Some disturbing news have been circulating for sometime now, that sports journalists and sports editors have become so powerful, that they can dictate the path of Malaysian sports, for good or bad.
Yes, sports journalists and sports editors are the watchdogs of Malaysian sports and through their comments give their views to the best of their knowledge backed with facts and figures and in the interest of Malaysian sports.
But not always are they right with their views because they are not furnished with the full facts and figures, or sports officials engage these writers to slant the article the way they want it.
There have been newspapers and sports journalist who have been openly boasting that they can chart the path of Malaysian sports and ensure that the people they want to hold high positions in sports associations and agencies is at their call.
There is also talk that some sports journalists who are on the payroll of associations or bodies. Others get benefits of other kinds - paid trips overseas, golf invitations both locally and overseas, goodies etc.
Sports journalists are said to be playing politics too!
Some even use high places to try and attempt to stop their new bosses from coming to their organisations, because their positions maybe threatened.
Then there complaints from sports organisations and privates sectors, that some sports journalists asked to be paid for them to cover their events!
Asking for petrol money to cover events is said to have become the norm.
There was another accusation that a sports journalist who was given a paid trip by an organisation to a meeting overseas, actually had voted on behalf of another country who was not present!
Whatever has happened to the good clean sports journalism we used to know.
I remember the days of the late Tan Sri Noordin Sopiee and Tan Sri Munir Majid, when they were Group Editors of the New Straits Times, that there was a standing rule that any door gifts given at press conferences - no matter how small or big - must be declared to the office in official form to be signed by the sports editor and then submitted to the Group Editor. Only with approval of the Group Editor, can the reporter keep whatever door gifts given.
These days we have journalists who do not go for Press Conferences, but when they hear from their colleagues that some expensive door gifts were given, they will call organisers of the Press Conference the next day and say that they had missed the event because of another assignment and demand for the door gift and the press kit! But whether the event sees print is a million ringgit question.
For the sake of sports journalism in Malaysia, I hope that all that is being circulated is mere rumours.
But then again, there will be no smoke without fire.
I was accused of being close to the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) when I used to cover them extensively and went to many overseas tournaments. Rumours were circulated that my trips were paid by MTBC.
But the truth of the matter was that every trip I went was approved by my company after budgets were submitted and I had to cover for both The Malay Mail and the New Straits Times.
It was just that Malay Mail saw bowling as a rising sports which will bring glory to the nation and started to give more and more coverage,before the rest started to follow when the results that coming.
There was even one official from the National Sports Council who had in a seminar blatantly mentioned me by name and accused me of being close with MTBC, bias and going on trips on MTBC's funds.
I confronted the officials and asked him to verify all my trips with my employers and asked him if he had mentioned my name, but denied it.
The crux of the matter was that all funds for MTBC's overseas tournaments were coming from NSC and MTBC had to give detailed accounts of how they spent the money. The officer could have easily checked if any funds was used for me. Obviously not and yet he had the audacity to smear my name.
But if the rumours have any truth in it these days, I wonder why everyone is keeping quiet about.
Probably, everyone has an agenda.
Indeed, if all these allegations are true, it is sad for Malaysian sports because the very people who are suppose to remain above board and be fair, have lost their integrity.
Once again, I hope that all that has been said of sports journalists these days is just rumours for the sake of Malaysian sports!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Delhi CG Organising Committee standing tall despite challenges
Having been here for two weeks now and settled down, I cannot help but sympathise with the Delhi Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, headed by chairman Suresh Kalmadi, who is also the president of the Indian Olympic Association.
The criticism hurled at them from every angle exceeds the praises or support, the OC rightly deserve.
From the media to the man in the street, they find something to pick on the OC.
I have watched two television interviews given by Kalmadi and he has been bombarded with hard-hitting questions, but credit to him, on both occasions he came off with excellent answers and putting matters into the right perspective.
The interview last night on NDTV24X7 (view here)
The OC office is working overtime, including on a Sunday, for what is hoped the last time the CGF Coordinating Committee (CoCom) will be in New Delhi to inspect on the progress and facilities in place and scheduled as required for the Games in October.
The interview last night on NDTV24X7 (view here)
The OC office is working overtime, including on a Sunday, for what is hoped the last time the CGF Coordinating Committee (CoCom) will be in New Delhi to inspect on the progress and facilities in place and scheduled as required for the Games in October.
The CoCom will be in the city on Labour Day and Kalmadi has ensured that every report and presentation is to the expectations of CoCom.
The Games has been made possible with a liberal loan worth 1600 crore rupees (1 crore is 10 million) advanced by the Government of India.This money has been given as loan which will have to repaid through sponsorships, revenue, merchandising and ticketing - thus returning all the money given on loan.
But the loan has still been an issue locally.
Many sponsors have come on board and Kalmadi has assured that there is going to be no expenses on their account to the government.
"Whatever is happening, the stadiums, the roads, metro and airport is not just for the 15 days of the Games, but that is a legacy for the city of Delhi to enjoy," Kalmadi has been quoted.
The caller claimed that the bombs will explode in DLF Mall, Select Citywalk and Metropolitan Mall in Saket. Acting fast, police evacuated people from the malls and conducted searches.
Bomb disposal team and dog squad also joined the searches.
Police too had received a series of anonymous bomb threat calls but all turned out to be hoax.
