Time to crack the whip, FAM (The Malay Mail)

I wrote this piece for the Valley Voice column in The Malay Mail which appeared on 10th April 1995.
17 years down the road, I am just wondering how much has changed. or how many things are still relevant.
Have we moved forward or still making the same mistakes and the game has not improved either.
You be the judge of it.
Happy reading.

THE Premier League will go fully professional next season after seven
years since its birth as a semi-pro competition.
  But in tandem with full professionalism, it is high time for the FA of
Malaysia to crack the whip on errant or deadwood FAs.
  For a start, FAM should stop pampering the state FAs.
  Let them fend for themselves. Stop spoon-feeding them with the yearly
handout of RM500,000, which is only a minimum.
  At the beginning when the League was in its infancy, it was fine to help
the  States get prepared with financial aid.
  The States have learnt to walk, so to speak, and it is about time, they
learn to be independent.
  State FAs have often complained about difficulties in securing
additional funds because of the existing circumstances.
  The barrier that holds back other sponsors are the advantages being
enjoyed by the major sponsors and co-sponsors of the League and FAM.
  The existing sponsors have the rights to prominent advertising space at
stadiums and players' jerseys.
  As a result, other sponsors are reluctant to come in because they feel
that they don't get a good deal. They either shy away, have conflicting
interest or come in only for a token sum.
  As this is the main complaint, FAM should put the State FAs to a test by
stopping the annual financial contribution and let them get their own
sponsors.
  One can look at it this way. The States FAs are not really earnest in
hunting for sponsors because they know the money from FAM is ready for
them annually.
  As a result, they make little efforts to raise funds or look into other
avenues.
  To be fair, several States do really try to improve themselves. With
proper management, they have ventured into business like sports management
and are doing well.
  There are some lucky ones who have their State Governments helping them
financially. This again makes the State FAs sit down comfortably and
forget their tasks.
  In some cases, even with the FAM subsidies, the State FAs still have
problems managing their set-ups because of lavish spending because the
money they spend is not through their efforts.
  When the very people who were asked to quit their jobs and turn full
professionals got short-changed, the errant State FAs should be hauled up.
  This season, there were several States who have had problems paying the
wages of their players, even running into arrears of two months and more.
  And last season, many players caught for match-fixing in Malaysia's
biggest soccer scandal, claimed that they had to resort to accepting
bribery because their salaries were often not paid on time.
  Of course, that is not an excuse for them to be corrupted, but it was
one factor which State FAs should have recognised and prevented.
  Then, we have State FAs offering substantial bonuses to players for
winning matches but can they afford them?
  It is all right if the State FAs can make these payouts, but some States
have run into debts because they cannot fulfil their promises to the
players.
  But the question is, when the players are professionals and are paid to
do their jobs, why pay them bonuses for wins when it is their duty to do
so.
  It should be more rational to reward the players at the end of the
season or when they qualify for the Malaysia Cup or progress further.
  But when we get State FAs paying bonuses for winning matches but not
winning any honours at the end of the season, one wonders what the bonuses
were for. For failure, perhaps?
  The State FA will have to get their act together for the new season
because there are many unprofessional things occurring in the respective
associations.
  The FAM have even spoon-fed the State FAs by supplying office equipment
like computers, television sets, video-players, photo-stating machines, to
name a few, but there were still certain States who could not operate
efficiently.
  In some States, the Press covering matches even have difficulties
getting team-lists, let alone decent table and chairs to work on.
  Maybe the State FAs have got very comfortable with the handouts from FAM
that they do not want to raise their fingers to get things in order.
  The subsidy given by FAM includes money to be spent on youth development
and administration but there are still many State FAs who have neglected
this.
  They use the bulk or even all the money for their Premier League team,
which includes tours and expensive foreign signings but have nothing to
show at the end of the season.
  There are some State FAs who do not even budget their expenditure for
the season.
  They end up either depending on gate collections, which is not a
guaranteed source of income, or running back to the FAM for advances from
their next season's subsidy!
  There have been times when FAM had to bail out the State FAs after they
could fulfill their obligations to foreign players, who had sought Fifa's
interference.
  If the national body had not bailed out these State FAs, the former
could have ended in hot soup with the international soccer body.
  FAM's current contract with the major sponsors end in 1997 and probably,
it is about time they review the current trend of supporting the State FAs
in line with the League going professional.
  FAM could still secure the sponsors, but use the funds for the various
national teams, national development of coaches, youth development and
technical areas.
  It is also time that only those teams who can manage themselves
independently, which will automatically see them taking a more
professional approach in all aspects because the profit and loss ledger at
the end of the year will determine their very survival, are allowed to
play in the Professional League.
  State FAs who cannot manage themselves well or cannot afford to play in
the Professional League should probably take part in the Amateur League
until a time when they are ready to join the higher echelons.
  It does not matter if we can only get eight States who are financially
sound to play in the Professional League because we will at least get a
League with the minimum of problems and a high-quality performance where
the competition will be much keener with all teams fighting to come out
tops. And ultimately, this will put more money in their kitty.
  Food for thought, FAM.

It's about being consistently good (22/08/2003 - The Malayl Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 22/08/2003
Headline : It's about being consistently good


EXCELLENCE in sports is about consistently performing at a high level and
champions are only true champions when they repeat their performances.
We have to educate our athletes that champions are made of stern stuff
and would remain on top for a period of time.
In some ways, the sports system in Malaysia is partly to be blamed for
one shot wonders.
The authorities and general public get all excited with any form of
achievements. This is because Malaysians are starved of achievements and
go overboard in praising any success.
Then, of course, the large rewards for mediocre achievements see
athletes losing sight of their ultimate goal, and fizzle out in most
cases.
It's time to review the National Incentive Scheme and replace it with a
pension-like scheme with higher payouts after retirement based on the
number of years as a national athlete and the achievements during that
time.
This way, it will definitely see our national athletes strive harder to
not only stay longer in their respective sports, but to continue to work
hard to get results after results. Otherwise, they will be at the losing
end.
Just look at the number of athletes who have had a yo-yo performance
after a good outing, took their time to return to the top or in some cases
just just disappeared from the scene.
Names like Hidayat Hamidon, Sapok Biki, Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim and Hafiz
Hashim should ring a bell.
But, at the same time, we have athletes who are dedicated, disciplined
and determined to go higher each time they compete or, at worst, are
consistent with their performance.
We certainly cannot fault athletes who work hard and try their level
best but are unable to achieve the desired results because of tough
competition.
And, surprisingly, many of the athletes who have done well and continue
to strive hard are those who make sacrifices - like those who have to
divide their time between studies and sports or those who have gone
professional.
Among the athletes who have often given reasons for cheers time and
again include sailor Kevin Lim, cyclist Josiah Ng, shuttler Wong Choong
Hann, bowler Shalin Zulkifli, karate exponent S. Premila, swimmer Lim Keng
Liat and squash player Ong Beng Yee.
It is about time the rest of the Malaysian athletes emulated these
athletes to give Malaysian sports a more permanent ranking in the world
arena.
One just has to look at Tiger Woods or the Williams sisters to understand
what champions are all about.
Of course asking our athletes to emulate these icons would be asking too
much of them but they certainly can start somewhere to be more
consistently successful, at least in this region, for all the money spent
on them and sports in general in the country.

