is slim in a crowd of 50,000. It is sad that this is happening in
Singapore."
The writer said it was great to see the National Stadium packed to the
brim again, but it lacked an atmosphere.
"I have been to various stadiums in Malaysia and even with a lesser
crowd but the feeling is more electrifying," he wrote.
"But here, we have the crowd reacting for all the wrong reasons. They do
not even know how to cheer their team."
The last straw was when Singapore FA and Singapore Sports Council
officials treated a group of Malaysian sportswriters without much respect.

What next, Vest? (The Malay Mail)

ALAN VEST, in his three-year tenure, has taken Sarawak from the backwaters
of Malaysian soccer to the forefront.
 If he decides to extend his contract with the Sarawak FA, the
possibility of the East Malaysian State progressing to become a major
force cannot be dismissed.
 But the question most Sarawak fans from Kuching to Miri are asking is:
Will Vest prolong his stay as coach?
 Vest, after having steered Sarawak to runnersup spot in the First
Division and semifinals of the Malaysia Cup this season, might have made
up his mind about his future.
 Or maybe not yet.
 Whatever decision Vest comes up with - his answer to the FA would
probably be sometime this week - it could point to where Sarawak are
heading.
 "I have to seriously think about a few things before giving my answer,"
said Vest after watching his side lose 2-1 to Singapore in the semifinal
second leg at the National Stadium on Sunday.
 Among the `few things' are offers from other States as well as a
national coaching job in another country.
 But Vest stressed that money or the need for a change would not be the
criteria for his decision.
 "I have enjoyed working in Sarawak. They are not only a nice bunch but
also, I was given a free hand as coach, which is a rarity in Malaysian
soccer," said Vest.
 "I have no complaints about the people I work with, but there are other
factors which I must seriously consider."
 He cited these factors as:
 * WHETHER he will be allowed to retain the players he wants and whether
the Sarawak FA can afford them if they seek a hike in salary;
 * WHETHER the FA can afford to sign the replacements he require;
 * WHETHER the present players - the foreigners and three Malacca-born
players - will still be available for Sarawak; and
 * THE fact that anymore infusion of players from West Malaysia might not
go down well with local sentiments.
 Vest said if he were to remain, it would have to be for another three
years.
 "I don't believe in short-term contracts because nothing much can be
achieved in that sort of time," he said.
 "There is still a lot to be done in Sarawak soccer and although I have
been very critical about Sarawak's development programme, I have realised
that this State have a short soccer history.
 "They don't have enough clubs for coaches and players to emerge or a
progressive League to cultivate the interests of players.
 "This is a growing State in soccer and obviously, it will take some time
before it catches up with the rest.
 "There has been a stronger following in recent years and hopefully, this
will mean something."
                              (END)

My best and bad year

S. SUBRAMANIAM yesterday bade farewell to Kuala Lumpur FA on a mixed note.
Mixed because he was sad to be ending a 12-year association but
satisfied because he managed to steer them to the only Cup which had
eluded them until this season - the FA Cup.
"KL might not have done well in the League but I am leaving with the
knowledge that I did my best for the team," said the 56-year-old
Subramaniam, who is now technical director of the Asian Football
Confederation (AFC).
Before this season, Subramaniam had also coached KL (formerly Federal
Territory) from 1982 to 1984 and thereafter became Director of Coaching.
He was recalled as coach this year, replacing Chow Kwai Lam.
In his report to KLFA on the Semi-Pro League team this season, he
mentioned that it had been a difficult and challenging period for him.
"Several players left for greener pastures while there were no adequate
replacements for those dropped," he wrote in his report.
"We had only three first choice players left from the 1992 season -
goalkeeper V. Murugan, defender Razip Ismail and midfielder Zoran
Nikolic."
The other players from the 1992 squad were Shahrin Abdul Majid, Subadron
Aziz, Raja Azlan Shah Raja Soib, S. Balachandran, Yap Wai Loon and K.
Vijatheran, but they were not regulars in 1992.
"We were forced to introduce the back-up squad players earlier than we
had anticipated."
Among the back-up players introduced this season were goalkeeper Azrin
Azram, defenders Fairuz Ahmad Mohamad Yunus, Ahmad Fairuz Abdul Aziz, R.
Ramachandran, L. Suresh, midfielders P.P. Loarance David and strikers
Amzanie Che Ani, T. Gopinath Naidu and Mohamad Sham Mohamad Nor.
"As we were short of experienced players in certain departments, we had
to recall two players - goalkeeper Yap Kam Choon and Chow Siew Yai - while
a third, Serbegeth Singh, volunteered to play for us."
Subramaniam said it was unfortunate that KL lost Bulgarian striker
Atanas Pashev after he was injured in a FA Cup second round match against
Armed Forces.
"His absence left a vacuum in attack and we had to depend a great deal
on raw strikers like Gopinath and Shahrin.
Subramaniam has some recommendations to KLFA for next season. Among them
are:
* APPOINT the manager immediately;
* COACH and manager should be given a free hand to select players needed
for vital positions;
* BONUS must be reviewed and the manager be given the prerogative to
decide additional bonus depending on the importance of certain matches;
and
* SEVERAL younger players can be considered for the new season. Among
them are goalkeepers Azrin, Hanim Ali, utility players S. Mathen and
Zairul Akramin Mohamad Darus, midfielders G. Chandrasegeran and Azrul Amri
Burhan and striker Mior Nor Samsul Kamal.
Even though KL failed to qualify for the Malaysia Cup, Subramaniam said
he had done his job to the best of his ability this year.
(