Challenging times indeed, but rest assured that the OC is doing everything within it means and more, to ensure that it will be a Games which will make it's mark and remembered for a longtime to come, for all the right reasons, despite all the critics and doubts. They are indeed on track and many of the "test tournaments" held so far has only received accolades from the respective International Federations, competing countries and the CGF top-guns themselves.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Adventure in New Delhi
It is my fifth day in New Delhi and everyday has been a learning experience.
It is really hot and in some days reaching highs of 44 Celsius. At night it drops to about 38.
The whole city is under construction in preparation for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October. As a result the dust in the city has been compounded and with no rain in sight, it is like walking in a desert.
Construction includes additional Metro Lines from the Airport and around the city, drainage, beautifying the city, widening the roads, pavements and of course several venues.
However, the work pace is furious and the organisers are very confident that everything will be in place before the Games.
With six months to go, although critics feel that the organisers are behind schedule, no stones have been left unturned to have everything ready. Without doubt there is going to be a major transformation.
The organising committee has been met with many challenges, but they are definitely addressing every situation with utmost urgency.
Operations for the Games has been ongoing for the last two years and as far as all the paperwork is concerned it is very comprehensive with all details being looked into.
It is time for implementation and they are working at feverish pace.
Both the print and electronic media have been keeping a close tab on the progress with eagle eyed vision.
And the way the many investigation television networks go about their job, there is no room for the organsiers to slack.
Several hard hitting interviews have been conducted and the top brass of the organising committee, headed by Indian Olympic Association president and chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Suresh Kalmadi, have come out well with their interviews and answers to quires.
The microscope sports administrators and politicians come under here in India, is nothing compared to in Malaysia. I just wonder how our Malaysians sports administrators and politicians will fare if they came under the same preview like in India?
It has indeed been a great five days experience I must say and am looking forward to the days and months to come, which can only get more exciting and tougher.
Till I blog again from here, do not underestimate the capabilities of India!
It is really hot and in some days reaching highs of 44 Celsius. At night it drops to about 38.
The whole city is under construction in preparation for the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in October. As a result the dust in the city has been compounded and with no rain in sight, it is like walking in a desert.
Construction includes additional Metro Lines from the Airport and around the city, drainage, beautifying the city, widening the roads, pavements and of course several venues.
However, the work pace is furious and the organisers are very confident that everything will be in place before the Games.
With six months to go, although critics feel that the organisers are behind schedule, no stones have been left unturned to have everything ready. Without doubt there is going to be a major transformation.
The organising committee has been met with many challenges, but they are definitely addressing every situation with utmost urgency.
Operations for the Games has been ongoing for the last two years and as far as all the paperwork is concerned it is very comprehensive with all details being looked into.
It is time for implementation and they are working at feverish pace.
Both the print and electronic media have been keeping a close tab on the progress with eagle eyed vision.
And the way the many investigation television networks go about their job, there is no room for the organsiers to slack.
Several hard hitting interviews have been conducted and the top brass of the organising committee, headed by Indian Olympic Association president and chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Suresh Kalmadi, have come out well with their interviews and answers to quires.
The microscope sports administrators and politicians come under here in India, is nothing compared to in Malaysia. I just wonder how our Malaysians sports administrators and politicians will fare if they came under the same preview like in India?
It has indeed been a great five days experience I must say and am looking forward to the days and months to come, which can only get more exciting and tougher.
Till I blog again from here, do not underestimate the capabilities of India!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Taking Leave
I leave this evening for New Delhi for a six months posting which will be another experience to add to my sports involvement.
I have got an appointment with the New Delhi Commonwealth Games Organising Committee as their Venue Operations Director (Media).
I am among the five Malaysians who have been selected after undergoing interviews with the Mr. V. K. Verma, Director General, Organising Committee Commonwealth Games (CWG) Delhi 2010 and consultant, Peter Stewart, conducted a few months ago.
Veteran athletics official, S. Vegiyathuman, Hon. Secretary of the Federal Territory Amateur Athletics Association, is one of the candidates selected and is already in India since last week.
Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation's secretary-general, Ramble Dallan Rice-Oxley, is the other one, whom I will be travelling together with today.
The other two are Thiagu Ponniah (Karate) and Joshua Edgar Joseph
Three candidates from Singapore were also selected.
I will be back for a week next month, as I have a prior engagement to lead the X-Mail Veteran Soccer team to the 2nd Philippines-Malaysia International Soccer Festival in Bacolod City from May 28-31.
Then, it will be back to New Delhi until the end of the Commonwealth Games in October.
I may not be able to keep in touch with the Malaysian sports issues first hand and blog about it, but I am looking forward to viewing Malaysian sports from outside Malaysia. It will probably give me a different perspective to blog about.
This will be the longest time I will be out of the country, and I am very sure I will be yearning to be back home for there is nothing like being home in Malaysia!
But circumstances, have forced me to seek employment outside Malaysia and I am looking at it in a very positive manner.
I will also, time permitting, blogging about the preparations in New Delhi for the Commonwealth Games and also any other interesting happenings there.
I can be reached through my blog, my email: tmdass@gmail.com or Facebook.
Till my next posting from New Delhi, here's hoping that Malaysian sports will take turn for the better. It may be wishful thinking, but it is no secret that Malaysia spends a great deal of money on sports and there is no doubt that there is talent and future for Malaysian sports, provided that it is executed, managed and indulged in the utmost professional manner.
Parents up in arms
Parents are up in arms again with the way things are being conducted at schools and even at the national level.