The hearts of our fans lie abroad (15/08/2003 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 15/08/2003
Headline : The hearts of our fans lie abroad


IT is sad that the Malaysia Cup kicking off next Wednesday is not getting
the same attention from the local fans who are more excited about the
English Premier League (EPL).
The new EPL season starting tomorrow is the talk in schools, offices,
streets, restaurants, pubs, warong, and even in the toilets!
Even Malaysian women are getting excited over it.
Last Sunday at a street soccer party in Bangsar during the launch of the
New Straits Times special pullout, EPLplus, about 5,000 fans packed Jalan
Telawi 3 to watch the Community Shield match between Manchester United and
Arsenal.
It was a fantastic response to a match played thousands of miles away.
Ironically, on the same night in Penang, the Malaysia Cup draw was made
without much hype.
The next day, folk were still excited about the Community Shield match
but there was hardly any talk of the Malaysia Cup draw.
Without doubt, the EPL and European Champions League have captured the
imagination of Malaysian fans in a big way - thanks to the live telecast
of many matches from the continent and wide coverage in Malaysian
newspapers.
Teams like the Red Devils have Malaysian fans so much in thrall that
they suffer withdrawal symptoms when the EPL season ended. Many just did
not know how to spend their time in the evenings while many woke up in the
middle of the night, disappointed there was no live telecast.
On the other hand, during the M-League, teams were playing to half-
filled or near-empty stadiums across the country. Malaysian fans no longer
talk about their local teams or players.
Even the giants like Selangor have lost their allure.
What is happening to Malaysian soccer?
Talk to any fan on the street, and he will say that the standards of
Malaysian soccer have suffered.
Or is it because these fans have acquired a taste for foreign soccer
that they start comparing Malaysian players with the foreign teams?
Whatever it is, there is no denying that Malaysian soccer standards have
dropped drastically.

Let's go back to being amateurs! (23/06/2003 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 23/06/2003
Headline : Let's go back to being amateurs!


SOCCER players are the highest paid sportsmen in the country, but their
performances and achievements left much to be desired. Khalid Jamlus
getting the stick from Perak FA is another example of a player who thinks
he is a prima donna when in actual fact, his performance is far from
anywhere near top quality.
Khalid is probably the best among the worst but yet he can get carried
away with his status.
Once too often, we have had players skipping training, giving lacklustre
performances, keeping late nights, reporting late for training, choosing
when and which tournament to play, faking injuries, etc.
Maybe, we should go back to the good old amateur days when the standard
of the game was far better and the players more disciplined and committed.
As amateurs and with work to do, the players will at least be fully
occupied and not have the luxury of whiling away the hours at nightspots,
sleeping away the days and loitering at shopping complexes with
girlfriends. Some have even been implicated in drug and rape cases.
One of the main reasons for today's poor state of the game is that every
player who calls himself a professional, does not have a clue of what the
word "professionalism" means.
Professional soccer status should only be accorded to the best in the
country and this means only those who make the national team. That will
make players strive for excellence to get full contracts and enjoy the
benefits of playing fulltime soccer.
The national back-up squad players too should be considered for full
time playing status if it means better training facilities, exposure and
coaching.
The rest should only be given amateur contracts and they will have to
find a job to supplement their allowances from playing soccer.
Today, every Ali, Muthu and Ah Chong is a professional player in the M-
League. Let's face it. We are not ready for professional soccer although
we have gone into it since the 90s because the State FAs and clubs
themselves do not conduct themselves as professional outfits.
They have made the M-League a circus and it is no surprise that we have
clowns playing the game.
Many of the players believe they are God's gift to the game when in
actual fact they cannot hold a candle to others from many of our
neighboring countries.
To make matters worse, when these so called professionals do not conduct
themselves well, the laws protect them. Even to get rid of them from a
team take a long process, and the real losers are the employers, the game
and the paying fans.
And when FAM do everything possible to improve the game, including
sending the so called cream of the nation for overseas stints, these
players come running back with all sorts of excuses - bad weather, food,
language, injury and just about everything else.
Is it a surprise that players from Thailand, China, India, Japan, and
Korea have all gone on to a higher level? These players have made
sacrifices, have the passion, are disciplined, and above all, have
ambitions.

Cloak-and-dagger (27/11/2002 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 27/11/2002
Headline : Cloak-and-dagger

IT is baffling that the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) are not
revealing the names of the contenders for the various posts at their
elections on Dec 14.
OCM secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said he has his reasons for not
revealing the nominations as there is bound to be changes. As such, OCM
need to ask those who have been nominated whether they are really
interested in the post or have been nominated without their consent.
He also said the full list of names can only be released on Nov 30 after
the final day for acceptance of nominations by the candidates.
"The candidates still have two weeks to campaign if they want," he said.
But that is not the point.
The public should be informed of those nominated because being nominated
itself is an honour for the candidates and it reflects confidence in his
ability.
It does not matter whether the candidate chooses to stand for election
or not.
There are some who argue that if the name of the nominee was released
and the person decides to withdraw, it will be embarrassing.
What matters here is the fact that the public and the sports fraternity
especially, need to know who has been nominated.
When nominations closed on Nov 14, OCM president Tunku Imran Tuanku
Ja'afar, Sieh and Datuk Kee Yong Wee were the incumbents returned
unopposed.
However, there were three nominations for the deputy-president's post,
currently held by Tan Sri Khir Johari. Khir has indicated that he will not
seek re-election.
There were 13 nominations, including three women, for the five vice
president posts. There is a provision to reserve one vice president post
for a woman but since there are three nominations, one will fill the
automatic seat with two challenging for the remaining four posts.
The five incumbent vice-presidents are Datuk Khalid Yunus, Datuk M.
Jegathesan, W.Y. Chin, Datuk Syed Mohamed Aidid and Norminshah Sabirin.
All five have been nominated and they will defend their seats.
Incumbent assistant secretaries Mohamed Fadzil Othman and Latifah Ya'cob
will be challenged by two men and one woman.
For the assistant treasurer's post, currently held by S. Jahendran,
there were three nominations.
The talk in the corridors of OCM is that one of the reasons for the
secrecy on nomination is because of attempts by some parties to ask the
nominees not to stand for certain posts.
It is learnt that Fadzil is not seeking re-election as assistant
secretary.
Former NSC director of international preparations and BAM general
manager Phua Tai Neng, and National Association of Archery Malaysia's Mej
(R) Baharuddin Jamil have been nominated for the post.
OCM have already sent out letters to all the nominees asking them for
acceptance and one nominee confirmed that he received his letter
yesterday. Another said there was an added note in the letter asking him
to see an OCM official.
Certainly, there can be more transparency in OCM. All these speculations
will only undermine their credibility.

