Publication : MM
Date : 24/03/2006
Headline : Officials who do more ill than good
OVERZEALOUS officials can be detrimental to an athlete's future.
It is without doubt, officials, be the coaches, managers, fitness
trainers or even masseurs, have an important role to play in an athlete's
development.
These officials not only play the role of a trainer or manager, but
also act as a parental figure for their charges - be it in terms of
moulding the athlete's character, promotion and, more importantly, in
dealing with the media.
There is an old saying in sports journalism that sports journalists can
make or break an athlete's career.
However, it is wrong to assume that these scribes are vindictive and
bear grudges so much so they are out to destroy an athlete's career.
More often than not, it is the athletes themselves who run foul of the
sports journalists after showing a weak character in handling the media
by saying the wrong things, and realising their mistakes too late when
the damage has been done.
Of course, inept officials also play a role in making things bad for
the athletes.
Basically, it is a question of both the athletes and officials not
being taught on handling the media.
And it happened at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Melbourne early
this week, when National Sports Council (NSC) masseur Ronald Fauvel irked
the print media after leading Nicol David to a hurried exit despite
reporters fielding questions following her semi-final defeat by
Australia's Natalie Grinham.
Only the timely intervention by NSC director-general, Dr Ramlan Aziz,
who brought back Nicol for the interview, defused what would have been a
timeout for the media to lash out at the player.
But the damage was done because Fauvel, who later claimed that Nicol
had suffered cramps during her match and they needed to be treated by
rushing her onto the exercise cycle, had actually stopped to give the
electronic media an interview.
Probably, Fauvel decided Nicol's cramps were not that bad after all
because there was an opportunity for him to appear on television!
Whatever the reason, Fauvel had compounded the situation with his
overzealousness and attempt to look very important because he was with a
world-class athlete.
Would he have acted in the same manner if she was just another ordinary
or up-and-coming athlete?
As for Nicol, I sincerely doubt she had snubbed the media, but was
merely following Fauvel's instructions.
I am not taking sides or favouring Nicol, but am making a judgement
based on my interview with her in Malaysia soon after she had won the
world title.
In fact, Nicol caught me by surprise with her maturity and ability to
analyse her position after winning the title, as Malaysian athletes
generally cannot handle pressure and cannot positively chart their
destiny.
She was prepared to take a dip this year, as she admitted she was
surprised at her feat as she had not planned for it.
Nicol knew she still had a long way to go in the game, and there would
be ups and downs.
Above all, Nicol knew the pressure she would be facing after winning
the world title and was also prepared for media attacks from those who
really did not understand her predicament.
All in, here was a young lass, prepared for the worst, as she tried her
best to remain on top, but was prepared to regain the position through
sheer hard work and determination, if she fell.
Thus, generally, the media would not have hounded her for her exit from
the semi-finals in Melbourne and all they wanted was her version for her
defeat.
Yesterday, there was another case of overzealous officials at the
Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
Yeo Ken Nee was withdrawn midway in the men's 3m springboard final
because he could not continue as his fever got the better of him.
Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said (right) was furious at the
officials deciding to field Ken Nee, which put his life at risk.
This is a case of not only our athletes lacking professionalism, but
the officials too.
And it all boils down to a lack of proper education of professionalism
among athletes from young. As for officials, they are also not properly
trained on how to handle their charges.
Next week, I will focus on England's Michael Owen's visit to Malaysia
as a 17-year-old for the 1977 World Youth Cup, which could shed some
light on what character building is all about and the responsibility of
officials.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Nothing less than the best will do (17/03/2006 - The Malay Mail)
Publication : MM
Date : 17/03/2006
Headline : Nothing less than the best will do
MALAYSIA'S Melbourne Commonwealth Games campaign started with a bang
yesterday with Mohd Faisal Baharom lifting the nation's first of the
targeted 11 gold medals in the 56kg category yesterday.
Gold is great but our athletes must also realise there are loftier
goals they should strive for - personal bests and even Games records, for
instance.
Raising the bar should help motivate our sportsmen to rise to greater
heights and be recognised internationally.
Athletes from the elite AsiaComm 2006 project and the Gemilang 2006
programme have a lot at stake.