Going home (The Malay Mail)

MIKE BROWN did not waste any time getting a job after his team failed to
qualify for the Malaysia Cup soccer semifinals. Last week, he was
appointed assistant manager-cum-coach of English Premier League side
Coventry.
 Brown, 53, said he was undecided about his future after Pahang defeated
Perak 2-0 in their last Malaysia Cup group match at Lumut. He had a few
options, which included one in England.
 Obviously, it was Coventry, now managed by former England international
Phil Neal following the resignation of Bobby Gould last month.
 Gould, who a few seasons ago was linked to Pahang, is now a television
commentator. He quit following the team's 5-1 defeat by Queen's Park
Rangers.
 Brown's appointment at Coventry was reported in major dailies in England
last week.
 The Neal-Brown combination is not new because the duo had a stint
together at Bolton Wanderers.
 Brown has been involved in the game for the last 38 years, which
includes a playing career with Hull City (1953-66) and Lincoln City (one
season). He then joined Cambridge from 1968 to 1970 as player-coach.
 He was assistant manager at Oxford for two years from 1970 and manager
for four years. He moved on to West Bromich Albion as assistant team
manager before swicthing to Manchester United as assistant manager from
1981-1986. He was with Bolton for five years before coming to Pahang.
 Although there is a new management at Coventry, fans are still
clamouring for Gould's return. Last week, protesting Coventry fans invaded
the pitch at the end of the match against Sheffield United in support of
Gould.
 Nearly 400 suporters raced across the pitch at the end of a dreary 0-0
draw and stood in front of the directors box chanting: "Sack the board,
sack the board."
 They waved banners proclaiming: `Board out, Gouldy in a reference to
Gould's announcement that he was in touch with a local group wishing to
take over Highfield Road.
 It was learnt that he has had discussions with Singapore FA officials,
but nothing has been confirmed so far.
                              (END)

Kumaresan seeks longer overseas stint

NATIONAL cyclist M. Kumaresan returned from his three-month training in
Stuttgart, Germany, on Saturday, with the hope of winning a gold medal in
the Asian cycling championships in Ipoh in November, reports TONY MARIA-
DASS.
The 26-year-old cyclist who, besides training under coach Hans Holzer
and supervision of Karl Link and competing in weekend races, ended his
stint by competing in the World Championship in Norway last month.
And for the first time in a world-class field, Kumaresan managed to
compete the 186km road race, where he finished 132nd out of a field of
250.
Probably nothing to shout about, but Kumaresan had reasons to be happy.
"In my previous two outings with world class riders, in the 1988
Olympics and World championship in Stuttgart in 1990, I did not complete
the race, as I was left far behind and lapped by the other riders," said
Kumaresan.
"But this time around, I not only completed, but also did not get
lapped.
"This is indeed an achievement for me because I was not totally
outclassed.
"Besides, it was a tough and fast pace race where the cyclists were
averaging about 45kph and on downhill hitting about 85kph."
Kumaresan, who was sponsored by SportExcel, said the trip was indeed
benefical for him. He had previously trained in Germany on five other
occasions from 1988, also on short stints.
He felt that short stints do not help him totally.
"Most of the riders who competed in the World Championship have been
preparing and competing in races in Europe for the last six months.
"Even the Japanese cyclists have been in Europe for more than three
months preparing for the race."
Kumaresan said that the training methods in Europe is very advanced and
scientific.
"Their training, food and suppelements they take are so advanced," said
Kumaresan.
"They also do high-altitude training for pre-season which I have missed.
"To top it, the cyclists get top-level competition almost very week and
when I said that I race about 20 to 3O races a year, they were surprised,
because that is the number of races they compete in about three months.
"My stint in Stuttgart was beneficial, but I feel that I will benefit
more if I am based there for a longer period, probably seven months a
year."
Kumaresan said that he has definitely improved with his three-month
stint and was hoping to get a gold in Ipoh, although his actual target is
to win a gold at the Hiroshima Asian Games next year.
Kumaresan won one silver medal in the 30km point race and one bronze in
the 4km individual pursuit in 1991 Asian cycling championship in Beijing
and a silver in the point race in 1987 in Jakarta.