Review of national incentive scheme in order (13/11/2002 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 13/11/2002
Headline : Review of national incentive scheme in order

THE sooner the national incentive scheme is revised, the better it will be
for sports in the country.
Once too often we have heard of athletes wanting to quit the moment they
get the windfall from the incentive scheme given out by the National
Sports Council.
Weightlifter Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim had planned on quitting but later
said he wanted to take a year's break to study. Karate exponents S.
Premila and M. Srirajarajeswari intend to quit after the world
championships next year.
Amriul was a triple gold medal winner at the Commonwealth Games, with
Premila winning gold in Busan while Srirajarajeswari taking a bronze.
Gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games were worth
RM80,000, while silver was RM40,000 and bronze RM20,000.
NSC not only pay out these bonuses for victory, but also finance
athletes and associations in their development and training, which
includes overseas exposure and monthly allowances for the athletes.
And when NSC spend so much money to see the athletes reach the highest
level possible, it is surely not for one-off achievements. They would reap
long-term benefits.
Of course, when the athlete can no longer perform because of the higher
level of competition, age or serious injury, they can gracefully bow out.
But more often than not, athletes bow out much earlier, especially when
they receive lucrative payouts.
It is for this reason that the incentive scheme formula has to be
reviewed. They should only be given a portion immediately with the rest
being invested into a saving and pension scheme.
The Korean system encourages athletes to remain in the sport longer as
the pension scheme and dividends they receive correspond with achievement.
There is a need to look again at proposals made in 1997. They allowed
NSC to enter into an agreement with the sport association and athletes
that they served the nation for a certain number of years.
However, for some reason, the NSC board rejected the proposals.
For the record, RM12,328,238 had been paid out since 1986 (when the
scheme was launched) until last year.
For the Commonwealth Games in Manchester this year, RM1,564,000 was paid
out to the 33 medal-winners (seven gold, nine silver and 18 bronze
medals), coaches and associations.
For 2001 alone, RM1,204,061.50 was paid, out of which RM775,500 was for
achievements at the SEA Games.
In 2000, the total was RM450,200, whereas in 1999, it was RM968,900.
These figures do not include the money spent preparing for the various
Games. For instance, RM40 million was spent on preparations for last
year's SEA Games.

Don't do this to Kevin (10/10/2002 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 10/10/2002
Headline : Don't do this to Kevin

IT will indeed be a sad day for Malaysian sports if the National Sports
Council (NSC) go ahead in lessening their support for sailor Kevin Lim
Leong Keat, who won a silver (in the Laser event) in Busan, in his
preparations for the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Kevin, who turned 26 on Sept 24, was reported as saying on Tuesday he
was concerned that the NSC financial backing may be affected following his
failure to win the gold. He needs RM150,000 for next year's programme.
It was also reported that as far as NSC are concerned, Kevin has been
given enough time to prove himself and that they will have to review his
funding.
But consider this. The final year medical student has made sacrifices.
If not for sailing, he will have finished his studies at Australia's New
South Wales University in six years instead of eight years.
He postponed a year of his studies in 2000 to train for the Sydney
Olympics. The fact that Kevin has more often than not won medals, be it at
SEA Games or Asian level, and is still eyeing success in his third
Olympics, speaks of his ability and determination.
If Malaysia have more athletes like Kevin, sports in the country will be
making waves.
Kevin is studying to be a doctor. not sports science or anything like
that. His studies may be tough but yet he has given time to national
duties. That's commendable, to say the least.
It will be too drastic a move to knock the financial winds out of
Kevin's sails just because he didn't meet the NSC target of gold in Busan.
And it is not that he finished a disappointing fifth or so. He was second
in Asia, up there on the podium.
Kevin's silver efforts should be appreciated for he had gone on to Busan
after suffering a back injury weeks earlier at the Laser World
championships at Cape Cod, United States, and it had forced him to pull
out with three races to go.
In Busan, the gold was won by Korean Kim Ho Kon, who rose to the
occasion in his own backyard. In the Sydney Olympics, Kevin had finished
ahead of Kim.
Kevin has been given a scholarship by the Sports Ministry to study
medicine. After having supported him for much of the way, it would be
cruel to pull the plug on him at this stage.
As it is costly to hire coaches in Australia fulltime, he has opted to
get coaches on hourly rates. And he has managed to train with Olympics
silver medallist Michael Blackburn.

KEVIN'S LIST OF ACHIEVEMENTS
1990 - Beijing Asian Games (fourth in Optimist)
1994 - Hiroshima Asian Games (fourth in Laser)
1995 - Bangkok Sea Games (bronze)
1996 - Atlanta Olympics (38th)
1997 - Jakarta Sea Games (gold)
1998 - Bangkok Asian Games (silver)
1999 - World Laser championship, Melbourne (65th)
2000 - World Laser championship, Mexico (48th), NSW & ACT State Laser
champion
2000 - Sydney Olympics (22nd)
2001 - KL SEA Games (gold)
2001 - runnerup at the 10th Asian championships in Busan
2001 - 49th in the 2001 Laser World championships in Ireland.
2002 - Sail Sydney 2002 International Regatta - winner
2002 - Port Stephen Winter Paradise Regatta - winner
2002 - World Laser championship, Cape Cod, USA - gold fleet - opted out
with three races to go because of back injury - 59th out of 66 in fleet.