The AsiaComm squad comprises 145 of the nation's best athletes who are
expected to win medals at the Commonwealth Games and the Doha Asian Games
in December, while the Gemilang 2006 squad comprises mainly back-up
athletes.
The Games in Melbourne, with a strong international field competing,
serves as a timely check on the progress of these athletes.
While badminton and squash players have been busy with international
assignments since the beginning of the year, Melbourne is the first major
meet for many others.
Much money has been invested in these athletes and it is their duty to
prove they are heading in the right direction.
While the athletes will be watched closely, we should also keep tabs on
the coaches, especially the many foreigners hired to guide our men and
women.
Malaysia's Cabinet Committee for Sports has approved RM68 million to
develop and prepare elite athletes for the eight core sports - aquatics,
athletics, badminton, bowling, gymnastics, football, hockey and squash.
Another RM125 million has been set aside for mass sports. This is how
serious the Government is about sports.
The Government has even decided to convert its rubber research facility
in England to a High Performance Training Centre.
Malaysian athletes are a blessed lot but they are often guilty of
taking things for granted.
It is hoped that at the end of the Games on March 26, the Malaysian
contingent will return with the euphoria they raised when they won 61
gold medals at the Philippines SEA Games in December. Perhaps with less
medals but with the consolation that they were won against much tougher
opposition.
On that note, I also hope the hockey team who play India today, start
on a winning note and go on to at least match their silver medal effort
from the last Games.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) deserve a pat on the back for
having come up with the comprehensive 'Wawasan Hoki Negara' - National
Hockey Vision - to see the national team win the gold medal in Doha and
reach at least the semifinals in the World Cup in 2014 and win a Olympic
medal in 2016.
Basically, the Vision is to raise the standard and standing of the
domestic game, introduce new tournaments and restructure existing ones.
The objective is to produce consistently high-performance teams,
deliver sustained results to propel the nation to the highest sporting
glory.
MHF are among the "early birds" among the eight core sports to come up
with this programme and it shows their seriousness to repay the
Government's faith in them.
MHF created another first in 1992 when they set up the 'Yayasan Hoki
Malaysia' (Malaysian Hockey Foundation) whose aim was to award
scholarships and grant financial assistance to players, make payments
under the MHF Retirement Benefit Scheme and make welfare contributions.
Up until 2004, 31 ex-national players had benefited from the retirement
scheme while 22 players had the opportunity to further their studies at
the tertiary level.
If more sports associations follow MHF's footsteps, it would only be a
matter of time before Malaysian sports raises itself to the highest
pedestals in world sports.
MALAYSIA'S Melbourne Commonwealth Games campaign started with a bang
yesterday with Mohd Faisal Baharom lifting the nation's first of the
targeted 11 gold medals in the 56kg category yesterday.
Gold is great but our athletes must also realise there are loftier
goals they should strive for - personal bests and even Games records, for
instance.
Raising the bar should help motivate our sportsmen to rise to greater
heights and be recognised internationally.
Athletes from the elite AsiaComm 2006 project and the Gemilang 2006
programme have a lot at stake.
The AsiaComm squad comprises 145 of the nation's best athletes who are
expected to win medals at the Commonwealth Games and the Doha Asian Games
in December, while the Gemilang 2006 squad comprises mainly back-up
athletes.
The Games in Melbourne, with a strong international field competing,
serves as a timely check on the progress of these athletes.
While badminton and squash players have been busy with international
assignments since the beginning of the year, Melbourne is the first major
meet for many others.
Much money has been invested in these athletes and it is their duty to
prove they are heading in the right direction.
While the athletes will be watched closely, we should also keep tabs on
the coaches, especially the many foreigners hired to guide our men and
women.
Malaysia's Cabinet Committee for Sports has approved RM68 million to
develop and prepare elite athletes for the eight core sports - aquatics,
athletics, badminton, bowling, gymnastics, football, hockey and squash.
Another RM125 million has been set aside for mass sports. This is how
serious the Government is about sports.
The Government has even decided to convert its rubber research facility
in England to a High Performance Training Centre.
Malaysian athletes are a blessed lot but they are often guilty of
taking things for granted.
