ALL’S WELL OR ALL HELL WILL BREAK LOOSE

GOLD IN TOKYO WILL ERASE ALL FLAWS?

By Tony Mariadass

If Azizulhasni Awang goes on to win the historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics which ends on Sunday (he has been targeted to win in the keirin), everything will be ‘hunky dory'.

The Tokyo Olympics will be remembered as a success despite the overall ‘lukewarm’ performance.

If he fails, or even get a silver or bronze medal, all hell will break loose, especially in the social media, although all sorts of excuses will be given by the authorities for failing to achieve the one gold medal and medals from badminton, diving, and cycling.

For all the effort and determination of Azizulhasni and his coach Beasley and the money spent on cycling, we hope that he wins the gold medal.

But it is easier said than done and Azizulhasni’s opponents are certainly going to do everything possible to deny the former the honour.

Rest assured the Malaysian camp, especially officials from the Ministry of Sports, National Sports Council (NSC), National Sports Institute (NSI) and association, will be at the velodrome cheering Azizulhasni to win the gold and probably even wearing Azizulhasni for Gold T-shirts, as was the case in Rio five years ago.

Azizulhasni bags the gold, and it will be celebration time and euryopia and rightful so.

But do not forget the overall performance at the Games still needs to be addressed.

As in every other multi-sports Games like the Sea Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics Games, a report will be prepared and will be debated and preparation for the next Games at France in three years’ time will begin.

How many Games have come and gone at all levels, and each time when the next Games come, we are faced with the same problems and issues?

Millions of ringgits are allocated each time, programmes are launched or modified, but in the end nothing substantial is achieved.

Without doubt the last Games in 2016 – Rio Games – bore the best results where Malaysia bagged four silver medals and a bronze medal - in badminton, diving and cycling final – Lee Chong Wei, Goh Liu Ying- Chan Peng Soon and Goh V Chem and Tan Wee Kiong winning silver medals; Pandelela and Jun Hoong silver in diving and Azizulhasni winning bronze in keirin.

Former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin paid tribute to Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek for his initiative in establishing the ‘Road to Rio’ programme when he was the Youth and Sports minister four earlier, which Khairy said led to the success in Rio because of a foundation paid well.

Khairy then went to say that plans start for Tokyo 2020 immediately.

Leading to Tokyo we have had three sports ministers – Khairy, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and current Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

Here itself, one would question if there was a smooth plan in place or changes with every minister.

Yes, there is NSC who were supposed to be the guiding force to the Ministers. But was transition each time done professionally or with personal agendas.

And what about the money allocated for the preparation of the Tokyo Games?

Was it well spent for the benefit for the athletes?

In 2018, the then government allocated RM100 million for the country’s preparations for the 2020 Olympics and then Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had said when tabling 2019 Budget.

He said the purpose of the allocation was to continue Malaysia’s pursuit of the elusive top prize at the Olympics.

Then in February 2020, under Sports Minister Syed Saddiq, as the hunt for Malaysia’s first ever Olympic gold intensified, the Sports Ministry decided to give an extra “financial push” to the various sports in their last lap of preparations for Tokyo with an allocation of RM22.5 million.

The allocation for the various sports were cycling: RM8.37 million, badminton: RM6.45 million, diving: RM2.32 million, sailing: RM1.96 million, archery: RM940,710, golf: RM738,000, artistic gymnastics: RM644,905, karate: RM588,975, swimming: RM477,000.

Syed Saddiq had said that the RM22.5 million was for use between January and August and added that they got closer to the Games, the athletes may have additional requirements to achieve those marginal gains needed and they will look if it is necessary to allocate more funds then.

So far, we have won just one bronze medal through youngsters, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in men’s badminton doubles – who were not targeted to bag a medal.

The media also had built the hype for Tokyo, playing to the tune of the administrators, and built up the hopes of Malaysians.

But as we fell short with each passing day at the Games, all sorts of excuses were given and the main and ready-made excuse was the Covid-19 pandemic which had hindered their preparation because of lock downs, under able to travel for competitions, competitions cancelled, stress and others.

Malaysia was not the only country in the world affected by the pandemic. It was a level playing field for all countries with the challenges.

The question is how well Malaysia managed the situation and look at alternatives to prepare the athletes to the best.

Could places like Langkawi and Perlis, which were safer places during the pandemic, could have been used as base.

Let us not forget that this time around, preparation period was five years and not four years for Olympics.

NSC and the respective sports associations had the luxury of having the Olympic bound athletes for the longest period without interruptions from domestic and international competitions.