Local coaches left out of W-Cup picture (30/05/2002 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 30/05/2002
Headline : Local coaches left out of W-Cup picture


IT is sad Malaysian coaches will not get an opportunity to witness the
World Cup, starting tomorrow in Korea and Japan, despite the countries'
close proximity.
While a group of FA of Malaysia Council members left on Monday and
another entourage last night to witness the opening match between France
and Senegal, local coaches were not on board those two flights.
Members of the FAM Council are either respective State FA presidents or
their administrators.
While it should be lauded that the national body - in recognising these
members' services towards the development of Malaysian soccer, FAM should
have also considered the benefits of sending at least a few top local
coaches to witness a few of the matches.
No doubt the council members would be witnessing the World Cup opener,
but money would have been more wisely spent to send a few coaches, even if
the trip was through sponsorship.
While it would probably cost more to send a technical study group of
local coaches, allowing some of them to watch the World Cup matches would
lead to a better understanding of the demands and changes in the game, as
well as the various systems played.
These coaches could even return and prepare a book on their experiences
and their observations, which could be distributed all their peers in the
country.
For the last World Cup in France, Japan sent 40 of their coaches to do
their own comprehensive technical study.
Maybe Malaysia do not have so many coaches to conduct technical studies,
but they have a handful who took part in technical studies during the 1997
Youth World Cup here.
FAM also have a youth section and technical Department, both headed by
their deputy president, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (above). And it
is not too late to make arrangements to send a few coaches from these
departments and maybe a few top local coaches to garner first-hand
experience as the World Cup is for a month.
Though FIFA will also be conducting their own technical study as in
every World Cup, with end reports distributed to all countries, it is
nothing like the local coaches being there to personally absorb the World
Cup experience.
In previous overseas study tours, also organised by the FAM, many
officials who were hardly involved with the game at coaching level were
part of the entourages that returned without providing any feedback at
all.
We cannot allow this scenario to go on.
If Malaysian soccer is to progress, the coaches have to be exposed to
high-level matches and coaching methods, just like players need tough
opponents.
And FAM must take every opportunity to send coaches overseas on study or
technical tours so that they can keep up with the modern trends of the
game and not be left behind in years.
For the first time in its history, the World Cup is being played on
Asian soil and being so close to Malaysia, it would indeed be a pity if
FAM do not grasp this opportunity that would benefit local coaches.
The Asian Football Confederation headquarters are in Kuala Lumpur, but
if we are not going to exploit the chance to work closely to get the
maximum benefits, it will indeed be a crying shame.

Over to you, Mr Minister! (27/01/2000 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 27/01/2000
Headline : Over to you, Mr Minister!


DATUK Hishammuddin Hussein must surely be considering the timing of his
appointment as Youth and Sports Minister.
His appointment was in early December and he replaced Tan Sri Muhyiddin
Yassin.
The controversy that has now shaken the bowling fraternity will be an
acid test of his calibre. How he handles the crisis will not only be
watched by sporting circles but also scrutinised by his political
contemporaries.
Fourteen national bowlers resigned after issuing an ultimatum to the
Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress that national coach, Sid Allen, be
removed.
Neither impressed nor amused, MTBC accepted the resignations and issued
the bowlers with their own ultimatum - apologise publicly if they ever
want to bowl for the country again.
Hishammuddin is expected to meet MTBC president Datuk Dr P. S. Nathan
and the 14 bowlers separately today.
Hishammuddin is unsure if the decision by MTBC is the best solution
though he understands the reasons behind it. But he is more concerned
about the interest of the sport and the nation.
He is, however, expected to direct the bowlers to return to the fold.
Hishammuddin has to strike a fine balance when he does make a decision.
On one hand, the grouses by the bowlers may be genuine but on the other,
he could open a can of worms if he allows "player power".
He cannot be seen to undermine national associations either.
The next few days will be crucial.
There are indications that the National Sports Council (NSC) and Sports
Ministry officials have leaned in favour of the bowlers.
There are suggestions that if one man - Allen - is the problem, then he
should be the one to go. But the question is - will justice be served?
Removing Allen will be the simple way out, not necessarily the right one.
We are all governed by rules and regulations. Just because a few people
take to the streets does not make their cause a noble one.
If authority bows to pressure, the end results would be anarchy and
chaos.
Your move, Mr Minister!

Gloomy stars (07/11/1999 - Sunday Mail)

Publication : SUM
Date : 07/11/1999
Headline : Gloomy stars


IT is happening again. In the Malaysia Cup, the insufferable soccer stars
are letting their teams down. When you think they do not try hard enough
at international level, they are proving to be lazy at home too.
To the consternation of their employers, the supposed cream of Malaysian
soccer have gone sour in their performances as the states battle for
Malaysia Cup semifinal qualification with two matches left.
One can empathise with national coach Abdul Rahman Ibrahim for being
less inclined to choose stars while going for less skillful players who
have more passion for the Malaysian shirt.
In retrospect, during the preparation for September's Brunei SEA Games,
Mailsport had warned Rahman not to depend too much on the established
players for they have been known to be a let-down when it matters.
True enough, they dragged Malaysia's soccer reputation further down the
pits by getting humiliated 2-1 by Singapore and getting whacked 6-0 by
Indonesia.
The indifferent players would not feel the hurt but for Rahman, the
Brunei episode numbed him to the marrow and taught him never to trust
stars again.
But on familiar ground, on the M-League stage where they have been
strutting, a place where their employers thought they would save their
best for, the stars are turning out to be duds.
It is no coincidence that the teams with the stars are the ones having a
stormy time in the Malaysia Cup competition.
Pahang and Penang, the best two teams of the M-League in the past two
seasons, star-studded Negri Sembilan and 28-time Malaysia Cup champions
Selangor are not even among the frontrunners in the race to the
semifinals.
Look at their positions in the Malaysia Cup table. They are left uneasy
and squirming. A good team are just not measured by the number of stars on
their side but by consistency.
Everything points to the hotshots holding back in their performances and
far from being the professionals they claim to be.
Whether their performances have anything to do with their differences
with their State FAs over late payment of wages and bonuses is another
matter.
In any case, as professionals, they cannot allow these problems to
affect their performances.
If they have problems, they should go through the proper channels and
not take them nto the playing field and take paying fans for a ride.
So much so, Negri coach Irfan Bakti Abu Salim has come out in the open
to say that his key players have let him down. Selangor coach K. Rajagopal
and team manager Datuk Mokhtar Ahmad said their team can play like
champions one day and novices next day.
Penang's Moey Yok Ham is too much of a gentleman to take his players to
task but that is probably the very reason why the Panthers are facing
uncertainty in the Malaysia Cup semifinal battle. Pahang, also well armed
to the teeth, are in the same boat.
Coming back to the national team where as Rahman picks his Asian Cup
training squad, uppermost in his mind will be whether the boys will play
their hearts out for the nation.
Probably the best way is to invite M-Leaguers who think they have the
heart and passion for the Malaysian shirt to turn up at Wisma FAM where
Rahman can make his selection from there.
It is sad that we have to resort to ideas like this when players should
give their right arm to play for the country.
At this stage, Rahman is indeed right to say he gets better satisfaction
from a bunch of players with lesser talent but with the heart to perform
then spoilt stars.
Anyone out there with the heart and passion for the Malysian shirt?
Stand up and be counted.

