Walking on thin ice

Latest development: Read SS Dhaliwal's Malaysian Sports latest posting here

Malaysian sports is unique, as it is heavily funded by the Government.

Yes, other countries like Britain, Australia, Scotland and many other countries also get Government funding, but it is basically for facilities, to host events (ie Olympic, Commonwealth Games), training of elite athletes and for community sports.

Training centres with facilities for various sports are setup and national associations of the various sports are given the opportunity to use them as their centre of excellence to train their respective athletes.

But in Malaysia, Government aid is almost from A to Z. The government does not stop at just providing facilities, financial aid to host events and elite training, but they virtually pay athletes to train full time, reward them handsomely for achievements, have back-up squads for various sports under the National Sports Council, hire coaches and consultants, give financial aid for programmes and events organised by the various sports associations, overseas stints and the list goes on.

Indeed Malaysian sports is the envy of other countries.

But only if the returns for all the money spent by the Government was justifiable, it will make sense with all the support.

To make matters worse, athletes and associations take for granted the aid from the Government and have come to think it is their right to get the aid.

The spoon-fed or dole mentality, has certainly done no good for Malaysian sports. In fact, it has bred complacency among athletes and associations. In short, it is the reason for the ills of Malaysian sports.

I am certainly not against Government support towards to sports. I applaud the Government for taking such a keen interest in sports.

However, there has to be accountability and with Malaysia still trying to win their first ever Olympic gold medal, I wonder how much more does the Government need to spend before Malaysia win's that elusive gold medal at the Olympics, world athletics meet or qualify for the soccer or hockey World Cup?

A sum of RM984 million was allocated from the 2008 budget to implement various youth and sports development programmes, including Rakan Muda programmes.

To further encourage sports among Malaysians a sum of RM 217 million was allocated to finance sports-related projects, including maintenance and upgrading of state and community sports complexes and facilities.

The State-of-the-art sports facilities of Malaysia - National Stadium Complex, Shah Alam Stadium and Sepang F1 Racing Circuit among them.

In England, Sport England is focused on the creation of a world-leading community sport system.

Sports England invest National Lottery and Exchequer funding in organisations and projects that will grow and sustain participation in grassroots sports and create opportunities for people to excel as their chosen sport.

Sport England also work in partnership with UK sport, which has responsibility for elite success, and the Youth Trust Fund, which is focused on PE and school sport.

Sport England has set specific and measurable targets to achieve by 2012/13:

* One million people doing more sport
* A 25% reduction in the number of 16 to 18 year-old who drop out at least five key sports.
*Improved talent development systems in at least 25 sports
*A measurable increase in people's satisfaction with their experience of sport
*A major contribution to the delivery of the five hour sports for children and young people

In Australia after a review into government funding of elite sports has ignored Olympic officials' calls for a bigger budget and recommended extra funding to be linked to performance targets.

It also recommended the federal government negotiate with the states for a share of lottery revenues for sports funding and that athletes donate "time and expertise" to local sports as payback for receiving government funding. (Read here)

It was indeed a wise decision by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to reject out-write some efforts made to bid for the Olympic Games.

It not only saved billions in the bid, but the embarrassment of being just being a good host but without world class athletes to stamp their authority, if ever Malaysia won the bid.

Elsewhere, the Government giving RM1.5 million to the Malaysian Professionals Golfers Association (MPGA) towards starting a golf academy and kick-start at least 12 tournaments next year, is alarming.

Will the Sports Ministry to give funds to other associations if they run into problems with the management of their associations? Is there a trend set here.

Will MPGA now be dictated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports?

And the recent political interference to oust the incumbent Perak FA president, who is from a different political party and money being paid to settle players' salaries arrears by individuals without the endorsement of the Perak FA to the FA of Malaysia, is also alarming.

With political and government involvement in sports, they could well be treading a thin line between assistance and interference.

International Olympic Council and FIFA have strict rules about political and government interferences and the last thing Malaysian sports need is to be hauled up by the international authorities.