Many are still questioning the 1 Student 1 Sports policy and how effective it is going to be when the infrastructure for sports in schools is not in place or is in shambles.
Others are still not happy with the way things are being organised at the schools level despite the Under-15 category for several sports being reinstated after Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin the Deputy Minister, who is also the Education Minister, stepped in.
Another parent has taken a National Association for their selection process.
Then we have State Schools Sports Councils who organise events for the sake or organising it by running competitions on carnival basis or cramping the fixtures.
Parents, schools and sports councils are also complaining of the short notice to organise events.
In short, all is not well at the schools or grassroots level.
Read some of the links below to have a better idea of what is actually happening:
And read the contradicting views of two personalities who have been involved for sports for as long as we can remember and make your judgment:
Friday, April 9, 2010
Carnival soccer is development at grassroots!
How on earth do you expect soccer in the country to improve when at the grassroots level minimum importance and time is given to the game.
It was all great that the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Education Minister, Tan Sri Muyyiddin Yassin has been preaching that sports will be given greater emphasis and even has come up with the one student, one sport policy, sports being compulsory in schools. He has gone to say that there will be more funds sports and facilities for schools, training and retraining sports teachers, increase number periods for sports in schools, credit points for students who excel in sports for entry to universities and sports being a integral part of nation building.
But when soccer tournaments are held on carnival basis, played over two halves of 20 minutes, having the semifinals and final on the sameday and the whole zonal matches held over four days, one wonders how our soccer is going to improve.
Just look at the fixtures for soccer of the Keramat Zone in Kuala Lumpur below. Even the chart does not make any sense!
Yes, time constraint because of all the delays will be cited by the organisers, but it all looks like just organising the tournament for the sake of organising it and getting it out of the way!
It was all great that the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Education Minister, Tan Sri Muyyiddin Yassin has been preaching that sports will be given greater emphasis and even has come up with the one student, one sport policy, sports being compulsory in schools. He has gone to say that there will be more funds sports and facilities for schools, training and retraining sports teachers, increase number periods for sports in schools, credit points for students who excel in sports for entry to universities and sports being a integral part of nation building.
But when soccer tournaments are held on carnival basis, played over two halves of 20 minutes, having the semifinals and final on the sameday and the whole zonal matches held over four days, one wonders how our soccer is going to improve.
Just look at the fixtures for soccer of the Keramat Zone in Kuala Lumpur below. Even the chart does not make any sense!
Yes, time constraint because of all the delays will be cited by the organisers, but it all looks like just organising the tournament for the sake of organising it and getting it out of the way!
KEJOHANAN BOLA SEPAK MSSWP ZON KERAMAT BAWAH 18
TARIKH : 5 HINGGA 12 APRIL 2010
TEMPAT : SM TEKNIK SETAPAK, KUALA LUMPUR
JADUAL PERLAWANAN
TARIKH | PERLAWANAN 1 | PERLAWANAN 2 |
10.00 - 10.50 PAGI | 3.00 -3.50 PETANG | |
6 APRIL 2010 | SMK SERI UTAMA | SMK TINGGI SETAPAK |
Keputusan | 3 - 0 | 0 - 2 |
8.00 - 8. 50 PAGI | - | |
8 APRIL 2010 | SMK WANGSA MAJU R1 | - |
Keputusan | 2 - 1 | Layak ke suku akhir .... |
9 APRIL 2010 – SUKU AKHIR (SMK SEKSYEN 5 LWN SMK SETIAWANGSA) 10.30 PAGI
12 APRIL 2010 – SEPARUH AKHIR (8.00 PAGI)
12 APRIL 2010 – AKHIR (3.00 PETANG)
KEJOHANAN BOLA SEPAK MSSWP ZON KERAMAT BAWAH 15
TARIKH : 12 HINGGA 16 APRIL 2010
TEMPAT : SMK SRI RAMPAI, KUALA LUMPUR
TARIKH | PERLAWANAN 1 | PERLAWANAN 2 |
10.00 - 10.50 PAGI | 12.00 -12.50 PETANG | |
12/4/2010 | SMK SERI RAMPAI | |
Keputusan | ||
8.00 - 8. 50 PAGI | ||
14/4/2010 | SMK SETAPAK INDAH | |
Keputusan |
15/4/2010 – SEPARUH AKHIR (PAGI)
- SEPARUH AKHIR (3.00)
16/4/2010 - AKHIR (8.30 PAGI)
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Still a long way to go for Malaysian soccer
The atmosphere was excellent, the stadium was filled to the brim, the teams were all geared up to put their best foot forward and the stage was set for an entertaining game of soccer.
But alas, at the end of the night a bitter taste was left on the mouths of the majority and the only ones who were rejoicing and celebrating were the Negri Sembilan camp.
The scene was at last night's return leg semifinal clash between host Negri Sembilan and challenger, Selangor, at the Paroi Stadium. Selangor were trailing from a goal down from their 1-2 defeat at home in the first leg.
Winning and losing is part and parcel of the game and it has to be accepted in the spirit of the game - that is when all things are played fairly.
I was not at the Stadium last night, but from what I saw in the live telecast of Astro Arena, I have a few bones to pick.
To be honest, it has been sometime since I have witnessed a local match or even watched it over television. I have my reasons.
However, when I decided to catch the second-half of the match last night, I was convinced that I have not missed much.