Enough of half-baked schemes (29/09/1999 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 29/09/1999
Headline : Enough of half-baked schemes


WE seem to be missing the essence of it. Malaysian soccer, trying to
regain lost flavour, is being treated like instant noodles.
While it is heartening that the powers-that-be are putting extra
emphasis on development by having long term plans, the attempt to "curry
it" with a quick fix is very much evident.
The fact that the Ministry of Education, together with FAM and State
FAs, have embarked on making soccer a more serious sport in schools with
year round programmes is indeed welcoming.
As Malaysian international soccer standards stew in bad taste, don't
talk about fast results when it comes to development. The very word
"development" in the dictionary means something that grows or changes over
a period of time into a better form.
But it is disturbing to hear of the annoucement that Malaysian soccer
fortunes will be determined in three to six months.
This came about with the challenge thrown to Briton Allan Harris, who is
expected to coach the national Under-21 team for the KL 2001 Sea Games.
Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, head of the FAM technical committee,
had said they wanted to see Harris bring instant results.
Harris has been offered a three-plus-six month contract during which the
committee are expected to evaluate his performance. While Harris comes
with impressive credentials, he surely cannot be expected to be a Midas.
If Harris had that kind of capabilities, he would certainly be the most
sought after coach in the soccer world.
Are FAM being impatient? Or is it that they have to "play along" with
the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Sports who
apparently are results oriented?
Short term goals have happened once too many times in Malaysian soccer,
leading to a curtailing effect. What can be expected of Harris in six
months? It all boils down to the material that is available and how our
players can be moulded.
If Harris can really produce results in six months, it only means one
thing -that Malaysian soccer has talents that are already polished. And if
that is the case, why do we need a foreigner to work the levers to make a
formidable team out of them?
The sad truth is that Malaysian players have a poor foundation of the
game. And even at national level, coaches end up having to teach them the
basics, not to mention professional ethics.
Under the circumstances, for any coach to cook up a winning combination
overnight is impossible.
It was no different when Ronald Smith was appointed FAM Director of
Coaching a few months ago. He was offered a one-year contract with an
option for another year.
Do we expect results in one or two years when the work involves
development? Probably, a five-year contract with an option for another
five would have been justifiable.
Sure, FAM need to evaluate their employees first before any long-term
commitment. But is it fair to assess people on short terms when their very
tasks involve development which means a lengthy process?
When a coach is appointed, his credentials and past records will have
been scrutinised. From this exercise itself, FAM would have a good idea
of his calibre. Sure, the risk factor is always there but we have to live
with it.
When coaches are given short-term contracts and asked to produce
results, they would be inclined to go for proven players and inevitably
the same old players hog the limelight.
With short term contracts, coaches would be unwilling to spend time
working with players or experiment with ideas.
The big side-effect of this is that Malaysian soccer ended up having a
`rojak' coaching system as coaches come and go.
Can we all be a just little more patient? Be ready to go for that extra-
time goal if Malaysian soccer is to be a winner.

More bite, less bark (19/09/1999 - Sunday Mail)

Publication : SUM
Date : 19/09/1999
Headline : More bite, less bark



MALAYSIAN soccer players need to be kept on a short leash to stop the game
from going to the dogs.
Drastic measures are needed to arrest the rot and rehabilitate the
system that is littered with players without a clue to the meaning of
professionalism.
The rape of Malaysian soccer reputation has gone on for far too long -
leading to our degradation by seemingly impotent teams like the
Philippines, Laos and Singapore.
Something has to be done, starting with the attitude and behaviour of
the players who are making a mockery of the word `professionalism.' And
last week, several young players from Negri Sembilan were alleged to have
gang-raped a salesgirl.
The only thing our players equate professional soccer with is money,
never mind that their performances shortchange the fans. How they look is
more important than the waning texture of their game.
Going for the latest soccer boots, the coloured ones that match their
jerseys and doing up their hair as though they were going to a ball
instead of the field is more important than their game.
While they can afford to be flashy in their clothing, they couldn't get
themselves properly attired for training like wearing shin-pads - a
required protection in soccer.
They think they are mature enough to take care of themselves and abhor
being treated like kids if put under the supervision of officials. A
regimented camp life represses their freedom of expression and dulls their
skills. They clamour for `freedom' and be allowed to manage their own
lives.
When FAM granted "freedom" to the Olympic 2000 players and let them
reside in apartments instead of the Wisma FAM dormitory, they gave
themselves a bad name.
They gambled all night long at their apartments, sneaked out to discos
and had no proper rest for training. They even trashed the apartments just
before the team were disbanded.
And these were the very same players who were taught to live like
professionals by no-nonsense coach Hatem Souissi. The first thing they did
when free of Hatem's control, was to express themselves in all the wrong
ways.
Then, we had some players wearing slippers on a recent trip to
Bangladesh for a tournament and sneaking out of Wisma FAM for midnight
rendezvous.
No one is denying these youths the joy of growing up. There is always
room for fun and frolic but it should be tempered with moderation. Just
get the priorities right.
The only way to deal with the situation is for the authorities to act in
an authoritarian way - subject the players to a regimented lifestyle. That
seems the only way because no amount of advising or educating on the
requirements of professionalism seems to work.
The rot starts in schools where the attitude of players leaves much to
be desired with poor attendance for training sessions and sloppy dressing.
At M-League-level, players perpetrate a lot of nonsense - like partying
into the wee hours of the morning, getting drunk and skipping training,
getting into brawls, quarreling over women, getting booked for speeding
or drink driving. And there have been accidents with players getting
killed.
If such a drastic measure is not feasible, then probably, our soccer
should return to the amateur days where at least the players will be fully
occupied the whole day - having to work 9 to 5 and play soccer in the
evenings. This way, they might be too tired to think of having late
nights.
But it is better to put them on a leash before someone gets killed.

Time to make them amateurs again! (27/08/1999 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 27/08/1999
Headline : Time to make them amateurs again!