We quit!

YESTERDAY'S black day for Malaysian hockey marked the end of an era and
the beginning of another, with the teams failure to qualify for the World
Cup next year.
There is going to be a change of guard in the team as several senior
players are quitting, having made known their intentions earlier if
Malaysia failed to gain a ticket to Sydney.
Skipper Nor Saiful Zaini, veteran goalkeeper Ahmad Fadzil and centrehalf
Sarjit Singh said yesterdays defeat to Belgium was the end of their
national career.
"This is it ... I've had enough," said Saiful after the match. "I was so
confident we would qualify for the World Cup, but never expected our
dreams to end like this.
"No more. This is the end."
Said Ahmad: "Enough is enough. I have been at it for far too long."
Other seniors in Abdul hadi, Gary Fidelis and Soon Mustapha had also
expressed a desire to quit the team if they failed to qualify for the
World Cup.
All of them yesterday said there is nothing left to look forward to,
having failed to win a berth. They pointed out that they would be too old
for the next World Cup.
Among the team here in Poznan, only `keeper' Ahmad has appeared in the
World Cup Finals, in Bombay in 1981 - the last time Malaysia qualified for
the tournament.
Several players who had quit the national team earlier, had been
persuaded to make a return for this qualifying round. Among them were Nor
Saiful, Soon and even Lim Chiow Chuan who had retired after the Beijing
Asian Games.
Among the reasons the players cited for resigning then, was that they
were not well taken care of by the Malaysian Hockey Federation.
The MHF came up with incentive schemes but another storm brewed after
the Champions Trophy when they paid out only RM100 to the players.
However, the situation was calmed and the players were certainly in the
right frame of mind when they arrived in Poznan. Still, the MHF could have
come up with better and more lucrative incentives should the team qualify
for the World Cup.
Most of the seniors here said they were very keen about wanting to
qualify for Sydney. But the disappointment of failure, and their age
factor were the main reasons for announcing their retirement.

We quit! (The Malay Mail)

Reporting from Poznan, Poland

YESTERDAY'S black day for Malaysian hockey marked the end of an era and
the beginning of another, with the teams failure to qualify for the World
Cup next year.
There is going to be a change of guard in the team as several senior
players are quitting, having made known their intentions earlier if
Malaysia failed to gain a ticket to Sydney.
Skipper Nor Saiful Zaini, veteran goalkeeper Ahmad Fadzil and centrehalf
Sarjit Singh said yesterdays defeat to Belgium was the end of their
national career.
"This is it ... I've had enough," said Saiful after the match. "I was so
confident we would qualify for the World Cup, but never expected our
dreams to end like this.
"No more. This is the end."
Said Ahmad: "Enough is enough. I have been at it for far too long."
Other seniors in Abdul hadi, Gary Fidelis and Soon Mustapha had also
expressed a desire to quit the team if they failed to qualify for the
World Cup.
All of them yesterday said there is nothing left to look forward to,
having failed to win a berth. They pointed out that they would be too old
for the next World Cup.
Among the team here in Poznan, only `keeper' Ahmad has appeared in the
World Cup Finals, in Bombay in 1981 - the last time Malaysia qualified for
the tournament.
Several players who had quit the national team earlier, had been
persuaded to make a return for this qualifying round. Among them were Nor
Saiful, Soon and even Lim Chiow Chuan who had retired after the Beijing
Asian Games.
Among the reasons the players cited for resigning then, was that they
were not well taken care of by the Malaysian Hockey Federation.
The MHF came up with incentive schemes but another storm brewed after
the Champions Trophy when they paid out only RM100 to the players.
However, the situation was calmed and the players were certainly in the
right frame of mind when they arrived in Poznan. Still, the MHF could have
come up with better and more lucrative incentives should the team qualify
for the World Cup.
Most of the seniors here said they were very keen about wanting to
qualify for Sydney. But the disappointment of failure, and their age
factor were the main reasons for announcing their retirement.
                             (END)