For starters, the match officials hardly impressed me. Pardon my observation, but the referee - Ibrahim Mohammad - was a misfit in the match. He hardly showed any character, looked like a dwarf among the players and lost in his shorts!
First impressions mean a lot and I was not mistaken.
I missed the 'unvisible' hands of Shukor Adan, but when I saw the replay, I could not imagine how the referee and his assistant, Kaimal Tukiman, could have missed it.
Watch it here:http://www.youtube.com/v/9k2pfjZ8kNg&hl=en_US&fs=1&
And when Ibrahim failed to send off Selangor's rightback Razman Roslan in the first instance when he had handled second assistant referee after commotion, but just flashed the yellow card, it confirmed my fears that Ibrahim could not handle the game.
Razman had tapped the second assistant referee on his cheeks and that tantamount to man handling the match official - it is a red card offence.
Yes, Ibrahim flashed the card on Razman later when he slapped Negri Semibilan's Sharuddin Abu Samah, but he should have been sent out in the first instance!
It was also degrading to see the players harassing the referee each time he made a decision. Basically, Ibrahim had lost all respect of the players.
And the players too were no angels, because it was unbecoming of professional players to act in the manner they did. Many of them were either current or former national players!
Of course, Selangor coach K. Devan had no business to charge at the referee after the match no matter how frustrated he was. At least his assistant P. Maniam had the presence of mind to stop Devan in his tracks to prevent any further untoward incident.
Referee Ibrahim was also seen on television engaging in a war of words with players and even had to be restrained by security officials from taking things onto his own hands.
Refereeing standard has been on the decline for sometime now, just like the game.
And guess the reason?
Simple, referees and assistant referees become attain FIFA status merely to fill the quota. Whether they are qualified and have the experience is questionable. Where do match officials from Melaka and Alor Gajah, get their exposure. The Melaka League? Youth tournaments?
I remember the days when top class referees like Koh Guan Kiat and S. Karthrivale, would say it was more difficult to officiate a Selangor league or FAM Cup match than a Malaysia Cup match.
The point was that Selangor League and FAM Cup matches were so competitive and are faced with all sorts of problems controlling the match, that when they officiate Malaysia Cup matches, where the players are much more refined and play decent soccer, it was a breeze to officiate these matches because of their tough experiences earlier. Besides, match officials will officiate anything between two to three matches a week.
Then, there was another scene which saw an official on duty having a go at a Selangor fan on the stand and had to be restrained by other security officials.
Taking about security, I wonder what kind of security was provided because after the match fans were able to get onto the pitch and only after much later, did the FRU personnel appeared to get the fans back to the stands.
It was also visible on television that gates were left wide opened which had access to the field.
With all these shortcomings at a semifinals match level, Malaysian soccer indeed still has a long way to make it's mark.
Kudos to the spirit of the players of both teams to see their team win, but soccer is just more than that in a professional setup!
But alas, at the end of the night a bitter taste was left on the mouths of the majority and the only ones who were rejoicing and celebrating were the Negri Sembilan camp.
The scene was at last night's return leg semifinal clash between host Negri Sembilan and challenger, Selangor, at the Paroi Stadium. Selangor were trailing from a goal down from their 1-2 defeat at home in the first leg.
Winning and losing is part and parcel of the game and it has to be accepted in the spirit of the game - that is when all things are played fairly.
I was not at the Stadium last night, but from what I saw in the live telecast of Astro Arena, I have a few bones to pick.
To be honest, it has been sometime since I have witnessed a local match or even watched it over television. I have my reasons.
However, when I decided to catch the second-half of the match last night, I was convinced that I have not missed much.
For starters, the match officials hardly impressed me. Pardon my observation, but the referee - Ibrahim Mohammad - was a misfit in the match. He hardly showed any character, looked like a dwarf among the players and lost in his shorts!
First impressions mean a lot and I was not mistaken.
I missed the 'unvisible' hands of Shukor Adan, but when I saw the replay, I could not imagine how the referee and his assistant, Kaimal Tukiman, could have missed it.
Watch it here:http://www.youtube.com/v/9k2pfjZ8kNg&hl=en_US&fs=1&
And when Ibrahim failed to send off Selangor's rightback Razman Roslan in the first instance when he had handled second assistant referee after commotion, but just flashed the yellow card, it confirmed my fears that Ibrahim could not handle the game.
Razman had tapped the second assistant referee on his cheeks and that tantamount to man handling the match official - it is a red card offence.
Yes, Ibrahim flashed the card on Razman later when he slapped Negri Semibilan's Sharuddin Abu Samah, but he should have been sent out in the first instance!
It was also degrading to see the players harassing the referee each time he made a decision. Basically, Ibrahim had lost all respect of the players.
And the players too were no angels, because it was unbecoming of professional players to act in the manner they did. Many of them were either current or former national players!
Of course, Selangor coach K. Devan had no business to charge at the referee after the match no matter how frustrated he was. At least his assistant P. Maniam had the presence of mind to stop Devan in his tracks to prevent any further untoward incident.
Referee Ibrahim was also seen on television engaging in a war of words with players and even had to be restrained by security officials from taking things onto his own hands.
Refereeing standard has been on the decline for sometime now, just like the game.
And guess the reason?
Simple, referees and assistant referees become attain FIFA status merely to fill the quota. Whether they are qualified and have the experience is questionable. Where do match officials from Melaka and Alor Gajah, get their exposure. The Melaka League? Youth tournaments?