IF they can't behave like professionals, they might as well be amateurs.
And that could be the best way for Malaysian soccer to improve.
Sadly, it has been a decade of discontent since the game went
professional - from Semi-Pro (1989 to 1995) to fully professional in 1996.
The cause? A lack of professionalism, from both the players and
officials.
While State FAs are still very much amateurish in their administration
and management of teams, the players themselves hardly have a clue about
plying their trade properly.
Until and when officials and players are "professionalism-compliant", it
is pointless to have a professional league.
The very fact that the State FAs are still heavily subsidised by FAM and
can't stand on their own reflects the state of the sport in this country.
The fat pay that the players are getting just does not commensurate with
their efforts on the field, which more often than not, do not measure up
to expectations.
Players, these days, just do not know the meaning of "sacrifice" and
"hardwork" as they overnight, earn more than a graduate's and in some
instances, more than a doctor's.
Take the example of Pahang's rising star, midfielder Mohammad Fadzli
Shaari. He turned down an offer not only to play soccer in Germany but
also an opportunity to further his studies, citing loneliness. What is
loneliness compared to a bright future ahead? It all boils down to making
sacrifices again.
Nowadays, players have the audacity to complain about being overworked
and tired from two competitive matches a week, and that too travelling by
planes.
At most, the so called professional player puts in only about 18 to 20
hours of work, including training, in a week. For that, they get anything
from RM2,000 to RM12,000 a month.
In comparison, a bank clerk has to put in a minimum of about 40 hours a
week to earn RM2,000. A sports journalist, with 20 years of service, only
earns RM3,000 a month.
But can we blame the players when basically, they are not educated on
professional ethics?
Ask Santokh Singh, Soh Chin Aun or current Selangor coach K. Rajagopal
what it was like playing soccer in their era and they would all say it was
just pure passion for the game and sacrifices.
They held 9 to 5 jobs and only played soccer after their working hours -
be it for club, State or nation. They did it because of their love for the
game, no money involved.
The difference between them and the present generation of players was
that Santokh and company learnt about time management, along with it, the
sacrifices and hunger.
When FAM decided that foreign players would not be allowed to compete in
the M-League this season, many described the decision as taking a few
steps backward.
But it seems the right thing to do - if the discovery of a veritable
number of talents this season is anything to go by. In the absence of
foreign stars, they got the break and shone.
All things considered, the idea of going back to the amateur era seems
feasible.
Talking about sacrifices and determination, look at Lim Teong Kim and
Fandi Ahmad. Teong Kim journeyed to Germany, all alone, didn't know about
the language, unused to the food and culture of the land. Yet, he returned
speaking German, having made a name for himself, both as a player and
coach, in Franz Beckenbauer's country.
Fandi, despite having blessed with great skills, continued to work hard
and make sacrifices. He was really disciplined and for his efforts all
these years, he is now a millionaire.
Nonetheless, the next generation of players have given us hope. But the
code of professionalism has to be instilled in them. And for Malaysian
soccer to go forward, our game must go "backward".

All for the nation (22/07/1998 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 22/07/1998
Headline : All for the nation


WITH 51 days left for the Commonwealth Games, it is about time everyone
involved pay heed to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad's
call to work as one.
Dr Mahathir made the call when opening the National Sports Complex in
Bukit Jalil a fortnight ago, but judging from the developments since, not
many are taking his call seriously.
The Pre-Games held as a test run have revealed that there are many
things that need to be attended to, to ensure the Games go on smoothly.
The main problem are the several associations that are trying to impress
instead of getting on with the job of organisation.
Sukom Ninety Eight Bhd, Minsitry of Sports, National Sports Council,
Olympic Council of Malaysia, national sports associations, athletes,
volunteers and even the public have a role to play, and they have to work
as one to ensure success of the Games.
A lot of time, money, planning and effort has been put in since winning
the bid in 1992 to host the Games.
We have constructed some of the best sporting facilities in the world.
About 6,000 athletes and 70,000 visitors from 68 countries are expected
for the Games and we certainly need to put our best foot forward and not
allow the Games to be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
To make matters worse, we have associations still bickering over the
selection of athletes and making a mockery of sports.
We certainly do not need the bad publicity with the Games round the
corner.
If we cannot get our house in order, how are we going to play host to
the several thousands of visitors expected to arrive for the Games?
And the last thing we need is to wash dirty linen in public.
More often than not, we have been critical of flaws in organisation of
major events by other countries, and now we will be judged.
This is a Malaysian affair and everyone involved should work hand in
hand.
And there is nothing wrong in admitting mistakes just to have it
rectified.
Although Sukom chief operating officer Lt Gen (R) Datuk Seri Abdul Manap
Ibrahim said that the pre-Games was a success, he did admit that there
were problems.
Although Manap declined to go into details or reveal the problems, he
did admit that the main problem was that volunteers were not familar with
the new facilities.
The last thing we need is our own personnel being in the dark when we
are supposed to be guiding visitors to ensure that everything runs
smoothly.
Manap said that the problem was rectified while a debriefing will be
held to uncover any other problems encountered.
At this point, time is not on our side.
Whatever needs to be rectified, needs to be done immediately and
effectively.
There needs to be co-ordination from all quarters and unless everyone
brings himself to the ground and work sincerely, we are bound to encounter
more problems as the Games draw even nearer.
It is hoped that everyone realises that the dignity of the country is at
stake here.
On Sept 21 when the Games comes to a close, it is hoped that Malaysia
will be on the lips of every visitor, be it an athlete or a tourist, that
we are ready to host even bigger events because otherwise all the
facilities built would have been just for an one off event - the
Commonwealth Games.
Lets us all join hands in the name of Malaysia and get our act right.

You must be kidding (05/07/1998 - Sunday Mail)

Publication : SUM
Date : 05/07/1998
Headline : You must be kidding


BRAZIL have it. So do England and Germany. Virtually the whole world have
it.
But the way Malaysian soccer critics see it, we can live without it.
So, they slammed the FAM for trying to have a national team. As far, as
they are concerned, the national squad became ashes at the Jakarta SEA
Games last year. No resuscitation. No hope.
When FAM recently called up several l players from that failed `97 squad
to join forces with the Olympic 2000 in forming a new-look national team,
certain quarters were quick to take the national association to task.
But where in the world is there a country with no national team?
Sure, the FAM did announce the national team had been disbanded following
their dismal performances in the SEA Games where Malaysia even lost to
lowly Laos.
Yes, you can disband, disperse or dismantle the national side. But did
the FAM say they cannot reorganise, restructure or replant the national
team?
As the critics take it as dead and buried, do Malaysia have to live
forever without a national team?
Why do we have a M-League in the first place?
And if the top players from the M-League cannot play for the country,
then what is the purpose of the League?
The critics can argue that FAM have already decided to use Olympic 2000
as the new national team.
Come on, be realistic. A national team comprising 19-year-olds who are
now at the bottom of Premier One?
Maybe the critics are against some of the national players who have let
the country down. But what about those who played their hearts out but
happened to be in the same team in Jakarta?
And what about other young players who dazzle in the Premier League but
for state teams and not Olympic 2000?
Do the critics really believe that the present Olympic 2000 team can
stand in as the national team and move on to become the best in South-
east-Asia, let alone Asia?
Can they make the quantum leap from M-League strugglers to kingpins in
the region?
Look at Malaysia's 1-1 draw against China, a team who just missed out in
qualifying for the ongoing France World Cup, on Tuesday in a friendly
match.
Reinforced and stabilised by several experienced seniors, the Malaysian
side, comprising mostly Olympic 2000 players, held their own against the
formidable Chinese.
That surely would have boosted the confidence of the Olympic lads and
inspire them to play with renewed faith in themselves for the honours of
Malaysia.
Don't say China never tried hard. The Chinese team are known for their
national pride and patriotism and the last thing they wanted was to be
held by a Malaysian team playing with mostly youths.