What's the use? (The Malay Mail)

OFFICIALS from the National Sports Council (NSC) and Sports Ministry will
be in Stuttgart today to interview about 20 German coaches to be put in
charge of the various sports.
 The objective is the Commonwealth Games in 1998. The officials are led
by NSC's director of development Ho Koh Chye.
 But the prudency of hiring these coaches has been questioned by German
Sports Federation official Hans-Peter Thumm, who had spent two years in
Malaysia.
 Thumm is sceptical if the coaches would be able to impart their
knowledge without interference because the hiring is being conducted by
NSC and not the national sports associations.
 "I'm not discouraging Malaysia from hiring coaches from here. In fact,
were committed to helping developing countries," said Thumm.
 "But from my experience in Malaysia, I really do not know if these
German coaches can really work effectively.
 "I found that criticism is also not well-received. Sometimes, the
biggest stumbling blocks are the local coaches who refuse to learn from
the foreigners."
 Thumm said he received opposition, especially from the Malaysian AAU
when he voiced his opinion on certain matters.
 "Most of the local athletics coaches aren't suitably qualified. The
truth hurts but the damage is greater when the flaws in the system are not
rectified.
 "There is a lot of potential in Malaysia that need to be nurtured
expertly. Facilities aren't a problem either but they are not utilised
properly.
 "I discovered that officials in South-East Asia, especially, are just
happy being the best in the region."
 "Success cannot be achieved overnight. But it will come through
determination, dedication and discipline over a period of time. Patience
and tolerance are essential," said Thumm.
 "Malaysia want to do well in the Commonwealth Games but it is easier
said than done. The Commonwealth Games are not like the Sea Games.
                              (END)

Yes, that's our girl

MALAYSIA'S Jayanthi Palaniappan set a national record although outclassed
in the women's 3,000m heats in the World championships in Stuggart on
Saturday night.
Jayanthi finished third last in 9:18.42 in a pool of 16 in the first of
three heats won by China's Zhang Linli in 8:48.85.
Jayanthi also had for company England's Yvonne Murray, who finished
second in 8:51.30. She is ranked fourth by IAAF.
Another notable athlete in the heat was Russia's Yelena Romanova who
finished third in 8:54.81.
Said Jayanthi after the race: "I've achieved what I had set out to do
here and I'm indeed elated. In fact, I have surpassed my target as I hoped
to clock around 9:20.22.
"I pushed myself against the strong field and although I could not keep
up, I could not have asked for a better timing."
Jayanthi clocked 9:32.00 in a warm-up race in Weinstad last week.
She said the race was an experience of a life time.
"The athletes here are several classes above us. If I can race with them
more often I am sure I will improve further."
Jayanthi is hoping to do better in the 10,000m on Aug 19.
The Maybank officer, who also holds the national 10,000m record with a
time of 35:37.21, is hoping to dip 35mins.
"My performance in the 3,000m has boosted my confidence. I am looking
forward to the coming race which is my pet event."
Indeed, it was proud day for her.
In the Sea Games at Singapore last June, she won gold medals in the
3,000m and 10,000m. She is moving towards her ambition of being an Asian
class athlete instead of being contented with Sea Games glory.