I remember the days when top class referees like Koh Guan Kiat and S. Karthrivale, would say it was more difficult to officiate a Selangor league or FAM Cup match than a Malaysia Cup match.
The point was that Selangor League and FAM Cup matches were so competitive and are faced with all sorts of problems controlling the match, that when they officiate Malaysia Cup matches, where the players are much more refined and play decent soccer, it was a breeze to officiate these matches because of their tough experiences earlier. Besides, match officials will officiate anything between two to three matches a week.
Then, there was another scene which saw an official on duty having a go at a Selangor fan on the stand and had to be restrained by other security officials.
Taking about security, I wonder what kind of security was provided because after the match fans were able to get onto the pitch and only after much later, did the FRU personnel appeared to get the fans back to the stands.
It was also visible on television that gates were left wide opened which had access to the field.
With all these shortcomings at a semifinals match level, Malaysian soccer indeed still has a long way to make it's mark.
Kudos to the spirit of the players of both teams to see their team win, but soccer is just more than that in a professional setup!
Foreign players will improve Malaysian soccer?
For the life of me, I cannot understand how the re-entry of foreign players will improve Malaysian football.
I still commend the FA of Malaysia (FAM) for taking a stance to do away with foreign players in the M-League - never mind the reason for the ban was because it was a financial burden on the teams.
It was indeed a blessing in disguise. It happened once before, and suddenly the national soccer team did well in the Asean Tiger's Cup and we actually had strikers in the team who were capable of scoring goals!
The argument that the Selangor team did not do well in the AFC Cup because it did not have foreign players, is lame.
The reason why Selangor did not do well is because they do not have a strong local league. Gone are the days when the Selangor League matches used to seen even more competitive matches than the Malaysia Cup matches.
There was an abundance of talent in Selangor, that to find a place in the Selangor team was a luxury. Even some national players used to warm the benches with the Selangor team then.
Today, every Ahmad, Ah Kow and Alagamuthu can don Selangor colours. To make make matters worse, Selangor cannot even assemble a decent team from their own Selangor-born players, but have to "import" players from other States.
Address the grassroots problem - a proper schools league, a junior league and strong State league - and everything will fall in place. It will take sometime to see results, but nothing happens overnight.
It is understood that Selangor and Kuala Lumpur leagues bar players above 30 years old to play in their league. Apparently, this will see more youngsters in the League.
But what they have failed to understand is that it is these 30somethings guys who form and run the team. With them ruled out, many teams have pulled out.
In anycase, what is wrong if the 30something play. It is no a whole team of 30something playing. It is a just a few of them, with the rest being young players. A decision taken without much thought has not ruled out more youngsters than 30somethings!
Shortcut attempts like bringing in foreign players is only temporary and cause long term damage.
Critics may argue that going foreign is being professional.
Yes, but is Malaysian football professional in the true sense of the word.
Teams do not have their own Stadium (Stadiums belong to the State Government), do not have proper or permanent training grounds, no clubhouse, no team bus, no proper administration system, proper financial standings, inadequate professional personnel and the list goes on.
Bringing in foreign players will only deny local players an opportunity to be exposed.
Most teams previously strengthen their teams either with a foreign striker, a central midfielder and a central defender and in some cases of goalkeeper.
These a vital clogs in a team and if every team hires three foreign players to strengthen their backbone of the team, how is this going to help our national team.
Some teams hire two strikers and then we complain that we do not have strikers for the national.
Where are they are going to come from? Thin air? Without any exposure how are the local players going to play at the international level?
Some may argue that playing alongside foreign players will see the locals improve.
From what we have seen, the local players have picked up more of the bad habits than the good. Besides a majority of the foreign players who have plied their trade in Malaysia are mediocre players.
Then there will be arguments that without foreign players, the excitement and flair is missing in the competition.
Are we now talking about entertainment value or development of Malaysian football?
Was there not a full Stadium in the FA Cup semifinals match between Negri Sembilan and Selangor last night at Paroi Stadium?
When there is quality performance from local players, the fans will automatically turn up.
Let us first work at getting some quality performance from out local players before looking for any short-cuts which will only prove to detrimental to Malaysian soccer.
There was a big hue and cry about the National Under-23 team which won the Sea Games gold. They were local players and there was excitement from the fans. And where did these players come from - the M-League right?
Efforts are being made by FA of Malaysia to see our young footballers being exposed to quality matches overseas and these are efforts which will eventually improve the quality of the M-League and the national team.
Leagues in Korea, Japan and China have foreign players because they are moving to the next level - having attained a high standard among their local players.
Their local players are ready and already playing in overseas Leagues.
Malaysia is are far from that and let us not fool ourselves to associate ourselves with other countries who have progressed and are way ahead of us.
In anything we do, there is no shortcut to success. It is no different in soccer. We have to learn to walk before we can run.
So the faster everyone starts working hard to build a strong base in their respective States, the faster Malaysian soccer has a chance to move forward!
I still commend the FA of Malaysia (FAM) for taking a stance to do away with foreign players in the M-League - never mind the reason for the ban was because it was a financial burden on the teams.
It was indeed a blessing in disguise. It happened once before, and suddenly the national soccer team did well in the Asean Tiger's Cup and we actually had strikers in the team who were capable of scoring goals!
The argument that the Selangor team did not do well in the AFC Cup because it did not have foreign players, is lame.