While IOC and International bodies for respective sports welcome government assistance to promote sports, they are very particular of governments or political interference in dictating the sports organisations on how to run their associations or placing government or political personnel in the associations to monitor or run the association.

Malaysian sports is indeed enjoying the Government support and it has benefited the sports tremendously, but they have to take a cautious stand on their involvement and the manner they support.

At the same time, it is about time for associations to try and stand on their own two feet with a professional setup and manage their associations like a business to get the desired results in the respective sports.

For the love of Malaysian sports, let us all get our act right and put ourselves on the right path to excellence.

Santokh responding to treatment

Former international defender Santokh Singh is responding to treatment and is semi-conscious.

He is still in the ICU.

While earlier it was said that he went into a coma after having suffered fits, it has been clarified now that he was actually sedated to address the viral infection.

The dosages for sedation has now been reduced and he is responding.

The doctors have advised that Santokh needs complete rest and he should not be disturbed.

Family members are indeed grateful that friends have been coming to visit him, but have now requested that Santokh be given some private time to recover.

Let us continue to pray for Santokh for his speedy recovery.

Warning on the walls of FAM 14 years ago!

FA of Malaysia have finally decided to crack the whips on their affiliates for the new season, with many expected to be left out because of their financial woes.

14 years ago, I had written about the flaws with State FAs and warned the consequences (read here) under the heading : Time to crack the whip, FAM. It appeared in the Valley Voice column in The Malay Mail dated 4th Oct 1995.

Probably better late then never, but with the writings on the wall, and did FA of Malaysia have to wait for 14 years before acting?

And we wonder, why our national team is not doing well.

We cannot correct the ills of Malaysian soccer which backdates to at least two decades, overnight.

There is calls again for the change of leadership in FA of Malaysia.

But seriously, the rot is all the way down to the affiliates.

Can we call for a total revamp and change the entire leadership of Malaysian soccer starting from roots?

Probably too much to ask and not a reality.

But putting out some teams from the new season, could possibly be an answer the State FAs to mend their ways and act and run like a professional outfit.

Malaysian soccer went professional 14 years ago, but in majority of the State FAs, there is nothing that suggests that they are a professional outfit, except being big spenders.

We went semi-professional 21 years ago and Malaysian soccer should have reached adulthood today, but we are still very much in our infancy stage!

Will Malaysian soccer ever be revived again?

There is some hope with the national Under-23 team under coach K. Rajagobal. But my worry is what will happen after the Laos Sea Games.

It is going to be an uphill task to make the semifinals drawn in a tough group with the likes of Thailand, gold medalists in the last eight editions, Vietnam, the 2003 and 2005 silver medalist, Cambodia and Timor Leste.

Should Malaysia beat Timor Leste and Cambodia, they will have a realistic chance of making the semifinals if they can beat or draw against Vietnam. But if Malaysia fail to collect full points against Cambodia or Timor Leste, they can pack their bags and return home.

But whatever happens, the squad cannot be blamed if they fail, but the system.

Something good is happening with this team, and unless there is a long term plan, the true potential of this team will not be realised.

The million ringgit question is whether, we are willing to be patient and wait for the results to come, or we are going to call for the team to be disbanded after their Laos outing.

We have disbanded many teams in the past and yet we have not seen any anything better.

Let us not make the same mistake again, as finally something concrete is done to weed out the non-performers at the State level.

Malaysian soccer have once too often started something today and expected results yesterday!

Lets us start afresh once and for all and have a long term plan and stop hoping for a miracle to happen.

Malaysian soccer needs to see everything in place and right, starting from the grassroots - development programmes, schools soccer and leagues at States and districts level.

Results is going to take time and only patience and diligence, will bear fruits in time to come.

If we are going to continue with short term plans or stop gap measures, we are going to continue to fall flat over and over.

It is going to be a tedious process, because we have been left far behind, by even Thailand. But that is the only way to revive Malaysian soccer and there is no shortcuts!

Political interference in Perak FA?

