Time to walk the talk!

It was excellent to hear Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin say that greater emphasis will be paid to schools sports, at the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100Plus 2009 Athlete of the Year Award ceremony yesterday.
All he said in his speech was relevant, a boost for schools sports. (Read here)
But some of the things he said like having teachers trained specially for sports, was also said when he first become Education Minister and DPM last year.

Funds have also been allocated sports in schools and instructions given by him, to reinstate the 11 schools sports in the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) calendar, which was earlier axed.
However, it is important for all his instructions to be carried out with immediate effect and utmost urgency.
Otherwise, he will be made to look bad by the ineffectiveness of his officers or the red-tape system which causes the delay.
It is the hoped that an officer or director, which Muhiyiddin said that will be appointed to the Arts, Sports and Co-Curriculum Division of the Education Ministry, will be the one who will play the role to ensure that all directives are carried out.

 AZIZUL'S AWARD....Selamiah Yong, the mother of cyclist Azizul Hasni Awang, holding the SAM-100PLUS Athlete of the Year trophy and mock cheque after receiving theaward from Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (right). STARPIX

Meanwhile, congratulations to cyclist Azizul Hasni Awang in being named the Athlete of the Year Award for his feat to win the 200m sprint silver medal in the World Championships in Poland and Kerrin gold in the World Cup IV in Beijing last year.
However, I was disturbed by Azizul's mother, Selamiah Yong's comment on TV3 after having received the award and RM10,000 on behalf of Azizul from the DPM.
Azizul,was unable to attend the ceremony due to his preparation in Melbourne for next month's World Championships in Copenhagen.
Puan Selamiah in her acknowledgment had said: "I am very happy for Azizul to be recognised by this award by SAM, especially so as a Malay athlete."
Whatever happened to 1Malaysia and did it matter which race the athlete who won the award was?
It is performance by an athlete as a Malaysian that matters!
Prof Dr Alex Delikan had spoken recently of Malaysian society being polarized.
Here is a clear example of that at the highest level of sports in Malaysia.
In any case, Azizul, you are a deserving winner and congrats!