It is hoped that at the end of the Games on March 26, the Malaysian
contingent will return with the euphoria they raised when they won 61
gold medals at the Philippines SEA Games in December. Perhaps with less
medals but with the consolation that they were won against much tougher
opposition.
On that note, I also hope the hockey team who play India today, start
on a winning note and go on to at least match their silver medal effort
from the last Games.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) deserve a pat on the back for
having come up with the comprehensive 'Wawasan Hoki Negara' - National
Hockey Vision - to see the national team win the gold medal in Doha and
reach at least the semifinals in the World Cup in 2014 and win a Olympic
medal in 2016.
Basically, the Vision is to raise the standard and standing of the
domestic game, introduce new tournaments and restructure existing ones.
The objective is to produce consistently high-performance teams,
deliver sustained results to propel the nation to the highest sporting
glory.
MHF are among the "early birds" among the eight core sports to come up
with this programme and it shows their seriousness to repay the
Government's faith in them.
MHF created another first in 1992 when they set up the 'Yayasan Hoki
Malaysia' (Malaysian Hockey Foundation) whose aim was to award
scholarships and grant financial assistance to players, make payments
under the MHF Retirement Benefit Scheme and make welfare contributions.
Up until 2004, 31 ex-national players had benefited from the retirement
scheme while 22 players had the opportunity to further their studies at
the tertiary level.
If more sports associations follow MHF's footsteps, it would only be a
matter of time before Malaysian sports raises itself to the highest
pedestals in world sports.
Date : 17/03/2006
Headline : Nothing less than the best will do
MALAYSIA'S Melbourne Commonwealth Games campaign started with a bang
yesterday with Mohd Faisal Baharom lifting the nation's first of the
targeted 11 gold medals in the 56kg category yesterday.
Gold is great but our athletes must also realise there are loftier
goals they should strive for - personal bests and even Games records, for
instance.
Raising the bar should help motivate our sportsmen to rise to greater
heights and be recognised internationally.
Athletes from the elite AsiaComm 2006 project and the Gemilang 2006
programme have a lot at stake.
The AsiaComm squad comprises 145 of the nation's best athletes who are
expected to win medals at the Commonwealth Games and the Doha Asian Games
in December, while the Gemilang 2006 squad comprises mainly back-up
athletes.
The Games in Melbourne, with a strong international field competing,
serves as a timely check on the progress of these athletes.
While badminton and squash players have been busy with international
assignments since the beginning of the year, Melbourne is the first major
meet for many others.
Much money has been invested in these athletes and it is their duty to
prove they are heading in the right direction.
While the athletes will be watched closely, we should also keep tabs on
the coaches, especially the many foreigners hired to guide our men and
women.
Malaysia's Cabinet Committee for Sports has approved RM68 million to
develop and prepare elite athletes for the eight core sports - aquatics,
athletics, badminton, bowling, gymnastics, football, hockey and squash.
Another RM125 million has been set aside for mass sports. This is how
serious the Government is about sports.
The Government has even decided to convert its rubber research facility
in England to a High Performance Training Centre.
Malaysian athletes are a blessed lot but they are often guilty of
taking things for granted.
It is hoped that at the end of the Games on March 26, the Malaysian
contingent will return with the euphoria they raised when they won 61
gold medals at the Philippines SEA Games in December. Perhaps with less
medals but with the consolation that they were won against much tougher
opposition.
On that note, I also hope the hockey team who play India today, start
on a winning note and go on to at least match their silver medal effort
from the last Games.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) deserve a pat on the back for
having come up with the comprehensive 'Wawasan Hoki Negara' - National
Hockey Vision - to see the national team win the gold medal in Doha and
reach at least the semifinals in the World Cup in 2014 and win a Olympic
medal in 2016.
Basically, the Vision is to raise the standard and standing of the
domestic game, introduce new tournaments and restructure existing ones.
The objective is to produce consistently high-performance teams,
deliver sustained results to propel the nation to the highest sporting
glory.
MHF are among the "early birds" among the eight core sports to come up
with this programme and it shows their seriousness to repay the
Government's faith in them.