So how well did the planners think out of the box in their preparation plans. How did the rest of the world manage and did well at the Olympics?

I do not blame the athletes, for their prepared to their best with the platform offered to them.

The ones who qualified for the Games should be congratulated. Those who achieved their personal best or national records should be applauded and those who won medals praised for their determination and excellence.

As far as rewards for athletes who won medals, it is all in place through the rewards scheme for Olympic Games where individual gold medal winners will be entitled to RM1 million, silver medal and bronze medal winners will get RM300,000 and RM100,000 respectively. For team sports, the amounts remain the same and will be awarded to the team to be shared.

 

Then there is the SHAKAM (Skim Imbuhan Tetap Olimpik – Permanent Olympic Reward Scheme) programme - where winning athletes will be paid a monthly allowance for a lifetime (pension). Gold medallists will earn a monthly pension of RM5,000, silver medallists RM3,000 and bronze medallists, RM2,000. To date, as many as 13 Olympic athletes have reaped rewards through the SHAKAM programme.

 

Of course, with winning medals comes sponsorships and endorsement deals.

Afterall, Malaysia’s reward scheme for Olympics is among the third highest among top 10 nations.

 

Thus, athletes cannot complain of not being rewarded for their efforts, sacrifices and achievements.

This brings us to questions why Malaysia still has not achieved its true potential in sports.

Here was a few to ponder on for our under achievements:

a)     Politics in sports

b)    Sports officials who are not qualified leading associations

c)     Sports officials overstaying their welcome in associations

d)    Younger and former sportsmen and women, kept out of sports associations their excel in

e)     National sport associations (NSAs) selling their soul to NSC when they should be playing the main role in promoting and developing their respective sports.

f)      NSAs are totally responsible for the development of their respective sports and should engage their former athletes.

g)     Talent scouting must be a permanent feature in every NSAs and executed widely to identity new talent and groom them. (currently talent scouting is virtually nonexistence)

h)    There must be a large pool of talent available for all sports who can step into the shoes of those who are aging or failed to live up to their potential.

i)       NSC and NSAs should stop depending on athletes who do well for forever by flocking them till they get injured and get old.

j)       Younger and potential athletes should be given adequate training, exposure, and support.

k)     Sports in Malaysia should be blind to colour, creed, and race. Let the best be allowed to represent the nation. Everyone should be treated fairly and with no favouritism.

l)       Coaches should be given full responsibility for their athletes and teams.

 m) Coaches should be the ones given priority to accompany their athletes for competitions and NOT administrative officials or officials who are close to the higher ups in their respective associations.

n)    NSC not giving the recognition to NSAs and taking control of them

o)    NSC handling training and management of athletes when NSAs are the authorities in their respective sports

p)    NSC should serve as the one-stop centre for dispersing money allocated to NSAs by the Sports Ministry and not take charge of NSAs and when failure occurs blame the NSAs and when seek glory when achievements are derived.

q)    NSI to play a more supporting role for all and not selected sports or a few athletes. Every NSA should have access to NSI’s facilities and their assistance and guidance.

r0 Athletes too have to have the desire to excel and use the opportunity for themselves to elevate their life. Most of our athletes are comfortable and lack the hunger. Probably athletes from difficult backgrounds who will do better for Malaysia. We need to find these athletes from the poverty sector or difficult living backgrounds and give them the platform to rise out of their predicament

I could go on to list a few more, but I will stop because even to rectify the above is going to be a dream which may never be realised.

Without doubt, post mortems and reports are going to be made on the Tokyo Olympics with recommendations, but as usual it is going to be a futile exercise, as it is going to end in the cupboards in the storeroom collecting dust.

Just pick anyone of the many previous reports, and the answers to Malaysia becoming a powerhouse will be staring at your face.

Will anyone pick it up and implement it? Your guess and answer are as good as mine!

I have been in think tank and review groups but have never seen the end report surface or being utilised.

At this point, I believe officials who had played a role in the decline of Malaysian sports, should gracefully step down and allow fresh faces to come on aboard and try something new and different.

Will it happen?

DR NATHAN HAILS SHALIN

By Tony Mariadass

Datuk Dr P. S. Nathan, former national bowler, and president of Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) has the distinction of having bowled the sports into world recognition.

The consultant dermatologist by profession, Nathan who turned 87 on Nov 3^rd, is a product of St Paul's and Victoria Institution, who hails from Seremban, is known as the ‘Doc for all seasons.’

He is among the rare breed of sports personalities who has excelled as a dermatologist, sportsman and administrator.