Yes, that's our girl (The Malay Mail)

Reporting from Stuttgart, Germany

MALAYSIA'S Jayanthi Palaniappan set a national record although outclassed
in the women's 3,000m heats in the World championships in Stuttgart on
Saturday night.
 Jayanthi finished third last in 9:18.42 in a pool of 16 in the first of
three heats won by China's Zhang Linli in 8:48.85.
 Jayanthi also had for company England's Yvonne Murray, who finished
second in 8:51.30. She is ranked fourth by IAAF.
 Another notable athlete in the heat was Russia's Yelena Romanova who
finished third in 8:54.81.
 Said Jayanthi after the race: "I've achieved what I had set out to do
here and I'm indeed elated. In fact, I have surpassed my target as I hoped
to clock around 9:20.22.
 "I pushed myself against the strong field and although I could not keep
up, I could not have asked for a better timing."
 Jayanthi clocked 9:32.00 in a warm-up race in Weinstad last week.
 She said the race was an experience of a life time.
 "The athletes here are several classes above us. If I can race with them
more often I am sure I will improve further."
 Jayanthi is hoping to do better in the 10,000m on Aug 19.
 The Maybank officer, who also holds the national 10,000m record with a
time of 35:37.21, is hoping to dip 35mins.
 "My performance in the 3,000m has boosted my confidence. I am looking
forward to the coming race which is my pet event."
 Indeed, it was proud day for her.
 In the Sea Games at Singapore last June, she won gold medals in the
3,000m and 10,000m. She is moving towards her ambition of being  an Asian
class athlete instead of being contented with Sea Games glory.
                               (END)

Tang calls it a day (The Malay Mail)

Former Kuala Lumpur skipper, Tang Siew Seng, has quit after 12 years with
the team.
 Siew Seng, who turns 33 on Aug 8, officially informed KLFA secretary K.
Rasalingam yesterday.
 He has been battling a achilles tendon injury which he suffered in the
first leg of the Malaysia Cup semifinals against Kedah last year. He was
operated on in October.
 Siew Seng graduated to the senior team in 1980 after making his mark
with the Razak Cup squad two years earlier. Since then the dedicated and
disciplined player has server KL well despite numerous injuries which
threatened to end his playing career prematurely.
 However, it has taken too long to recover from this injury. Besides,
Siew Seng feels the time is right to quit as KL have several youngsters to
depend on now.
 "It is with a tinge of sadness that I'm quitting. Twelve years is a long
time and I'm going to miss being part of the team," said Siew Seng
yesterday.
 "I was with KL when they were the minnows. But now I have three Malaysia
Cup winners' medals, a League Cup medal, a Charity Shield medal and a FA
Cup winners' medal.
 "I cannot ask for more. For this I have to thank all the KLFA officials,
especially Tan Sri Elyas Omar."
 Siew Seng went on to represent the country in the New Delhi Asian Games.
 He does not want to make any decision about his future. Siew Seng wants
to recover fully first. Depending on his condition, he may play for City
Hall, where he is an assistant sports officer.
 Otherwise, he may take up coaching. Siew Seng holds an FAM Advanced
Coaching Certificate (Grade B).
 KL coach S. Subramaniam said they have lost a dedicated player while
KLFA secretary K. Rasalingam added Siew Seng's services will not be
forgotten.
                              (END)

Sincerity's the key (The Malay Mail)