MHF created another first in 1992 when they set up the 'Yayasan Hoki
Malaysia' (Malaysian Hockey Foundation) whose aim was to award
scholarships and grant financial assistance to players, make payments
under the MHF Retirement Benefit Scheme and make welfare contributions.
Up until 2004, 31 ex-national players had benefited from the retirement
scheme while 22 players had the opportunity to further their studies at
the tertiary level.
If more sports associations follow MHF's footsteps, it would only be a
matter of time before Malaysian sports raises itself to the highest
pedestals in world sports.
MALAYSIA'S Melbourne Commonwealth Games campaign started with a bang
yesterday with Mohd Faisal Baharom lifting the nation's first of the
targeted 11 gold medals in the 56kg category yesterday.
Gold is great but our athletes must also realise there are loftier
goals they should strive for - personal bests and even Games records, for
instance.
Raising the bar should help motivate our sportsmen to rise to greater
heights and be recognised internationally.
Athletes from the elite AsiaComm 2006 project and the Gemilang 2006
programme have a lot at stake.
The AsiaComm squad comprises 145 of the nation's best athletes who are
expected to win medals at the Commonwealth Games and the Doha Asian Games
in December, while the Gemilang 2006 squad comprises mainly back-up
athletes.
The Games in Melbourne, with a strong international field competing,
serves as a timely check on the progress of these athletes.
While badminton and squash players have been busy with international
assignments since the beginning of the year, Melbourne is the first major
meet for many others.
Much money has been invested in these athletes and it is their duty to
prove they are heading in the right direction.
While the athletes will be watched closely, we should also keep tabs on
the coaches, especially the many foreigners hired to guide our men and
women.
Malaysia's Cabinet Committee for Sports has approved RM68 million to
develop and prepare elite athletes for the eight core sports - aquatics,
athletics, badminton, bowling, gymnastics, football, hockey and squash.
Another RM125 million has been set aside for mass sports. This is how
serious the Government is about sports.
The Government has even decided to convert its rubber research facility
in England to a High Performance Training Centre.
Malaysian athletes are a blessed lot but they are often guilty of
taking things for granted.
It is hoped that at the end of the Games on March 26, the Malaysian
contingent will return with the euphoria they raised when they won 61
gold medals at the Philippines SEA Games in December. Perhaps with less
medals but with the consolation that they were won against much tougher
opposition.
On that note, I also hope the hockey team who play India today, start
on a winning note and go on to at least match their silver medal effort
from the last Games.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) deserve a pat on the back for
having come up with the comprehensive 'Wawasan Hoki Negara' - National
Hockey Vision - to see the national team win the gold medal in Doha and
reach at least the semifinals in the World Cup in 2014 and win a Olympic
medal in 2016.
Basically, the Vision is to raise the standard and standing of the
domestic game, introduce new tournaments and restructure existing ones.
The objective is to produce consistently high-performance teams,
deliver sustained results to propel the nation to the highest sporting
glory.
MHF are among the "early birds" among the eight core sports to come up
with this programme and it shows their seriousness to repay the
Government's faith in them.
MHF created another first in 1992 when they set up the 'Yayasan Hoki
Malaysia' (Malaysian Hockey Foundation) whose aim was to award
scholarships and grant financial assistance to players, make payments
under the MHF Retirement Benefit Scheme and make welfare contributions.
Up until 2004, 31 ex-national players had benefited from the retirement
scheme while 22 players had the opportunity to further their studies at
the tertiary level.
If more sports associations follow MHF's footsteps, it would only be a
matter of time before Malaysian sports raises itself to the highest
pedestals in world sports.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Ensuring fair play in decision-making (10/03/2006 - The Malay Mail)
Publication : MM
Date : 10/03/2006
Headline : Ensuring fair play in decision-making
THE brainstorming session to determine the format of the future M-League
in Kuching last Monday threw up a mixed pot of good suggestions and
alarming ones.
The first such meeting involving all States, the Police, Armed Forces
and a couple of clubs, was held to discuss an important issue - the
future of Malaysian soccer. It could have been done with better input.
All the State FAs sent their secretaries, except Perak FA, who did not
have a representative, as they were having their elections that weekend
and had not named their secretary yet. Still, Perak could have sent
coach-cum-team manager Steve Darby.