Act before it's too late (08/04/1998 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 08/04/1998
Headline : Act before it's too late


HAVING seen their authority kicked in the face, the Kuala Lumpur FA must
show they have the firmness to deal with issues.
Though Monday's boycott of training by their Premier One team was seemed
to be resolved, the team management, especially, cannot just let it blow
over.
What assurance is there that it will not happen again?
By all counts, the players were wrong in boycotting training and going
instead to see KLFA president Datuk Seri Megat Junid Megat Ayob to voice
their unhappiness and grievances.
No matter what their reasons for snubbing coach Chow Kwai Lam (above),
their action in staying away from training cannot be condoned or
justified.
The KLFA will only be showing their weak side if they allow the matter
to be swept under the carpet.
The players have shown an open defiance of Kwai Lam and, unless action
is taken, the credibility of the latter is on the line.
Above all, the "rebels" did not show respect for the management
committee to whom they should have brought their grievances.
Although the players claimed that the management committee comprised
mainly of officials involved with the team, there are others who are not
linked directly.
One of them is Datuk Wan Adli Datuk Wan Ibrahim, the chairman of the
management committee and vice-president of KLFA.
Even if the players felt they had no other alternatives but to approach
Megat Junid, they should have done so after training.
The KLFA should issue all the players involved a show-cause letter and,
if they do not get a satisfactory reply, a fine be slapped on them for
their unbecoming action.
The ring leaders or instigators should be identified and suspended.
There were claims that not all the players were in favour of the
boycott, but they had to follow the majority.
But that is no excuse. Doesn't every player have his own mind?
At least, those not in favour of the boycott should have tipped off the
team officials.
The two foreign players who followed suit should also be brought to
book. As foreigners hired to help uplift the game in the country, they are
not here to play politics.
The KLFA should take a cue from the Olympics 2000 management committee
who had shown no hesitation in suspending three players for indiscipline.
No one is indispensable. The management committee took the decision
despite the key trio being involved in the M-League qualifying tournament.
It is about time the management committees of our soccer teams take a
stern stand on discipline of players in the best interest of the game.
Senior or junior, every player should have respect for officialdom and
for law and order on and off the field. Those guilty of breach of conduct,
no matter to what degree, should be dealt with accordingly.
It is hoped that the KLFA will not take the recent flare-up lightly.
Appropriate action has to be taken before the rot sets in.
Kuala Lumpur, once the kings of Malaysian soccer, are now back to the
days of struggle. But don't let players make a mockery of the association
who used to take pride in being a role model.

Licence to protest! (25/01/1997 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 25/01/1997
Headline : Licence to protest!


THERE has been much hue and cry over the ruling allowing States to
register only 15 local players and three foreigners for the new M-League
season.
Strangely, before the decision was made, there were discussions,
explanations and agreement. Now there is confusion, misunderstanding and
protests.
All major matters on soccer are discussed before a decision is made but
often it's only when these decisions are implemented that the parties
concerned suddenly wake up and cry foul or express their dissatisfaction.
It happens because the wrong people are present at the wrong meetings.
Sometimes, the right people are there but do not take part in the
discussions or go along with the majority.
Now, there is the issue of local coaches needing the FA of Malaysia A
licence to coach M-League teams.
Perak's Khaidir Buyong is upset the FA of Malaysia do not recognise his
German A licence while not requiring foreign coaches working in Malaysia
to have the FAM A licence.
There is a Malaysian Football Coaches Association (MFCA) and if there
was any disagreement on the matter it should have come through them.
The fact that even MFCA president Chow Kwai Lam and his deputy
president, M. Karathu - German and England coaching licence holders
respectively - attended the A Licence course to qualify themselves,
underlines that an agreement had been reached.
They both hold the FAM advanced coaching certificate, which was earlier
the highest coaching certificate in Malaysia.
Other German trained coaches like Abdullah Mohamad and Abdul Rahman also
attended the course which was reduced to merely a refresher course in
recognition of their contributions.
Khaidir was supposed to have attended a similar course on Jan 3 but did
not because he was out of the country scouting for players for Perak.
The German A licence is conducted by the German FA together with the
German government once in four years for English speaking coaches and
French speaking coaches from developing nations.
This course and the licence is certainly not the same German A licence
given to their own coaches, which is very much more intensive.
Foreign coaches are not required to have the FAM A licence because it
would be ridiculous for FAM to pass judgment on their coaching
certificates.
Even then, FAM insist State FAs hiring foreign coaches submit the
relevant coaching certificates to them.
The younger breed of Malaysian coaches should take the cue from former
national player Lim Teong Kim who is doing a coaching course in Germany on
his own. He hopes to graduate with a diploma from the Coaching School of
Hennef.
He has been there for almost two years and has attained the B Licence.
He is coaching the Bayern Munich second team for a year as part of the
requirement for testing for the A licence.
It is only after passing the A licence can he apply to join the School
of Hennef which is a six-month course and which will cost him about
RM15,000.
Teong Kim set a record of sorts by playing professional soccer in
Germany in 1987 with Herta Berlin FC. He could well be the first Malaysian
to coach overseas.

Ignorance is not bliss (18/01/1997 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 18/01/1997
Headline : Ignorance is not bliss


MALAYSIAN soccer went semi-professional in 1989 and professional in 1995
but the workings of the business is still a mystery to many officials.
The basic thinking is still amateurish with only a handful of
professionals involved in the various aspects of the game like
sponsorship, marketing, finance, administration and management.
Every season we hear of wrangles between States over players, players
not knowing how to sign with a new team, officials not knowing proper
procedures for signing new players or even retaining their players.
There are even players without a copy of their contract and players who
even have no idea of the contents of their contract.
Players still sign blank contracts or contracts written out in pencil.
This is the result of ill-prepared or incompetent amateurs trying to do
the work of professionals.
State FAs wait till the very last minute before negotiating with their
existing players and when some other State decide to sign them on, they
make a big fuss and lay claim to the players.
The rule clearly states that a player can start negotiating with another
team three months before his contract expires.
He can sign a letter of intent to join a new team but can only sign the
actual contract after his existing contract expires.
Teams intending to sign players from other States are required to inform
the players' team of their intention.
But all these are either ignored or when done, another State cries foul
because they themselves do not know the procedures.
The players are to be blamed to a certain degree for the mess because
they are ignorant of their rights or the procedures regarding change of
teams.
And some players try to increase their their salaries at the end of the
season by offering themselves to just about every team in the League.
After a pay hike, they turn their backs on the teams they had negotiated
with.

