ANOTHER NEW YEAR BUT SAME OLD SONG FOR MALAYSIAN SPORTS

ANOTHER NEW YEAR WITH A BROKEN RECORD

By Tony Mariadass

FOR as long as Malaysian sports try to achieve success through short term programmes, incompetent sports officials making key decisions with personal agendas as their priority, constant changes to programmes, coaches not having their say, external interferences, foreign coaches being bounced back and forth because of indecisiveness and a whole lot of decisions which are questionable, we will be facing disappointments over and over.

The problem in Malaysian sports is at the top. We need to make drastic changes where it needs to be done to put things right and wait for success.

Nothing happens over night and no magic wand can give you instant results.

Even long-term programmes planned by some associations are soon forgotten and want overnight results.

There is no short cut to success. Only hardwork, proper planning with the right qualified personnel helming programmes, with no interference, one or two Olympic cycles planning, patience, determination, proper and fair selection with the best players being given the opportunity – which means combing the length and breath of the country with more than 30 million population to look for new, the best and young talent to be given the opportunity - will there be a flicker of hope to see Malaysian sports make a turn around for the better.

It is pointless coming out with beautiful roadmaps, all looking great on paper and impressive launches, but not implemented with same vigour and commitment and more often these plans collecting dust on the shelves in some corner.

Talent scouting by ex-internationals for all sports should be immediately implemented to search for talent at every nook and corner of Malaysia.

Foreign players to be naturalised is NOT the answer.

Yes. sports these days is borderless. Maybe at worst we can resort to mixed parentage players, but it should be done with proper scrutiny and done by technical officials and not team managers and agents, who more often are more interested in the money they can earn with these dealings.

And national sports bodies alone cannot be held responsible for the ills of Malaysian sports.

The national bodies can come up with elaborate programmes, but the implementation of these programmes largely is the responsibility of the affiliates – besides states, districts, schools and even at the grassroot with the academies playing a huge role. It is collective effort.

It is pointless collecting data or making selections, but only to collect dust and not utilised.

Analysis and recommendations must be done by qualified technical officials and not team managers who hold a string of posts in their national body, which clearly makes their report a conflict of interest.

In fact, in many cases team managers have been the cause for the failure of teams but in their reports which is supposed to be transparent, switch the blame to everything and everybody else, but themselves.

There have been cases where team managers who are hardly qualified in the game make decision and get involved in line-ups and sometimes even naming players into the squad, both local, naturalised and mix-parentage.

Some heads of associations who have been dragged through mud for their incompetency in managing their state or national associations, still hold on to their post and even stand for elections in political parties.

Sports associations for many has become a platform to promote themselves and achieve their personal agenda rather than look into the promotion of the sports and taking it to the next level.

Failure after failure, controversy after controversy and incompetency, never sees them shun the limelight to continue to hold on to their sports portfolios.

Some even are heads of several sports bodies and more often is seen as a conflict of interest. But do they care?

And who are we to blame for this sad scenario in their Malaysian sports? None other than the affiliates who vote them in because of favours, positions and money promised.

How can Malaysian sports have any proper continuity, vision, or direction, when we have three Sports Ministers in one term!

Each one comes with their own agenda and the ones to suffer are the sports associations and athletes.

Some have even quit or prefer to be independent sportsmen or women because of all these uncertainties at the highest level.

Sports Associations themselves must start to stand on their own feet and manage their association like a company.

They cannot depend on the Ministry of Sports or National Sports Council (NSC) to be funding all their programmes and training of their athletes.

As National Sports Association (NSAs) they are responsible for their sports.

Any aid from NSC’s is welcome but that should not be their sole source of funding for their programmes and activities.

It is pointless in complaining that NSC is holding court when it comes to the training of their respective sports’ athletes, when the NSA’s themselves surrender to them.

Malaysian sports need a drastic overhaul immediately for it to have any hope in the future.

But are the National bodies, NSAs and the affiliates ready to make the bold move and change?

If not, stop mourning, groaning, and complaining and just accept that Malaysian sports is doomed.

A Very Happy New Year and sports bodies if you are making a resolution, make the right one that makes a difference. Otherwise, just sit back and continue to enjoy the ills of Malaysian sports.

Continue to look for excuses for the poor performances and blame it on Covid-19, the weather, lack of funding etc., as other nations with lesser means continue to soar and embarrass us.

The choice is yours. Either we move forward to year 22 or go back to 20!

 

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.

Merdeka Stadium survives test of time and development

By Tony Mariadass

HAPPY 63TH MERDEKA DAY

Grand Old Lady serves as a reminder to the younger generation of the nation's history

 Merdeka Stadium overall view when its capacity was 40,000 pix from visitKL portal

As Malaysia celebrates its 63^rd Independence Day today, Malaysians indeed must feel blessed and be grateful that the historic Merdeka Stadium, which is still standing, bears testimony to Malaya's (as we were then known) 'fight' for freedom from British rule.