While it was good to have the secretaries present, it would have been
better if the technical officials - coaches - had attended to give a more
balanced opinion as any change in format would involve the players.
As it turned out, the only such person was FA of Malaysia's (FAM)
technical director, Robert Alberts, who shared his views with one of the
three groups which were asked to discuss and present their proposals.
More often than not, however, Robert was lost in the discussion when
Bahasa Malaysia was used. He managed to get the gist of it as points were
jotted in English on a whiteboard.
Clubs, slowly but surely making an impact in the League despite being
considered "infants", surprisingly went to Kuching on their own, while
FAM - with the assistance of hosts Sarawak FA - took care of the State
FAs' trip.
FAM's hands were technically tied as they could not deal directly with
clubs and had hoped the State FAs would help the clubs on the matter.
But it was not to be and only two clubs made the trip - Malacca Telekom
and MPPJ.
Several alarming suggestions were made at the brainstorming session.
One of these was to have a separate league for State FAs, the Police and
Armed Forces (FAM affiliates), and another for clubs. This means barring
clubs from the "big league" despite some of them having earned their
spots on merit.
Another alarming suggestion was that there should be no promotion or
demotion in the State and Club leagues. This clearly showed that the
States wanted to remain in the top League, without worrying about the
quality.
Which league in the world does not have a promotion-and-demotion policy?
State FAs were receptive to the suggestion of a performance-based
subsidy from FAM to keep their league competitive.
Another sore point was a suggestion to combine the Youth (Under-19) and
President's Cup (Under-21) into one league for the youth.
Already, there is not enough work being done at youth level. This
proposal suggests that State FAs want to work even less with youngsters.
This is not how the system should work, especially with the poor soccer
standard in the country, where there are hardly any concerted efforts to
have a good development programme.
The FAM Local Competitions Committee, headed by Datuk Raja Ahmad
Zainuddin Omar (left) who put off deciding on the proposals made in
Kuching on Tuesday, will have a day-long session next week.
They will scrutinise the proposals again before deciding on the ones to
be forwarded to the FAM Council for endorsement.
It is still not too late to seek coaches' opinions on the proposals,
where they can be invited for the meeting so that a more balanced view
can be obtained, before a final decision is made.
It is very important that decisions should be made for the development
of the game and not for individual gain or selfish reasons.
Any team, be it a club or State side, who can contribute to raising the
standards of the game, should be given equal opportunities to compete at
the highest level.
Fairness should be the priority in making decisions and not the
fulfilment of some hidden agendas.
Date : 10/03/2006
Headline : Ensuring fair play in decision-making
THE brainstorming session to determine the format of the future M-League
in Kuching last Monday threw up a mixed pot of good suggestions and
alarming ones.
The first such meeting involving all States, the Police, Armed Forces
and a couple of clubs, was held to discuss an important issue - the
future of Malaysian soccer. It could have been done with better input.
All the State FAs sent their secretaries, except Perak FA, who did not
have a representative, as they were having their elections that weekend
and had not named their secretary yet. Still, Perak could have sent
coach-cum-team manager Steve Darby.
While it was good to have the secretaries present, it would have been
better if the technical officials - coaches - had attended to give a more
balanced opinion as any change in format would involve the players.
As it turned out, the only such person was FA of Malaysia's (FAM)
technical director, Robert Alberts, who shared his views with one of the
three groups which were asked to discuss and present their proposals.
More often than not, however, Robert was lost in the discussion when
Bahasa Malaysia was used. He managed to get the gist of it as points were
jotted in English on a whiteboard.
Clubs, slowly but surely making an impact in the League despite being
considered "infants", surprisingly went to Kuching on their own, while
FAM - with the assistance of hosts Sarawak FA - took care of the State
FAs' trip.
FAM's hands were technically tied as they could not deal directly with
clubs and had hoped the State FAs would help the clubs on the matter.
But it was not to be and only two clubs made the trip - Malacca Telekom
and MPPJ.
Several alarming suggestions were made at the brainstorming session.