Problems
Matters get complicated when players blindly sign letters of intent just
to see what they are offered.
Some State FAs, in an attempt to secure certain players, offer
ridiculously high wages and create a false salary structure, despite FAM's
guidelines on salaries.
Some States go a step further by sticking to the FAM guideline but
making undisclosed payments to players.
Some States are known to sign on players at a huge price but without the
means to meet the financial commitment.
Little wonder that States have problems paying the monthly wages of
players.
Some States abuse the players by paying at their discretion.
Players who have more than a year's contract left often do not get wages
during the pre-season or their wage is cut drastically.
State FAs forget that soccer is the sole means of income for most of the
players and problems - personal and professional - arise when they are not
paid on time.
Soccer bribery has been blamed on poor salary payments by some States
and these States have to take some of the blame.
FAM have proposed the game be corporatised at the State level but are
the State FAs ready for it?
What we need is a total revamp of the administration of State FAs to
allow professionals to do the day to day running of the associations.
And influential amateurs must never be allowed to tell the professionals
how to do their jobs or meddle with their work.
In many teams, top professional coaches are hired but they don't select
the players or run the team the way they see fit.
But it must be said that several State FAs are being managed well and
professionally and they are easy to spot.
These are the States occupying the upper rungs in the League.

Get off your butts! (02/02/1996 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 02/02/1996
Headline : Get off your butts!


THE Rakan Sukan (partner-in-sport) programme launched two years ago was a
noble move by the Sports Ministry to raise the standard of sports in the
country.
The sponsorship from the corporate sector has generally helped develop
and enhance excellence in sports but many associations have become
dependent on the funds and hardly do anything on their own to raise money.
Of the 27 sports identified for the programme, 21 found corporate help
while a few more have got into hitches.
The irresponsible associations have also found ready excuses for bad
performances and administration problems in the sponsors, claiming the
late release of the funds were the reasons for their woes.
These associations must be reminded that not so long ago they were
functioning without any assistance from corporate sponsors and some even
did well!
They should take a hard look at the Squash Rackets Association of
Malaysia (SRAM) who, as if to prove a point, have attained so much
success, especially among their young talent, without much assistance.
(SRAM don't have a coporate sponsor but should be getting one soon).
Their well organised development programme, professional administration
and effort to raise funds on their own have all made the country proud.
The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) are another good example of
an association who have done it on their own.
Whatever funds available from sponsors should serve as a bonus to
facilitate existing programmes - not a chance to sit back and relax.
It is common to hear associations saying they cannot organise their
national meets because the funds are late or are not forthcoming. Some
even want to sue their sponsors!
Of course sponsors should keep their end of the bargain but how can they
be blamed for withholding funds when the associations don't have their
house in order.
What sponsor wants to linked with associations known more their
bickering and politicking than sports achievement?
Soccer is a classic example.
State FAs are given RM500,000 annually by the FA of Malaysia for the
development of the game but often the States use the money to run their M-
League teams.
And it is no surprise the State FAs are in debt and eagerly await the
FAM grant to settle the previous year's debts, including the salaries of
players and coaches.
Until and unless associations learn to be self-reliant, disciplined and
professional in administration, Malaysian sports is going to find a
difficult path to reach great heights.
Sports is no longer a matter of love and honour.
This is the professional era and just about everything is measured in
terms of ringgit and sen.
And when the equation between results and money spent does not balance,
there will be questions to be answered.
And often it boils down to unprofessional administration and spoilt
sportsmen and sportswomen.
Rewarding mediocrity is a one of biggest sins of Malaysian sports.
With the KL Commonwealth Games just around the corner, it is high time
for sports associations to buck up and strive for excellence in a
professional manner.

Will FAM ever learn? (15/01/1996 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 15/01/1996
Headline : Will FAM ever learn?


MALAYSIAN soccer's recent history of failures seems to have taught the FA
of Malaysia nothing.
They look set to repeat follies of the past by resorting to stop-gap
measures in picking the new national coach.
With Frenchman Claude Le Roy stepping down, FAM are thinking of asking
Tunisan Hateem Souissi to prepare the national team for the Pre-Asian Cup
at Shah Alam in March.
Hateem is currently in charge of the 1997 Youth World Cup squad.
Johor's Wan Jamak Wan Hassan is also on the minds of FAM and is expected
to take charge should Hateem decline. Wan Jamak could be Hateem's
assistant if he accepts.
Giving Hateem the job is a mistake as the youth team will be affected.
It was the case with Le Roy. He first came here to coach the Atlanta
Olympic squad but was later asked to handle the seniors too.
The national team will be reporting today for Pre-Asian Cup training
without a coach, at least for the next three days when FAM decide on their
man.
But naming Hateem, who did a reasonably good job with the national team
(again on a stop-gap measure) for the Merdeka tournament, would mean
divided attention for the youth team.
Besides, Hateem is not going to coach the national team on a long-term
basis and this is not going to serve any purpose.
It would be more appropriate to name Wan Jamak for the job as at least
he can give the team undivided attention. He is free from any ties with
Johor and can readily be part of FAM's long-term plans.
Wan Jamak, a former international who coached the national team for the
1994 Asian Games, has done well with Johor.
He is also looking for a permanent job with the national team and FAM
are seeking a man to take charge of the team after the Asean Cup in
Singapore in August and the 1997 pre-World Cup.
It is time FAM did away with short-term contracts because they put
coaches under pressure to deliver immediate results. The coaches often end
up naming experienced players and there are no results over the years.
A contract of four to five years will give coaches time to pick and
groom younger players.
Coaches must also be given a free hand in selecting players and in
managing the team.
With so many changes in the national squad there is no continuity,
consistency or results.
We need a more permanent squad and a more permanent coach.
We cannot afford to keep changing targets or make major changes as we go
along just because results are not rapidly forthcoming.
Too many projects have been abandoned at the halfway stage.
Just consider the number of national youth teams we have had, starting
with the Tigers as early as in 1982. They never realised their full
potential because players who shone were drafted into the senior team. The
Tigers and many other teams were disbanded.
Countries like South Korea and Japan, who in the 60s and early 70s were
second to Malaysia, planned their work and worked their plan on a long
term basis to be where they are now.
FAM have to be as disciplined as the players and the coach and not
abandon long-term goals for short-term gains.