 It will be an under statement to say that he is the ‘Father for Malaysian Bowling’ for he turned the sports from a parlour game to a national sport, played by young, old and all races, and turned the sports into a medal winning pot in the international bowling arena.

As a player he was the first National Masters champion in 1974. It
was also the year he founded the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC).
As a player, his fulfilling moments were winning the national finals
three times in a row in 1975-77. (His wife – Malathy - won the ladies event the same three years, thus creating a record of sorts) to represent Malaysia in the AMF World Cup.

The singles gold at the SEAP Games in 75 (the first gold for Malaysia
in bowling in the SEA Games) and then the Asian Games team gold in 1978
(again the first gold for Malaysia in the Asian Games in bowling) were
memorable moments. The singles gold was a record that stood for more than
20 years.

He hung up his bowling shoes in 1981 after winning the national finals to
represent Malaysia in the first World Games. That was particularly
memorable for him, as once again, his wife won the ladies finals with him.
As an official, he was the president of the Asian Bowling Federation
from 1984-1987. Then from 1987-2003 he was the president of the WTBA for
three terms of four years each. He was the first Malaysian and the first
Asian to be the president of a world governing body of a sport.

It was indeed a surprise when none of the print or electronic media spoke to him when Shalin Zulkilfi retired after her illustrious 28-year-old career, a fortnight ago.

If there was anyone who knew Shalin well, spotted her and saw her grow into an international bowling Icon, besides her parents, it must be Dr Nathan.

Below in an exclusive interview, Dr Nathan shares his thoughts on Shalin’s retirement and future…….

 

Dr Nathan with Shalin when she was 14

“Known Shalin since she was about six or seven.  This was when she was at the bowling centre at Kent Bowl, where she would be doing her school homework while here parents would be bowling. Then she will take to lanes under the instructions of her father who was a good bowler himself.

Soon she became a good bowler. I then took her under the MTBC bowling coaching programme under Sid Allen, who was the one who blossomed her into bowler she is today.

Sid is a great coach in planning for national development of the sport, and for coaching bowlers individually especially the psychological aspect.

As most of us in the bowling fraternity know, 62 percent is mental, and 38 percent is physical.

What can I say about Shalin……. she is highly intelligent, exceptionally talented and all the time in the learning process. She tends to look out of the book, listens to professional bowlers, visits bowling ball manufacturing centres from where she would learn the intricacies of what each ball does. Such thoughts and knowledge are pivotal for the advancement of any bowler to world class level.

Her retirement from active competitive bowling is a loss to Malaysia, MTBC and to herself as well. But as she realises and as we all know, there comes a time in the evolution of mankind that everything is cyclical.  That at some point our faculties and abilities begin to wane.  The clever lot among the top athletes would retire at their peak, which that is what she is doing.

I am told she is proceeding to the US to compete in the Ladies Professional Bowling Tour, which is certainly one of toughest Ladies bowling tournaments in the world but not the ultimate. The reason being many of the Korean bowlers do not compete here and they are by all recognition among the best ladies in the world, by far.

 No doubt she will learn much, as I said earlier, on the science of the manufacturing and data on balls, and the mindset of the male pro bowlers, as I believe she will be attached to one of the bowling companies.

She is already sports a science degree holder, so pursuing an academic career on sports science is not going to be financially beneficial but more of an investment.

If she goes to the level of doing a PhD, then she could be a lecturer in sports science department in any of the local universities. If the universities who employ would allow her to do private coaching, it would be a real boost to her morale and finances.

Overall, I must say she has been one of our best bowlers and undoubtedly the best team leader.

I wish her well and wish her the best. And I know she will be the best.”

KAMPUNG BOY KIM SENG SHOWS THERE IS LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

Tony Mariadass

Taking every challenge with a positive approach see’s Kim Seng rise to conquer

BANTING: Former international defender, See Kim Seng, is proof that there is life after football, if one plans well, works hard, willing to face challenges, be prudent and keep one’s feet firm on the ground always.

The 56-year-old father of five daughters, who grew up at Kampong Kelanang, Banting, has come a long way to establish himself as a successful businessman, since he last played for Negri Sembilan in 1994.

He has managed a heavy machinery business successfully from 1995 to 2013, before recession saw him fold the business, then set up his own heavy machinery company for a few years, and after his last job during the building of KLIA 2, decided to go into managing a golf driving range at the Desa Driving Range at Shah Alam – his second, after the first in Bandar Baru Kelang in 2015, where his contract of the range was not renewed after three years - and now runs a seafood restaurant – Attapka – since February.