The reason why Selangor did not do well is because they do not have a strong local league. Gone are the days when the Selangor League matches used to seen even more competitive matches than the Malaysia Cup matches.
There was an abundance of talent in Selangor, that to find a place in the Selangor team was a luxury. Even some national players used to warm the benches with the Selangor team then.
Today, every Ahmad, Ah Kow and Alagamuthu can don Selangor colours. To make make matters worse, Selangor cannot even assemble a decent team from their own Selangor-born players, but have to "import" players from other States.
Address the grassroots problem - a proper schools league, a junior league and strong State league - and everything will fall in place. It will take sometime to see results, but nothing happens overnight.
It is understood that Selangor and Kuala Lumpur leagues bar players above 30 years old to play in their league. Apparently, this will see more youngsters in the League.
But what they have failed to understand is that it is these 30somethings guys who form and run the team. With them ruled out, many teams have pulled out.
In anycase, what is wrong if the 30something play. It is no a whole team of 30something playing. It is a just a few of them, with the rest being young players. A decision taken without much thought has not ruled out more youngsters than 30somethings!
Shortcut attempts like bringing in foreign players is only temporary and cause long term damage.
Critics may argue that going foreign is being professional.
Yes, but is Malaysian football professional in the true sense of the word.
Teams do not have their own Stadium (Stadiums belong to the State Government), do not have proper or permanent training grounds, no clubhouse, no team bus, no proper administration system, proper financial standings, inadequate professional personnel and the list goes on.
Bringing in foreign players will only deny local players an opportunity to be exposed.
Most teams previously strengthen their teams either with a foreign striker, a central midfielder and a central defender and in some cases of goalkeeper.
These a vital clogs in a team and if every team hires three foreign players to strengthen their backbone of the team, how is this going to help our national team.
Some teams hire two strikers and then we complain that we do not have strikers for the national.
Where are they are going to come from? Thin air? Without any exposure how are the local players going to play at the international level?
Some may argue that playing alongside foreign players will see the locals improve.
From what we have seen, the local players have picked up more of the bad habits than the good. Besides a majority of the foreign players who have plied their trade in Malaysia are mediocre players.
Then there will be arguments that without foreign players, the excitement and flair is missing in the competition.
Are we now talking about entertainment value or development of Malaysian football?
Was there not a full Stadium in the FA Cup semifinals match between Negri Sembilan and Selangor last night at Paroi Stadium?
When there is quality performance from local players, the fans will automatically turn up.
Let us first work at getting some quality performance from out local players before looking for any short-cuts which will only prove to detrimental to Malaysian soccer.
There was a big hue and cry about the National Under-23 team which won the Sea Games gold. They were local players and there was excitement from the fans. And where did these players come from - the M-League right?
Efforts are being made by FA of Malaysia to see our young footballers being exposed to quality matches overseas and these are efforts which will eventually improve the quality of the M-League and the national team.
Leagues in Korea, Japan and China have foreign players because they are moving to the next level - having attained a high standard among their local players.
Their local players are ready and already playing in overseas Leagues.
Malaysia is are far from that and let us not fool ourselves to associate ourselves with other countries who have progressed and are way ahead of us.
In anything we do, there is no shortcut to success. It is no different in soccer. We have to learn to walk before we can run.
So the faster everyone starts working hard to build a strong base in their respective States, the faster Malaysian soccer has a chance to move forward!
There's more than the eye meets
The idea to finally place emphasis on sports in schools after all these years of neglect is great.
The announcement by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin of one student, one sport policy, sports being compulsory in schools, funds sports and facilities for schools, training and retraining sports teachers, increase number periods for sports in schools, credit points for students who excel in sports for entry to universities and sports being a integral part of nation building, all sounds great.
However, one wonders if the Deputy Prime Minister really knows that actual situation at the schools and if his Director of Educations in the States and officers have given him a clear picture of the situation on the ground.
Ideas are great, but do they have the means to implement them and is it is any easy task as it sounds.
The New Sunday Times today had a front-paged story and two page focus on the actual situation on the ground.
Read the stories here - School sports rot and reports - Are We Ready - and Proper coaches and facilities needed.
But this is just the tip of the inceberg.
The problem is much more deep and extensive - no thanks of the neglect of sports in schools over the year and now suddenly want to everything right by a wave of a wand!
It is is going to take as many years as we ended up in this rot to get things right.
The biggest question is that do we have the patience and commitment to see it through to put schools sports back in track or it will take backseat the moment the heat is off or there is a change of Minister?
Just take a drive around the city and visit the schools. Many do not have a proper playing field. Those who are lucky to have, may just have a small plot of the field left - no thanks to development, or have a field which is in deplorable conditions.
Then, we will see some school fields being used as car parks by the teachers!
We still hear of schools sports being held on a badminton courts!
Yes, there is a great deal of work to be done to get things right again.
Then again will it happen or someone contractor is going to make money by supplying cheap material and build shoddy facilities or lay poor grounds!
Have we not heard of so many schools built, only not to receive the CF or being closed after cracks are found in the schools after a few months!
Even if everything goes well and the best facilities are put up, has anyone thought of funds for maintainence?
Many facilities and grounds have been built and laid, but because there is no budget for maintenance cost, the facilities and grounds become deplorable in no time.
It is a mammoth task ahead and the Education Minister alone cannot put it right.
It takes the concerted effort of Education Ministry Directors, officers, State Education Directors and their officers, all school heads, teachers, students and parents to make it right.