One of these was to have a separate league for State FAs, the Police and
Armed Forces (FAM affiliates), and another for clubs. This means barring
clubs from the "big league" despite some of them having earned their
spots on merit.
Another alarming suggestion was that there should be no promotion or
demotion in the State and Club leagues. This clearly showed that the
States wanted to remain in the top League, without worrying about the
quality.
Which league in the world does not have a promotion-and-demotion policy?
State FAs were receptive to the suggestion of a performance-based
subsidy from FAM to keep their league competitive.
Another sore point was a suggestion to combine the Youth (Under-19) and
President's Cup (Under-21) into one league for the youth.
Already, there is not enough work being done at youth level. This
proposal suggests that State FAs want to work even less with youngsters.
This is not how the system should work, especially with the poor soccer
standard in the country, where there are hardly any concerted efforts to
have a good development programme.
The FAM Local Competitions Committee, headed by Datuk Raja Ahmad
Zainuddin Omar (left) who put off deciding on the proposals made in
Kuching on Tuesday, will have a day-long session next week.
They will scrutinise the proposals again before deciding on the ones to
be forwarded to the FAM Council for endorsement.
It is still not too late to seek coaches' opinions on the proposals,
where they can be invited for the meeting so that a more balanced view
can be obtained, before a final decision is made.
It is very important that decisions should be made for the development
of the game and not for individual gain or selfish reasons.
Any team, be it a club or State side, who can contribute to raising the
standards of the game, should be given equal opportunities to compete at
the highest level.
Fairness should be the priority in making decisions and not the
fulfilment of some hidden agendas.
Saturday, March 4, 2006
Ensuring a truly pro league (03/03/2006 - The Malay Mail)
Publication : MM
Date : 03/03/2006
Headline : Ensuring a truly pro league
THE M-League format is going to see yet another change. A brainstorming
session to discuss this will be held in Kuching on Monday.
The session, which will be attended by State FAs, club representatives
and media sports editors and senior soccer writers, will chart the future
of Malaysian soccer.
It is hoped that this time around, whatever decision are taken, will
finally see the M-League stand on firm ground and become a permanent
feature of Malaysian soccer.
For far too long, the format of the M-League has kept changing. It does
not have an identity or character.
Worst of all, the formats have not helped in the development of
Malaysian soccer or the league.
The current format was introduced just two years ago with a top-flight
Super League comprising eight teams and the second-tier Premier League
with 16 sides playing in two groups of eight each.
Each team plays three matches iinstead of the home-and-away two-match
fixture.
No doubt the Malaysia Cup, formerly known as the Malaya Cup which dates
back to 1921, has the richness, colour and drama of a great competition,
going through changes over the years. It still stands out in Malaysian
soccer.
Malaysian soccer's real attempt to go professional began in 1989 when
the Semi-Pro League was launched.
The inaugural Pro-League was introduced in 1994 with a one-tier format.
But somehow, the dreams of seeing a successful Pro League established
while helping to raise the standard of soccer in the country, which was
definitely higher when the game was played on an amateur level, have
fallen short despite numerous attempts by the FA of Malaysia (FAM).
Thus, it is very important the FAM competitions committee - headed by
Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin (top) - conducting the brainstorming in
Kuching, have an open mind to suggestions, criticisms and adopt the
format which has the best interests of Malaysian soccer at heart, and not
because it will please some quarters.
Although a change in format has been scheduled for 2008, there is every
indication a change will be implemented next season.
This is because Malaysia will be hosting the Asian Cup, which will take
up 13 weeks of the M-League by the national team's preparations and the
competition itself.
FAM made a very good move in having the M-League played over two years,
instead of one for the latest season, which began last year and
continuing this year.
Indications are this trend will be repeated in the coming season, but
with modifications.
One of these changes is to run the league based on the international
governing body FIFA's calendar, which is for a four-year period, ensuring
the national team will be better prepared for international assignments.
This would mean the decision-makers on Monday, will have to be very
open-minded on a very touchy issue where the league will probably have to
be played during the fasting month.
All these years, the league has always taken a break during the fasting
month and this is one of the reasons why the national team's preparations
have been hampered because of a cramped season.
