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)