Kim Seng who took up golfing after football and was a single handicapper, also runs a coaching clinic for children at his range, but now has asked his friend to run it, because he has to concentrate on his seafood restaurant.

“I was lucky that I had people who were willing to assist me and my name as a footballer helped. But in the end, I had to prove myself and work hard to make the business successful,” said Kim Seng who had a tough life growing up.

“For instance, it was friend and my football fan, who asked to set up the heavy machinery business. The current golf range owner - David Lee Cheng Chew – has given me a good rental price as his business was down and wanted to turn it around. The seafood business belonged to my youngest brother (Kim Huat), who asked me to take over as his health was ailing.

“I come from a family of seven and was the fifth. As a 12-year-old I used to follow my late father (See Thiam Sem) who ran a fruit shop, to buy coconuts and fruits, from plantations by bicycle first before he got a motorcycle.

“Coming from a small town and kampong, I knew what hardship was all about and was always prudent and saved whatever I could for a rainy day.

“It is not how much you earn, but how much you can safe. A father can give his son 1 million ringgit, but it will all come to nought if the son does not know how to utilise the money well.

“I was very careful not to be distracted by the bright city lights when I played football. I did not earn much as compared to players these days, but I managed to safe and did not spend unnecessarily or spoil myself.”

Kim Seng said life was no different in his football career where he had to work hard and make sacrifices.

“Nothing came was on a silver platter,” said Kim Seng

Kim Seng started playing football as a striker, as a kampong boy with estate players near his home.

Chinese educated at his primary school SRJK Simpan Morib and later at SM Sg Manggis till Form Three and in SMK Telok Datuk, he first played for his school teams, before turning out for the Kuala Langat District team in the Selangor premier league.

It was with the district team that Kim Seng was spotted by the late international midfield maestro Wong Choon Wah, was who playing for Selangor Chinese Recreation Club (SCRC), when playing in the league match in Banting.

“Choon Wah and the team officials offered me a job and asked to come to the city and play for them. When I told them I was only 16 and still in school, they were surprised,” said See laughing aloud who said he was well built then itself from all the hard work he had to undergo.

“They then asked me to play for them on match days and I would travel to KL taking a bus on game day in the afternoon and return home about 10pm. My older brother (Ah Hock) would wait at the bus stand in Banting and bring me home on his motorcycle.”

Kim Seng went on to play for Selangor schools in the Rahman Cup and Razak Cup and donned national colours in the Asean Schools football championship for two years – 1981 in Jakarta and 1982 in Bangkok where he captained the team.

It was in 1984, that he was selected to the Selangor team and with a star-studded team with the likes of the late Mokhtar Dahari, K. Rajagobal, Norbit Shah and other notable names, he warmed the bench and only played one match against Armed Forces.

Next year, frustrated, he returned to just play in the Selangor league for SCRC. It was here that late Chow Kwai Lam spotted him and took him to play for Kuala Lumpur in late 1986.

See  Kim Seng (right) in KL colurs in defence with teammate Chow Siew Yai

It was Dr Josef Veglos who took charge of the KL team in 1987, that converted Kim Seng from a striker to a defender. He played for KL till 1992 (wining the Malaysia Cup for a record three times – 1987-1989), before moving to Negri Sembilan for two years before he called it quits.

Kim Seng standing back row far right with KL Malaysia Cup team with their trophies  1988 treble champions Malaysia Cup, League Cup and Charity Shield

As a national player he has a winner’s medal from the 1989 Sea Games under English coach Trevor Hartley and a 1993 Merdeka tournament medal under Australian coach Ken Worden besides playing in the World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers and King’s Cup in Thailand where he captained the team.

“I am glad that I have managed my life well after football and in something totally unrelated to football. My advice to young footballers is not just look at jobs related to football after the playing days. Venture out and take whatever opportunities are available and work hard it to make it a success.

“I am also glad that besides having done well in business, I have also educated my children well and also got them involved in sports,” said Kim Seng proudly, whose wife, Wong Show Mei was a Tanggak district volleyball player.

His youngest daughter, See Wye, who turns 13 on Aug 29, is his apple of the eye and competes in the SportsExcel Junior Golf Circuit and has represented SportExcel at the New Delhi Junior Open championship last year.

See Wye a student of SMK Bukit Jelutong, also excels rhythmic gymnastics having had podium finishes in several events, including the Vitrigo International Championship, Pesta Gimnastik (champion, group exercise) and the Selangor Schools Sports Council (MSSS) competition.