There is strong indication that the hidden hand trying to make changes in the Perak FA, is politically driven.

Of late there has been strong manoeuvrings to oust incumbent president, Datuk Seri Ir Mohd Nizar Jamuludin and using the RM 5 million debt the Perak FA have, as an excuse of his inability to settle the debts.

And now with FA of Malaysia's ruling that if Perak FA does not settle wages of the players and coaches, and pay up EPF outstanding dues, they will not be allowed to compete in the new season, it has given the "hidden hands" even more reason to press for Mohd Nizar's removal.

But the irony is that the State Government have come out to say that they are prepared to help Perak FA settle their debts, but with a condition - that the President is replaced.

Should it matter who the president is, if the Perak Government sincerely wants to help Perak FA in the interest of the game and fans.

Obviously, once again it points to the direction of a political agenda.

But the truth of the matter is that Nizar cannot be blamed for the RM5 million debt because it is accumulated debt from previous management from 2006 to 2008.

Nizar, credit to him , has settled all dues for this season and despite not being the Mentri Besar of late, he has still continued to support the PFA financially to keep them debt free for this season.

He has also worked out a plan to settle outstanding EPF payments and had gone to see FA of Malaysia secretary-general, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad recently to facilitate Perak's inclusion for the new season.

Initially, there was a move to get State Exco for Sports, Zainol Fadzi, to take over as president after a pending EGM to cast a no confidence of vote against Nizar.

Then, the wind shifted to senior vice-president Datuk Seri Abdullah Hishan, who is also the president of Taiping FA, coaxing him to take over as president.

But with no response coming from Abdullah Hishan, known for righteousness, the wind has again shifted back to Zainol to name him as the new president, if the EGM materialise.

It is reliably learnt that if an EGM is forced through, there is a strong chance that Abdullah Hishan, will resign and could be calling a press conference to make his stand.

It is learnt that the majority of the 15 districts and three communal associations are in favour for Nizar to stay on for they are pleased with the way he has run the association so far, especially with a very fair representation in the Exco where multi-racial composition is in place and there has been no discrimination over political party allegiance.

But an Exco member, who is eying for the one of the vice-president's post in the new lineup, has taken upon himself to settle subscription dues of all the affiliates, in order to gain their support for the EGM.

Should the EGM proceed and Nizar is ousted, Perak FA could be putting FA of Malaysia in hot soup. It only takes a letter from Nizar to FIFA to say that he was removed from his seat because of political differences, could see FA of Malaysia hauled up by FIFA.

But it is unlikely that FA of Malaysia will intervene in the internal affairs of Perak FA. However, if FA of Malaysia does not take a proactive role in this matter, they could be the ones facing the wrath in the end.

Further evidence that it is indeed a political move to oust Nizar is that fact that the Perak FA BGM is scheduled for next year and with just more than a month before a formal elections can be held for the affiliates to make a change of leadership - if that is what they really believe right for Perak FA - one wonders why the necessity for an EGM!

It is indeed sad for sports that such political manoeuvrings is happening.

Maybe Perak should take a cue from Kelantan as how not to allow political differences to disrupt sports. The Kelantan FA is presided by a UMNO person - Tan Sri Annuar Musa - but the opposition ruling party chief of Kelantan, MB Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, was magnanimous in declaring a public holiday after Kelantan qualified for the Malaysia Cup after 39 years.

It was suppose to be an incentive for the people of Kelantan to travel to Bukit Jalil to support their team in the final. The Kelantan government also declared that they will bear the cost of players and officials umrah package and also provide cash incentives for making the final.

Sports will be the losers if politics is allowed to seep in and dictate the running of sports associations. The sooner the issue is resolved in the interest of sports in Perak, better for sports and sports fans.

For an inside on what is happening in Perak FA read this blog: Seladang.net

The prima donna sportswriters

There are a handful of sportswriters who are a pampered lot.

I was the media officer at the 45th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup at the Melaka International Bowling Centre (MIBC) last week, and was taken to task by two national media for being different to them during the championship.