MY ONLY wish before I die is to see an Asian win an Olympic medal in
athletics.
 I cannot imagine after having come so close 33 years ago, when I
finished fourth in the 400m, that no one has come to achieve it all these
years.
 Back home in India, the Government has a standing offer of RM200,000 to
any athlete who can erase my 400m record timing of 45.6s, but no one has
achieved that.
 Though I am proud that my record still stands in India, I am sad that no
athlete has come close to it all these years.
 And I can only pin the failure to do so with the attitude of present day
athletes.
 What today's athletes fail to realise is achievement in sports has no
price-tags. It has to be worked for with total dedication, determination
and discipline.
 Sincerity is the key word in sports, be it an athlete or an official.
 We have all the facilities - from big stadiums to modern day equipment
to vitamin supplies - but nothing will be achieved if the athletes
themselves do not work for it.
 And it is sad to note that athletes now do not want to work for it.
 When I was running I used to train five hours a day, six days a week.
 I used to train until I blacked-out and even vomitted blood. After
races, I had to be given oxygen to be revived.
 There were no rewards then, but it was just a personal glory
representing the nation that kept us going.
Torture
 And more important in success was consistentcy.
 These days I hear athletes talking about off-seasons and that they have
peaked for a race and will see their performance take a dip before making
an impact again.
 I had a stint in Europe for two months once and there I ran in 30 races.
And throughout my athletics career, I had run in 80 international races
and won 77.
 At times when there was no meets, I would be running against the clock,
just to ensure that I was still clocking the times I was capable of.
 And this I did every week.
 At any time, I was invited to run in a race I was ready.
 There were many times when after a race I had told myself that it would
be my last because of the pain and torture, but each time I was back on
the tracks because I just loved winning and the thunder of applause.
 Training those days and now has not really differed much. Probably
scientific methods are often used now, but still we cannot get good
athletes from Asia.
 Those days I used to work on speedwork, strengthen workouts and do
cross-country runs.
 If it was suffice then and I could clock impressive times, I see no
reason why it should be outdated and cannot be applied by athletes these
days.
 Then we used to run bare-footed on cinder tracks and it required more
power to run and we could still clock good times.
 Now, even with the comfortable tartan tracks which make running a lot
easier, besides giving a bounce which is condusive to clock better times,
achievements are still hard to come by.
 Besides the problems of the athletes themselves, I believe officials,
too, have not been playing their role well.
Decisions
 A lot have placed selfinterest above their duties and, more often than
not, neglect the welfare of the athletes.
 It is really not so difficult to produce good athletes. All it needs is
good planning and one person with a good acknowledge of the sports in
charge.
 We cannot have too many people making decisions because this will only
confuse matters and contradict certain issues. We should also be open to
expert advice from coaches who have proven track record especially from
Europe.
 I personally feel that our local coaches lack in many areas like
exposure, usage of latest techniques and, above all, a professional
attitude.
 We should invite foreign coaches and give them long-term contracts to
achieve a definite target.
 Remember, athletes cannot be made overnight.
 I know that Malaysia are hosting the Commonwealth Games in 1998. Can you
name me an athlete who is being groomed to win a medal at the Games on
your home soil?
 I know Malaysia might win medals in other sports like badminton. But a
medal in athletics is something else and, without it, hosting the Games
could well be classified as worthless.
 Malaysia should have already identified 13 or 14-year-old athletes and
put them on a five-year programme.
 Athletes these days should be making a name for themselves at the age of
18 or 19 and not in the 20s.
 I would have loved to see my son, Jeev, take up athletics, so that at
least I would have given a shot at grooming him to do as well if not
better than me.
 However, my wife was not keen on him taking up athletics because she
felt that one in the family was enough.
Desire
 Jeev did well as a school athlete, but he was also good at cricket. But
when he went to study in the US, he decided to take up golf and is now a
pro.
 As much as I wanted him to take athletics, I did not force him because
it would defeat the purpose.
 No athlete should be forced to become one. He must be a willing athlete
and have the desire to work hard and seek glory.
 I just hope one such athlete will come up soon in Asia and remind me of
my glorious past before I leave this world.
                              (END)

My super dad

FRANCISCO "Tatang" De Vega, women sprint ace Lydia's father, has been
coaching her for 16 years and spent so much money on him and his daughter
that he cannot say how much.
And he is still at it, coaching and spending, all because of his love
for his daughter and athletics.
But he has one more reason why he and his daughter are still at it - to
prove to Filipinos and burcreacy that they can still go on and produce
results despite the poor financial support they get.
In fact, Tatang and Lydia are seriously calling it quits after the
Singapore Sea Games - provided that Lydia wins the double: the 100m and
200m.
"We have gone through some hard times over the 16 years, but we want to
prove that we can still carry on and produce results despite the poor
support we get," said the 66-year-old Tatang.
"But I have to thank some individual and private sponsors who have been
supportive to keep us going."
The fact that Lydia is married with a four-year-old daughter and still
running is proof of their determination.
"I am lucky that my son-in-law (Mercado) also thinks like us and wants
Lydia to continue. There were times when Lydia had wanted to call it
quits, but he got her to keep at it and even presuaded me a couple of time
to carry on when I was contemplating throwing in the towel."
Tatang said that although he had encountered financial problems, running
into hitches with athletics national sports offcials, having to face the
critics who were quick to critise when things were not going well for
Lydia, he has always derived his satisfaction when Lydia does well.
It all started 16 years ago when Lydia as a 12-year-old was spotted by
her school teacher as a potential athlete and fielded in her schools meet.
"I went to see her run in her school and I too thought she had a natural
ability to become an athlete," said the former policeman.
"It was then I decided that I will personally coach Lydia. But then I
did not have any coaching abilities in athletics. So I decided to attend
athletics coaching courses which saw me paying for it as I went to Japan,
the United States, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan.
"Then later the Philippines AAA also sent me for a few courses.
"It has been long hours of work, sacrifices, sweat, tears and pain, but
I have no regrets," said Tatang who, after quitting the Police Force in
1965, became a goldsmith.
While making gold jewellery, he was spending an equal amount of time and
money to shape the uncut diamond - Lydia - and he has certainly made her
polished and shining over the years.
Lydia who won her first Sea Games gold medal at the 1981 Sea Games in
Manila and has gone on to win it at the 1987 Games in Jakarta with a
personal best of 11.28 which is the Games record and won it for the third
time at the Manila Games in 1991.
Lydia is the fourth in a family of six - three brothers and three
sisters. He is the eldest among the sisters.
Lydia's mother, Mario Sarto, plays the role of housewife and gives her
morale support, advice and love by staying in the background.
"I owe my dad a great deal. For the last 16 years he has toiled for me
to make me become what I am in the athletics circle and is still at it.
"I am thankful to God for giving me such a father. And I hope that I
will have an eventful outting in Singapore as a parting present for him,"
said Lydia without wanting to elaborate.