Kim Seng said he is equally proud of his other siblings, See Min, 26, (former Bukit Jalil Sports School and wushu junior national champion and now nutritionist at National Sports Institute), See Man, 23, (third year law student at Multimedia University, See Moon, 22 (graduate in Language from Universiti Malaya specialising in Italian) and See Won, 21 (waiting for entry to University). Both See Moon and See Won, also represented Selangor schools in rhythmic gymnastics.

Kim Seng with his princess standing from left  see Min, See Mon, See Man and See Won  and seated from left wife Doris Wong Show Mei and youngest daughter See Wye

 “I tried to get my other daughters involved in golf but they complained it was too hot. See Wye was different. She didn’t complain about the heat at all and from the way she swings the club and I saw natural talent” said Kim Seng of See Wye whom he introduced to the game when she was eight.

While Kim Seng admitted that he spends most of his time now at his seafood restaurant, starting as early as 7am to buy the seafood from the fishing village and open his shop from 11am to midnight, he was not going to neglect to see See Wye become a top women golfer.

His wife now manages the driving range besides her own business of cleaning services.

Former veteran international. a member of the 1972 Munich Oympics qualifying tournament in Seoul, V. Kalimutu, drops by at Attapa Seafood to support Kim Seng

While Kim Seng does not do the cooking and has hired experienced cooks, he is still busy at the restaurant taking orders, managing the cash register and making sure the food is served fast besides being the public relation man talking to his customers.

Kim Seng taking order at his restaurant

Kim Seng keeps his prices very affordable because most of his customers are from Banting and not all of them are doing well.

He also sponsors one or two tables each other for poor families around the area working with the Community Service centres.

Among his specialities and favourites among his customers are Pari Fish Curry, Fried sotong, Dried chilli chicken and Chilli Crab.

Nestled in a shed of trees, the hut-styled seating for privacy or for bigger groups at the main restaurant, it is Located at Lot 325, Jalan Pulau Banting, 42700, Banting, and open from 11.30am to 11.00pm.

ENDS

REUNION SPARKS IDEA TO SET UP TRAINING CENTRE IN KKB

Tony Mariadass

After 30 years three best 800m runners of the 80s, B. Rajkumar, R. Haridas and Samsom Vallabouy, met up for a nostalgic reunion in Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) over the weekend recently.

The trio, together with three other Perak state runners – middle-distance runner David Anthony, Victor Rayapan - long distance runner (1,500m and 5,00m), and hurdler Tamil Chelvam (400m hurdles), who joined the reunion together with former athlete, coach and administrator, M. Latchumanan, at Rajkumar’s chalet resort in KKB.

Tamil is currently the president of the Perak Masters Athletics Association (PMAA), Samson the vice-president and Latchumanan the secretary.

The KKB reunion- from left to right Victor Rayapan Tamil Chelvam M. Latchumanan B. Rajkumar David Anthony R. Haridas and Samson Vallabuoy

“This is a rare gathering after 30 years as we spent time reminiscing the glorious days when middle distance running was so keenly competed and of a high standard. We were a feared lot in the region” said the 58-year-old Haridas, 58, who won the AFT bronze medal in the 800m in 1987 and was a national athlete from 1982 to 1989.

“It was great to spend a day talking about the good old days and catching up with each other’s progress in life.”

All three who had former national middle distance coach, A. Trapadi, handle them, also made a call to him to inform him of their reunion.

Trapadi spoke to all three of them and so happy that the three had kept in touch and wished them all well.

In a text message sent to Rajkumar after the phone call, Trapadi wrote: “Raj, I feel very happy to see all three of you together. Keep the friendship for life. I am proud of you all being successful in athletics and in your chosen career. My regards to both of them. Hope to meet all of you sometime.”

“We will have another gathering soon and will definitely have our coach Trapadi present,” said Rajkumar.

The top 800m runners of the 80s from left Haridas, Rajkumar and Samson

David Anthony said: “This is indeed a rare honour to be among three legends of middle distance runners.

“I used to compete against them in local and State meets and became good friends. But I left after my athletics career to work in Singapore for almost a decade.

“I returned to my hometown in Ipoh after that, but while I meet the others in Ipoh regularly, this is this first time I am meeting Rajkumar, Haridas and Samson together. It was simply great to meet them after all these years and we had a lot of catching up to do.

“I will always remember this day forever.” 

While reminiscing the good old times, all of them unanimously decided they want to give back to the sports and groom middle and long distance runners.