While I am prepared to be taken to task if I was inefficient and did not carry out my duties as expected, I will not stand reporters who get personal and take a dig at me for the kicks.

I have covered four Bowling World Cups overseas and let me assure you that the media facilities were minimum and we had to make do with whatever the host could provide.

Agreed that media facilities should be No 1 priority on the list for any organiser of an event.

But sometimes because of space constraints and technical demands of certain games, there is a possibility that the media will not get a hall for their media room!

I was at MIBC two months before the championship and told the organisers that a huge room will be required as the foreign media for bowling is fairly big and together with the local press (print and electronics), we get a fairly large crowd.

I was shown a room which was definitely big enough.

But at the eleventh hour because of live television coverage for the semifinals and final besides the daily coverage, the electronic media required a television room where they had to set up lights and camera.

Thus, the room initially which was suppose to be the media room was converted into a television cum press conference room. The room was also shared by QubicaAMF tournament personnel.

The media room was then a room overlooking the lanes in the bowling centre which could cater for about 20.

There were about 12 foreign media including the Media Officer from QubicaAMF who all arrived a day before the unofficial practice began on Nov 13 and took up their places.

There was still room for eight more local personnel and I was told that many of the print media were sending their local (Melaka) based reporters and photographers for the event and that they were returning to their offices to file their stories.

None of the local media had applied for the media accreditation which was sent out to all through the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) more than a month before the competition and had failed to meet the deadline to submit their completed forms. This failed to give any indications as to how many local media we were expecting.

Even phone calls to the local media failed to get a confirmation on their intend to cover the event.

Nevertheless, I had ample passes ready for any local press who wanted to cover the event and also space for working area on stand-by.

Both the reporters who had taken me to task also did not apply for the media passes.

I had been at the venue one week before the championship began and sent back press releases to all media on the updates of the tournament.

Both the said reporters only arrived in Melaka on Monday afternoon - when the tournament was well underway - and I duly got them registered and gave them the passes.

Immediately, the reporter from the English national daily said that the media room was cramped up despite having a seat to work.

He suggested that I put some tables just outside the media room so that there is more space.

I immediately told him that I will definitely accommodate his request, but he should not later accuse me of placing him outside the media room. He said he had no issues and I immediately made arrangements to have two long tables with seats for about ten and had extension sockets all laid for their computers. I marked the area for Malaysian Media Use Only.

But the next morning, the said reporter was still working inside the media room and when asked him why he was not using the tables, he simply replied: "There is no security outside. I cannot leave my laptops out there."

There were already other local media using this area outside the media room.

I told him either I can station a guard there to take care of his things or he could leave his belongings in the Media Room and only use the table outside to type his story.

The entire MIBC had WiFi and the issue of cable lines outside the Media Room did not arise. They could send their stories from anywhere in the building, including the Kopitiam restaurant.

In contrast The Star reporter, Shamsul Fitri from Kuala Lumpur and cameraman, A. Malek Yahaya and a few Melaka based media men had arrived early and had no problems working from the Media Room. And they, together with the foreign media would arrive well before the first ball is thrown for the day, unlike some who came late afternoon to begin their work.

With the exception of Malek, many of the other local based cameramen were not familiar with photography for bowling championships and had complained that they were not allowed to take shots from the passage at the end of the lanes to take frontal shots of bowlers.

In bowling, the only time photographers are seated in front of the bowlers and on the unused lanes, is for the semifinals and final where they are seated at the end of the lane, they cannot move until the game is over.

Bowlers are easily distracted when they see movements in front of them and it is for this reason that photographers are not allowed to take shots while they are bowling.

But during the unofficial and official practice session, photographers are allowed to take frontal photos and these are the photos which are normally used during the championship,

However, photographers are allowed to take photos from anywhere behind the bowlers but they are only not allowed to use flashes.

We made an exception for the photographers this time around, when I spoke with the tournament director, Bernard Gibbons, to request if it was alright for me to remove eight inches of tint from the glass overlooking the lanes from inside the Corporate office of MIBC - which was almost at the end of the lanes - so that the photographers can take photos from inside.