With the introduction of the two-year season, playing through the
fasting month and working in collaboration with FIFA, the M-League will
be better managed and organised.
And the three matches each team play one another, is certainly a no-no.
It would be wiser to increase the number of teams in the Super League
to probably 12, and have only 12 teams in the Premier League playing on a
home-and-away basis.
Hopefully, the postponement of matches will be a thing of the past too.
Last season, a total of 324 matches were postponed and this year, the
figure is expected to increase even further.
This is because effective tomorrow, Premier League matches on Sundays
will be played on Saturdays together with the Super League or on Fridays
with FAM Cup matches, leaving Sunday as a rest day.
While the media were informed of postponed matches in the past, matches
have been put off more often this season without reporters being notified.
Positive things should come out of the meeting on Monday, provided all
the representatives think rationally with the interest of seeing a truly
professional league by all counts, and not just by name.
Date : 03/03/2006
Headline : Ensuring a truly pro league
THE M-League format is going to see yet another change. A brainstorming
session to discuss this will be held in Kuching on Monday.
The session, which will be attended by State FAs, club representatives
and media sports editors and senior soccer writers, will chart the future
of Malaysian soccer.
It is hoped that this time around, whatever decision are taken, will
finally see the M-League stand on firm ground and become a permanent
feature of Malaysian soccer.
For far too long, the format of the M-League has kept changing. It does
not have an identity or character.
Worst of all, the formats have not helped in the development of
Malaysian soccer or the league.
The current format was introduced just two years ago with a top-flight
Super League comprising eight teams and the second-tier Premier League
with 16 sides playing in two groups of eight each.
Each team plays three matches iinstead of the home-and-away two-match
fixture.
No doubt the Malaysia Cup, formerly known as the Malaya Cup which dates
back to 1921, has the richness, colour and drama of a great competition,
going through changes over the years. It still stands out in Malaysian
soccer.
Malaysian soccer's real attempt to go professional began in 1989 when
the Semi-Pro League was launched.
The inaugural Pro-League was introduced in 1994 with a one-tier format.
But somehow, the dreams of seeing a successful Pro League established
while helping to raise the standard of soccer in the country, which was
definitely higher when the game was played on an amateur level, have
fallen short despite numerous attempts by the FA of Malaysia (FAM).
Thus, it is very important the FAM competitions committee - headed by
Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin (top) - conducting the brainstorming in
Kuching, have an open mind to suggestions, criticisms and adopt the
format which has the best interests of Malaysian soccer at heart, and not
because it will please some quarters.
Although a change in format has been scheduled for 2008, there is every
indication a change will be implemented next season.
This is because Malaysia will be hosting the Asian Cup, which will take
up 13 weeks of the M-League by the national team's preparations and the
competition itself.
FAM made a very good move in having the M-League played over two years,
instead of one for the latest season, which began last year and
continuing this year.
Indications are this trend will be repeated in the coming season, but
with modifications.
One of these changes is to run the league based on the international
governing body FIFA's calendar, which is for a four-year period, ensuring
the national team will be better prepared for international assignments.
This would mean the decision-makers on Monday, will have to be very
open-minded on a very touchy issue where the league will probably have to
be played during the fasting month.
All these years, the league has always taken a break during the fasting
month and this is one of the reasons why the national team's preparations
have been hampered because of a cramped season.
With the introduction of the two-year season, playing through the
fasting month and working in collaboration with FIFA, the M-League will
be better managed and organised.
And the three matches each team play one another, is certainly a no-no.
It would be wiser to increase the number of teams in the Super League
to probably 12, and have only 12 teams in the Premier League playing on a
home-and-away basis.
Hopefully, the postponement of matches will be a thing of the past too.
Last season, a total of 324 matches were postponed and this year, the
figure is expected to increase even further.
This is because effective tomorrow, Premier League matches on Sundays
will be played on Saturdays together with the Super League or on Fridays
with FAM Cup matches, leaving Sunday as a rest day.
While the media were informed of postponed matches in the past, matches
have been put off more often this season without reporters being notified.
Positive things should come out of the meeting on Monday, provided all
the representatives think rationally with the interest of seeing a truly
professional league by all counts, and not just by name.
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