Many make the mistake of thinking that Malaya obtained independence at this iconic stadium when in actual fact the Nation was born on the grounds of the Selangor Padang (now known as Dataran Merdeka) at the stroke of midnight on Aug 31,1957, witnessed by thousands of proud Malayans, when the Union Jack was lowered for the last time (signifying an end to British rule and 446 years of colonisation) and the flag of the Federation of Malaya was raised for the first time.

At the Merdeka Stadium the ensuing morning was where the proclamation of independence was held as more than 20,000 witnessed the ceremony which began at 9.30am that Saturday morning.

Today, on land which once stood majestically and known as Coronation Park with its own 9-hole golf course, the Merdeka Stadium took shape, but it is now dwarfed by surrounding sky-scrappers which includes the nearly-completed 118-storey Menara Warisan Merdeka, which when it opens its doors, will be the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur.

Pix by S. Morgan

Currently, the road leading up to this grand stadium is a make-shift, beaten-up cement path running through the construction site – an eye sore not befitting the surroundings of the Grand Old Lady.

But it is hoped that when construction is finally completed next year, the Independence Stadium, will be accorded the respect it deserves and will become an iconic landmark, just like Menara Warisan.

Currently, the stadium is still used occasionally for friendly football matches.

To recap on the history of the Stadium Merdeka – it was constructed in record time with the first piece of earthworks starting on 25 September 1956 and the last stone laid on 21 August 1957. The stadium was designed by architect Stanley Edward Jewkes.

It was on Sept 18,1955 when Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, then Chief Minister of Malaya, announced that arrangements were being made for the construction of a million-dollar sports stadium.

That this historic and sacred landmark could have been reduced to ashes in the name of development in 2001, is beyond imagination. But thanks to Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and their then chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid’s concerted effort made to conserve and preserve the stadium, that it is still standing today.

The stadium and its land were given to a private company - United Engineers Malaysia Berhad (UEM) - which had intended to redevelop the land into a RM 1 billion entertainment and office complex. In exchange, the company was required to build seven other stadiums in other locations. However, the company did not proceed with the redevelopment due to public outcry and the company's financial difficulties due to the 1990s Asian economic crisis.

It was then that PNB took over from UEM.

Ahmad Sarji, widely known for his dedication to preserve history, saw in February 2003 the Merdeka Stadium together with the indoor Stadium Negara (a stone’s throw away) named national heritage buildings by the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry.

 In 2007, Merdeka Stadium underwent restoration to its original 1957 condition as part of Malaysia’s 50th anniversary plans to relive the moment when Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed independence there. The restoration was completed by December 2009, and not surprisingly received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific 2008 Award of Excellence for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

With restoration completed, the 45,000-capacity stadium was reduced to 20,000, which meant that several of the upper terrace blocks built over the years were demolished.

The Merdeka Stadium, besides serving as a reminder of our independence, also has a long history of playing host to popular sporting and entertainment events till the mid-90s when the Bukit Jalil National Stadium was built.

It was Tunku's vision which saw the birth of the Merdeka football tournament that soon became a prestigious annual event in Asia. The Asian Youth tournament which followed two years later was also Tunku's brainchild.

Football was the draw-card held at the Merdeka Stadium where Hong Kong were the inaugural winners before Malaya won the next year in 1958.

The Merdeka Stadium also proudly hosted two SEAP (South East Asia Peninsula) Games and two Sea Games (1965, 1971, 1977 and 1989), Merdeka tournaments (from 1957 to 1995), 1975 World Cup hockey semifinals and final and numerous international track and field championships.

It was also the venue for international concerts including the Michael Jackson concert in October 1996, which not surprisingly, filled the 55,000 capacity stadium for two nights. Other international artistes and bands who performed at the Stadium included Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Justine Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Avril Lavigne, A.R. Rahman, BackStreet Boys, Linkin Park, Kool and the Gang, just to name a few.How can anyone forget Muhammad 'The Greatest' Ali mixing it up with Britain's Joe Bugner over 15 rounds in the ring on July 1,1975?

It was also the FA of Selangor’s home ground for their League and Malaysia Cup campaign from 1957 to 1994.

For me personally, the Merdeka Stadium is part and parcel of my being as I have been associated with it since my 1^st birthday.

My association with the stadium dates back to 1959 when I had my first birthday party thrown by my late parents, at the canteen.

During my school days with St John Institution, I used to run on the bitumen track during our school’s sports day and also played in the 1975 Selangor Schools football final against La Salle Petaling Jaya and won the title.

I watched the 1975 hockey World Cup semifinals and final, from the terraces as a schoolboy.

And from the early 80s when I became a sports journalist, the Merdeka Stadium was my second home as I covered numerous football, track and field events, including the 1989 Sea Games football final which Malaysia won after 12 years of trying beating Singapore 3-1.

I still remember the ‘Fish Head Restaurant’ at the Merdeka Stadium which was a must stop before covering any football match.

Also, I watched numerous concerts at the stadium.

The Merdeka Stadium, with its unblemished character, is without doubt the heart and soul of Malaysian sports, and all national stadiums, are objects of pride with history, which must stand tall always.

The Malaysian flag being hoisted at the Merdeka Stadium