Bernard after checking out the request gave the greenlight and tint was duly removed.

The organisers even had provided breakfast, lunch, tea-break and dinner for all Media personnel.

Having accommodated both print and electronic media to the best, I was indeed surprised when the two reporters still took me to task on Wednesday with the tournament well underway.

This was when the organisers decided to move out the MIBC corporate office and give the two reporters a work-station with their names printed and placed on the desk!

We also converted the corporate office solely for Malaysian press. While many of the local media still continued to work in the official Media Room, this corporate office was used by the two reporters and members of the television station.

I have spent 27 years being a sports journalist and have covered both local and international events. Yes, we have expressed dissatisfaction over media facilities, but that was when there no area provided or no telephone lines.

We have filled in stories from coffee-shops or any little space we had. Our priority was to file the stories no matter what discomfort or hardship we had to go through. We did not except luxury or VIP treatment. At worst, when we did not have areas to file our stories, we would return to our hotels and file them.

Back then, we did not have the luxury of laptops. We used to send stories through teleprinters and had to type our own ribbon. When computers were first introduced, we had to use phone lines to send stories and carried the cumbersome phone cupping for the phone to be placed and send out stories.

Today's age of WiFi is a luxury.

I just wonder if these two reporters were sent to cover a war or flood, would they were still be asking for a work-station with reclining chairs in an air-conditioned room?

Again I stress that times have changed and media facilities are priorities of any organiser.

But sometimes, a little understanding from the media will certainly be greatly appreciated, especially when media officers are trying their level best to address any shortcomings.

To take a dig at them in the media despite their effort, is indeed uncalled for and childish.

There is always an avenue to address problems by taking to media officer or the organisers, and if that is exhausted, the media has every right to take anyone to task. But not when one is trying his level best to address the situation.

Maybe the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) should educate their members and their limits to their demands. The problem is not every sportswriter is member of SAM. One of the reporters who had thrown a fuss of the Media Centre in MIBC is not a member.

Lastly, there are many media officers doing freelance and event and media management companies being hired to handle the media. If reporters take them to task at their whims and fancy without any solid rhyme or reason, it is going to jeopardise their livelihood.

Is this fair? These pampered reporters indeed need to be more sensitive or is it too much to ask?

Santokh Singh in ICU

Former soccer international Santokh Singh, a household name, is in Intensive Care Unit at the KL Hospital.

The 57-year-old Santokh was rushed to hospital on Monday by his wife, when he suffered fits at home in Setapak.

It is believed that it is a viral attack and all efforts are being made to get him out of his current coma condition.

Santokh quit playing for Selangor in 1985 but has been actively involved in veteran matches playing for Royal Selangor Club, Selangor veterans and ex-internationals.

His most recent outing was with the Selangor Veterans who travelled to Singapore to compete in the annual Sultan Selangor Cup last month. However, Santokh who was all changed for the match, did not see action.

He was scheduled to play in the World Veteran Soccer tournament in Bangkok next month.

I last met Santokh at the International Football Club (IFC) Ruby Nines soccer tournament in Club Aman in July.

Catching up at Club Aman in July......Datuk Soh Chin Aun, Santokh, Ravindran and Yip Chee Keong.

Santokh was his usual witty, jovial and sarcastic self. He was always the centre of attraction and one occasion that day at Club Aman was when three Sikhs – Santokh, Tara Singh (South City FC) and Daljit Singh (Sentral Chapatti) broke into a conversation in fluent Tamil with Santokh holding court. And that is Santokh, he never fails spring a surprise.

Santokh hails from Setapak Hotsprings started his soccer career with the village team – Hotspurs.

Thomas Arokiam, is the man who initially played for Hotspurs with Santokh in the 70s, who went on to build this village team to produce three internationals, one youth international and one state player.

The first to do the village proud was Subramaniam who played for the national youth team.