Let us not forget that we not just talking about Kuala Lumpur or Selangor, but the length and breath of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak! There are some 10,000 schools!
It certainly cannot be achieved overnight and perseverance will be the key word here.
Do we all have it to realise the ultimate goals or is it just going to be lip service or all talk and no action?
Forgive me for being pessimistic, but I personally feel that it is very unlikely that for all the damage that has been done, it is going to be impossible to put it right again.
Unless of course, we strive at it over years without deviating from our objectives for a second, we may put things right again maybe after a modest 5 years!
Are we all prepared to do that?
The announcement by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin of one student, one sport policy, sports being compulsory in schools, funds sports and facilities for schools, training and retraining sports teachers, increase number periods for sports in schools, credit points for students who excel in sports for entry to universities and sports being a integral part of nation building, all sounds great.
However, one wonders if the Deputy Prime Minister really knows that actual situation at the schools and if his Director of Educations in the States and officers have given him a clear picture of the situation on the ground.
Ideas are great, but do they have the means to implement them and is it is any easy task as it sounds.
The New Sunday Times today had a front-paged story and two page focus on the actual situation on the ground.
Read the stories here - School sports rot and reports - Are We Ready - and Proper coaches and facilities needed.
But this is just the tip of the inceberg.
The problem is much more deep and extensive - no thanks of the neglect of sports in schools over the year and now suddenly want to everything right by a wave of a wand!
It is is going to take as many years as we ended up in this rot to get things right.
The biggest question is that do we have the patience and commitment to see it through to put schools sports back in track or it will take backseat the moment the heat is off or there is a change of Minister?
Just take a drive around the city and visit the schools. Many do not have a proper playing field. Those who are lucky to have, may just have a small plot of the field left - no thanks to development, or have a field which is in deplorable conditions.
Then, we will see some school fields being used as car parks by the teachers!
We still hear of schools sports being held on a badminton courts!
Yes, there is a great deal of work to be done to get things right again.
Then again will it happen or someone contractor is going to make money by supplying cheap material and build shoddy facilities or lay poor grounds!
Have we not heard of so many schools built, only not to receive the CF or being closed after cracks are found in the schools after a few months!
Even if everything goes well and the best facilities are put up, has anyone thought of funds for maintainence?
Many facilities and grounds have been built and laid, but because there is no budget for maintenance cost, the facilities and grounds become deplorable in no time.
It is a mammoth task ahead and the Education Minister alone cannot put it right.
It takes the concerted effort of Education Ministry Directors, officers, State Education Directors and their officers, all school heads, teachers, students and parents to make it right.
Let us not forget that we not just talking about Kuala Lumpur or Selangor, but the length and breath of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak! There are some 10,000 schools!
It certainly cannot be achieved overnight and perseverance will be the key word here.
Do we all have it to realise the ultimate goals or is it just going to be lip service or all talk and no action?
Forgive me for being pessimistic, but I personally feel that it is very unlikely that for all the damage that has been done, it is going to be impossible to put it right again.
Unless of course, we strive at it over years without deviating from our objectives for a second, we may put things right again maybe after a modest 5 years!
Are we all prepared to do that?
Thursday, April 1, 2010
This is no April Fool Joke!
Today being April Fool's Day, as I was browsing through the papers for a April Fool's story, my mind rushed back to 25 years ago.
It was about a story I did on March 31 and appeared in The Malay Mail edition on April 1st.
The story was that the then national coach Frank Lord, an Englishman, after Malaysia's final first leg Group 3A match against Nepal in the pre-world tournament at the Merdeka Stadium which Malaysia won 5-0, will leave before his contract ended.
The return leg Group match was in Seoul, and I broke the story that Frank will not be around for the second leg against Korea and Nepal, because his contract was not renewed before the second leg.
After having steered the Malaysian team to beat Korea by a solitary goal, Frank decided to play poker and try his luck to have his contract renewed before the second leg.
Malaysia only needed to beat Nepal again and draw with Korea in the return leg to move to the next round of qualifiers.
The late Datuk Bakar Daud was the national team manager called for a meeting before the match against Nepal on March 31 to decide whether Frank's demand was to be met, or just let him go.
Frank's argument was that a decision by FA of Malaysia on his fate after the return leg decided not to renew his contract, he would have little chance securing a job back in England, as the English League was starting in August.
Frank was obviously confident that FA of Malaysia will hire him as they wanted the team to do well and move close to the dreams of playing in the World Cup
But he was mistaken, as FA of Malaysia had other ideas and decided to let him go and appointed Mohamad Bakar as the new coach. Obvioulsy, the powers to be were confident that they would do well in the return leg with or without Frank.
They also recalled the late Mokhtar Dahari out of retirement.
So when the story was published exclusively by The Malay Mail on April Fool's Day, everyone thought that it was the tabloid's way playing prank.
None of the newspapers followed by the story on April 2 and only went to town on April 3 when they realised that it was no April Fool's joke.
It was Joe Kinnear, who was coaching Nepal who had tipped me on Frank's predicament on March 31 afternoon at the Federal Hotel swimming pool where I was interviewing for a Sunday Mail story.
When I confirmed it with Frank after the match against Nepal, he said he could not say more until he got the official letter from FA of Malaysia.
In the meantime, Frank had gone into hiding and could not be contacted on April 2.
It was only close to midnight that I managed to get Frank at his home in Kuantan where he coached Pahang since 1983 when he led them to their first-ever Malaysia Cup the same year.