Queen of the tracks

THE Filipinos are sure that Lydia De Vega Mercado will retain the 100m
title.
Lydia's main rival is none other than Malaysia's G. Shanti who lost to
her in the Manila Games. Shanti, however, turned the tables on the
Filipina in the 200m.
Although Lydia's father and coach, 65-year-old Franciso Tatang' de Vega
has been modest about his daughter's chances, athletics followers feel the
others are intimidated by Lydia's presence.
"Lydia has charisma. The opponents fear her," said a veteran athletics
journalist from the Philippines, E. Fernandez.
"The 200m will be an open affair. But we believe the 100m belongs to
Lydia. She will pull through the challenge from Shanti."
Ten years ago, at Singapore, Lydia was shocked by Thailand's Wallapa
Tangjinutsorn. However, at the same venue in the Asian Track and Field
championships in 1987, she triumped over India's P.T. Usha clocking
11.43s.
Naturally, Lydia is hoping to be as lucky as she was in the ATF meet
when she appears for the third time at the National Stadium.
"It is going to be keenly contested. I too want to win but a great deal
will depend on what happens on race day," said the 28-year-old athlete.
Lydia is the holder of both the 100m and 200m Sea Games record - 11.28
and 23.54 respectively - which clocked at the 1987 and 1981 Games
respectively.
At the last Games in Manila where Lydia edged Shanti, she clocked 11.44.
Her personal best for the 100m was clocked during the 1987 Sea Games in
Jakarta and is the closest an Asian woman has come to Chi Cheng's
Continental record of 11.22 recorded in Vienna in 1970.
Malaysian coach Harun Rasheed Othuman said it is going to be a touch-
and-go affair.
"It could be Lydia, Shanti or any of the other athletes because most of
them have been clocking around 10.4 recently," said Rasheed.
"Shanti has been shaping up well and a great deal will depend on what
actually happens on that day. we just hope that everything goes well for
her, like a good start."
The 26-year-old athlete has been shying away from publicity and quietly
preparing herself.
The Perak-born athlete said: "I have trained hard and am mentally
prepared, but I am sure Lydia has been training hard too. I really cannot
say anything except that the best woman will win. We will see how I
perform."
In the recent selection trials for the Sea Games last month, Shanti
clocked 11.50 erasing her previous national record of 11.51 set in 1991.
While focus is on Lydia and Shanti, Vietnam's Truong Hoang My Linh is
also secretly hoping to be the party spoiler.
The 24-year-old athlete who has been the national champion since 1985 in
both the 100m and 200m, had clocked 11.95 at the Thai Open recently to be
placed third behind Taiwan's Olympic semifinalist Wang Huei Chen and
China's Qi Hong.
The soft spoken Troung revealed that it was her dream to get the gold
medal in the sea Games. But she was quick to add: "It's my dream but I
really cannot tell what chances I have for a medal. I want to do my best,
but anything can happen. We'll have to wait and see."
The 100m semifinals is the fourth event on the first day of the
athletics programme tomorrow at 9.20am.
Shanti will be running in Lane 4 in the second semifinal together with
Mona Kunalan (Singapore), Marsita Kamel Jumat (Brunei), Rhoda Sinoro
(Philippines), Savitree Srichure (Thailand), Truang and Rita Pattepeilohy.