Then, there was also T. Nallathamby, who played for Selangor Burnley Cup – Under-20 national youth tournament (now Razak Cup) in 1969 and 70 before playing for Selangor Under-23 team.

But it was Santokh who raised the profile of the village when was the he played for Selangor in the Burnely Cup – a Under-20 national youth tournament (now Razak Cup) in 1971 before Datuk Ghani Minhat picked up burly defender to play for Selangor in 1972 and don national colours the same year.

He won nine Malaysia Cup winners medals from 1972 to 1985 including skippering the team to victory.

Recently, when Rajagobal was named as the national coach, the villagers headed by Thomas organised a dinner for him where Santokh was present too.

Santokh was asked to give a speech at the dinner, and he not only congratulated Rajagobal, but said that he had faith in the latter to change the Malaysian soccer fortunes.

“It really touched me when Santokh said that and I promised him that I will do my level best,” said Rajagobal who had the honour to play alongside Santokh in the Selangor team.

“Santokh was the one who found me employment with PKNS when MCIS was persuading me to join them to play in the Selangor League.

“I am shocked to hear about Santokh and I am praying that he will recover soon. I am not only close to him, but his entire family, as we grew up together," said Rajagobal who was among the string of former internationals and friends who visited Santokh yesterday.

Santokh, Datuk M. Chandran, Datuk Soh Chin Aun, the late Mokhtar Dahari and late R. Arumugam who are always mentioned in the same breath are icons of Malaysian soccer.

Their era of 70s and early 80s is what Malaysian soccer fans are looking forward to witness again.

Let us pray and wish Santokh a speedy recovery.

Mean Machine Choi fittingly bags the title

45^th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup Men’s Final

Korea’s Choi Yong-Kyu who lead from day one, fittingly won the men's title this evening beating challenger Michael Schmidt from Canada in the final.

Choi, 23, who also fired the only perfect 300 in the last eight round earlier in the morning, has been the most consistent player the whole week.

The title certainly was won by the most deserving player who was like a machine on the lanes with his consistency.

The win was also Korea's first triumph in the 45 years history of the championship.

Korea made a last-minute change to their entries when their pro bowlers, Jim Seok Kong and Reyong Heui Kim could not make the trip because of their pro tournament commitments. It was then that Korean national bowlers Choi and Baek Seung-ja were named as their representative.

Choi was a member of the men's team for the World Championship in Thailand last year where he won a gold in the trios and a silver in the team event.

Schmidt, on the other hand, conceded that he lost to a better bowler.

Schmidt's failure to wrest the title also meant that Canada failed to become the second country in the history of the championship to bad a double.

Canada's Caroline Lagrange, had earlier bagged the women's title defeating England's Zara Giles.

The only other time that a country won both the men and women's title was in 1986 in Copenhagen, Denmark, when Sweden's Peter Ljung and Annette Hagre won the titles.

Men's Finals

Rnk	Bowler	Country		M1	M2	M3	Ave	Wins
1	Choi Yong-Kyu	Korea		236	227		231.50	2
2	Michael Schmidt	Canada		173	208		190.50	0

Men's Final Matches

Name	Ctry	1		2		3		4		5		6		7		8		9		10			Scr
Choi Yong-Kyu Korea		S7	2		X		X		X		X		X	9	/		X	9	/	X	X	8	236
		9		39		69		99		128		148		168		188		208
			X		X		X	8	/		X		X	9	/		X
		30		58		78		98		127		147		167
Wins																							1
Michael Schmidt Canada			X		X		X	9	/		X	S7	2	7	2		X	S8	1	S8	1		173
		30		59		79		99		118		127		136		155		164
			X	9	/		X	9	/		X	9	/		X	S7	2		X
		20		40		60		80		100		120		139		148
Wins																							0

Men's Semifinals

Rnk	Bowler	Country		M1	M2	M3	Ave	Wins
2	Michael Schmidt	Canada		202	247		224.50	2
3	Ryan Leonard Lalisang	Indonesia		180	217		198.50	0