Although rookie reporter then, I had managed to win Frank's confidence from time he step on the shore of Malaysia and he would confide many things with me about Malaysia soccer - many were published, while some were said in confidence.
I asked him one more favour. I told him that I was leaving for Kuantan immediately after the call and asked him for exclusivity for an in-depth interview of time in Malaysia and Malaysian soccer.
He said: "You are buying the beers!" and I knew I had the story in the bag!
April 3rd early morning I was in Kuantan after a drive along the old road to Kuantan in my second-hand Mazda 808 (first first car after using the kapchai for five years).
I checked-in at Merlin Hotel and Frank promised to meet me there in the afternoon.
He came as promised and confirmed that he had received the letter for him to leave immediately even before his contract expired, as FA of Malaysia had decided to compensate him with his full term of the paid contract.
We chatted for more than an hour about his experience in Malaysia for my exclusive. I called the Sports desk back and told them that I had the follow-up story.
I did not file the story immediately fearing that the story on the system in the office would be picked up by NST or BH who were all using the same Atex system and had excess to the Malay Mail queue.
I sent the story past midnight and on April 4 The Malay Mail had another exclusive story with the interview with Frank.
It was a great moment for me as a young reporter.
However, what happened at the end of the month, was something I will remember forever.
My former sports editor who was then the Editor of Malay Mail, Maurice Khoo (a former Kelantan footballer) named my story as the story of the month for the paper.
This note (below) by Maurice was put up on the noticeboard on The Malay Mail floor.
Little wonder that I went on serve the paper for 27 years because it was moments like these that kept me striving for more, motivated and love my job.
It was about a story I did on March 31 and appeared in The Malay Mail edition on April 1st.
The story was that the then national coach Frank Lord, an Englishman, after Malaysia's final first leg Group 3A match against Nepal in the pre-world tournament at the Merdeka Stadium which Malaysia won 5-0, will leave before his contract ended.
The return leg Group match was in Seoul, and I broke the story that Frank will not be around for the second leg against Korea and Nepal, because his contract was not renewed before the second leg.
After having steered the Malaysian team to beat Korea by a solitary goal, Frank decided to play poker and try his luck to have his contract renewed before the second leg.
Malaysia only needed to beat Nepal again and draw with Korea in the return leg to move to the next round of qualifiers.
The late Datuk Bakar Daud was the national team manager called for a meeting before the match against Nepal on March 31 to decide whether Frank's demand was to be met, or just let him go.
Frank's argument was that a decision by FA of Malaysia on his fate after the return leg decided not to renew his contract, he would have little chance securing a job back in England, as the English League was starting in August.
Frank was obviously confident that FA of Malaysia will hire him as they wanted the team to do well and move close to the dreams of playing in the World Cup
But he was mistaken, as FA of Malaysia had other ideas and decided to let him go and appointed Mohamad Bakar as the new coach. Obvioulsy, the powers to be were confident that they would do well in the return leg with or without Frank.
They also recalled the late Mokhtar Dahari out of retirement.
So when the story was published exclusively by The Malay Mail on April Fool's Day, everyone thought that it was the tabloid's way playing prank.
None of the newspapers followed by the story on April 2 and only went to town on April 3 when they realised that it was no April Fool's joke.
It was Joe Kinnear, who was coaching Nepal who had tipped me on Frank's predicament on March 31 afternoon at the Federal Hotel swimming pool where I was interviewing for a Sunday Mail story.
When I confirmed it with Frank after the match against Nepal, he said he could not say more until he got the official letter from FA of Malaysia.
In the meantime, Frank had gone into hiding and could not be contacted on April 2.
It was only close to midnight that I managed to get Frank at his home in Kuantan where he coached Pahang since 1983 when he led them to their first-ever Malaysia Cup the same year.
Although rookie reporter then, I had managed to win Frank's confidence from time he step on the shore of Malaysia and he would confide many things with me about Malaysia soccer - many were published, while some were said in confidence.
I asked him one more favour. I told him that I was leaving for Kuantan immediately after the call and asked him for exclusivity for an in-depth interview of time in Malaysia and Malaysian soccer.
He said: "You are buying the beers!" and I knew I had the story in the bag!
April 3rd early morning I was in Kuantan after a drive along the old road to Kuantan in my second-hand Mazda 808 (first first car after using the kapchai for five years).
I checked-in at Merlin Hotel and Frank promised to meet me there in the afternoon.
He came as promised and confirmed that he had received the letter for him to leave immediately even before his contract expired, as FA of Malaysia had decided to compensate him with his full term of the paid contract.
We chatted for more than an hour about his experience in Malaysia for my exclusive. I called the Sports desk back and told them that I had the follow-up story.
I did not file the story immediately fearing that the story on the system in the office would be picked up by NST or BH who were all using the same Atex system and had excess to the Malay Mail queue.
I sent the story past midnight and on April 4 The Malay Mail had another exclusive story with the interview with Frank.
It was a great moment for me as a young reporter.
However, what happened at the end of the month, was something I will remember forever.
My former sports editor who was then the Editor of Malay Mail, Maurice Khoo (a former Kelantan footballer) named my story as the story of the month for the paper.
This note (below) by Maurice was put up on the noticeboard on The Malay Mail floor.
Little wonder that I went on serve the paper for 27 years because it was moments like these that kept me striving for more, motivated and love my job.
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