There's no room for Nasir (06/05/1993 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 06/05/1993
Headline : There's no room for Nasir



THERE is only one way to view national coach Ken Worden's surprise
decision to recall Nasir Yusof for the Sea Games - retrogressive.
No doubt Nasir, 33, can still contribute to the national team in the
short term but we need is a concrete plan for the future.
And the building blocks for a Malaysia of the future are the up-and-
coming youngsters.
Somehow, after acknowledging the fact, soccer authorities go back to
recalling the old guard.
Nasir's experience will give Worden some option in line-up and strategy
but in the search for immediate results, the youngsters will be
sacrificed.
Strangely, Worden dismissed Nasir after trying him out in the pre-Asian
Cup last year in Singapore and noew he wants to bring him back.
Players cannot be dismissed and recalled at the whims of coaches.
There has to be firm action.
Malaysia have done well in the last 15 months with Worden in charge and
their performance in the preWorld Cup tournament must be praised.
But just when one is beginning to believe there is hope yet for
Malaysian soccer, we step back into history.
Sure our younger players lack experience but they certainly are not
going to gain any by warming the bench or by being dropped.
Worden has said for Malaysia to improve, we have to play the giants of
Asia time and again.
But if we keep bringing back the veterans each time we need to stabilise
the team, we are not going to help our game.
Disbanded
Of course, we need experienced players to guide the youngsters. For that
we have the likes of Ahmad Yusof, Azizol Abu Haniffah, Zainal Abidin
Hassan, K. Gunalan, A. Jayakanthan and Dollah Salleh.
The youngsters, especially those from the disbanded Barcelona Olympic
squad like Azman Adnan, Mubin Mokhtar, Malek Abdul Rahman and Salahuddin
Che Ros, are already making their mark.
All they needed was the opportunity to prove themselves.
While most of the other countries are depending on their younger players
to carry the challenge over a longer period, we are just looking for
short-term success.
Just look at the Saudi team. The team's average age is 23 and they are
doing well.
Of course, Worden will say that they are technically better than our
youth players.
Perhaps, it's time we paid more emphasis on developing our players to
have better technical abilities.
After all, it has been acknowledged that our youth development
programmes are bearing fruits. Let's have some faith in it.
Otherwise, time and again, we will be looking for short term success,
which is not even guaranteed.

Rajagopal's night of glory (The Malay Mail)

NATIONAL assistant coach K. Rajagopal was celebrating in his own right
amidst his players' jubilation following their 3-1 win over South Korea in
the 34th Merdeka tournament last night.
 The former national winger, who had been capped 15 times for the
country, had always dreamt of playing in the Merdeka tournament but never
got a chance to fulfil it.
 But Rajagopal finally realised that dream last night, though in a
different capacity.
 "As a national player I yearned to play in the Merdeka tournament, but
was not so lucky," said Rajagopal, who featured for Selangor from 1979 to
1984 and the national team from 1980 to 1982.
 "I came close to realising the dream in 1981 when I was part of the
national B team as we were initially supposed to be one of the
participating teams. But at the last minute, our place was taken by
another foreign team and that blew my chance.
 "When I stopped playing for the country, I thought my dream to play in
the Merdeka tournament was buried.
 "Little did I know that I will still get a chance to be part of the
Merdeka tournament - but in a different capacity.
 "Although I did not play in the Merdeka tournament, it is still a great
honour to be with the national team, and especially with the
titleholders."
 Rajagopal, 36, said he was grateful to Ken Worden for giving him the
opportunity to help out with the national team.
 He was assisting Worden when the latter was in charge of Selangor in
1991. When Worden was appointed national coach early last year, he decided
to invite Rajagopal to help him out at the national level too.
 Many may envy Rajagopal because it is not easy to be associated with the
national team, especially since he had little coaching experience.
 But Worden saw that Rajagopal had potential and decided to use him.
 Said Worden of Rajagopal: "He is a young, up-and-coming coach and I am
glad that he is my assistant.
 "We have had a great working relationship and he is certainly part of
our success tonight."
 Worden was also happy for Rajagopal in his appointment as assistant
coach of Selangor for the new season.
                              (END)