“We have decided that we want to organise a middle-distance runners Kem Bakat (Talent Camp) to select top athletes in view of setting up a permanent training centre,” said Rajkumar the 55-year-old, former Asian champion, who broke the national men’s 800m record by clocking 1:47.37 to win the gold medal in the Asian Track and Field (ATF) Championships in Jakarta in 1985 and is holds the current national record after 35 years.

 “This is the fourth time I am offering to assist to set up a training centre in Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) and I hope this time around MAF will respond and work with us,” said Rajkumar, who was born and bred in this small, quiet and sleepy town.

“KKB is scenic and quiet place ideal for training, has all the facilities and the hilly terrain here is ideal for middle distance training. After all, I was spotted and trained here by coach Trapadi and did well for a small town boy.

“Trapadi, the former national coach is retired now and will be our technical advisor and we have another two IAAF certified coaches to assist, besides all of us, to groom the budding athletes.”

Rajkumar first offered his services and his hostel accommodation, when he revived and organised road relay the inaugural KKB 21km Road Relay in 2016.

He then offered his services again last year, to assist national middle distance runner Savinder Kaur, upon her return from Kenya, where she had gone for a five-week training stint after securing enough funds.

Then, Rajkumar and two other former national athletes Samret Singh (hammer thrower) and Papu Ignatius (long distance runner and former national coach), who shone in the golden days of Malaysian athletics, expressed their interest to set up grassroots centres in KKB, Kuala Lumpur and Penang respectively, and again there was no response from MAF or the National Sports Council (NSC).

“I don’t know why, but athletics officials at national or state are not keen to take up our offer to assist and give back to the sports. I have made offer in my State in Perak, but it has fallen deaf ears,” said the 54-year Samson who has competed set the Sea Games record in 1991 in his second Games and has experience of competing at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, World championship in Tokyo in 1991 and Asian Track and Field championship (ATF) in 1989 and 1991.

“I now assist young athletes through programmes organised by my club - Panthers Athletics Club headed by former national coach K. Jayabalan in Ipoh - and also the PMAA.

“But KKB is an ideal place to set up the training centre and we have decided we will do hope we can get some assistance or collaboration from the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF), National Sports Council (NSC) or even Perak AA MAF.”

Samson who is former national athlete from 1984 to 1991, who is married to former national middle distance star, Josephine Mary, said that although he is based in Ipoh, he is doing some work around KKB and will be staying at least three days a week in KKB.

“Josephine is also keen to assist in the training camp, as she will be here with me too,” said Samson, whose 20-year daughter Shereen is also a national middle distance runner who is currently undergoing her four-year degree in Physical Education at the Winona State University (WSU), Minnesota.

Haridas, who is running a sports shop business for the last 25 years, said he was prepared to come to KKB a few days each week to assist in the training centre.

“I am a self-trained athlete from Mentakab, who started running around on a beaten-up 200m track in the estates. I wasted two years (from 17-years-old to 19) running in long distance events (1,500m and 5,000m),” recalled Haridas.

“Finally, when I tired the 800m for the first time at the Pahang Open meet, I broke the state record and then on went to become a national athlete, where I finally had a coach in Trapadi,” said Haridas.

“Many a talent, especially in middle distance where we find very few athletes these days, have not been discovered or not nurtured to become champions. This is where we hope to play a role and regain the glorious days of middle-distance runners like us,” said Haridas who is known of playing the ‘rabbit’ at the ATF in Jakarta in 1985, where Rajkumar not only won the race, but in record time.

Recalling the race strategy, Haridas said: “Both of us were sub 1:50 runners and had a chance to win. But team manager Dr M. Jegathesan felt that we needed a race strategic to ensure we won the gold medal and felt that Rakjumar had a better chance to win the race. He asked me to run a consistent run to time 50.5 sec for the first 400m to pull the other potential winners in the race.

Newspaper picture of the keen rivalary between Rajkumar and Haridas who won this 800m race at the 1987 MAAU national meet in Kota Kinabalu.

“I was not at all disappointed with the decision because it was decision made for Malaysia to win the gold and I am glad that I played the role.”

Haridas finished the race fourth and went to win the bronze in the following ATF meet 1987.

Rajkumar and his mates, hopes that the MAF, president, Datuk S.M. Muthu, NSC or even Perak AA, will take up his offer to set up a training centre in KKB.

Rajkumar said if the offer is not taken up or support given by the relevant parties, he is just going to look for one or two potential athletes and train them on his own with the hope to make the champions one day.

Ends.