Showing posts with label sports politics. Show all posts

Monday, November 27, 2023

Is it a truly Malaysian Merdeka Day?

Is it a truly Malaysian Merdeka

Day?

apakhabartv Sport August 30, 2023 4 Minute

Today as we celebrate our 66th year of independence, I believe we have celebrated better independence days in the earlier years, when we were truly Malaysians celebrating as one Malaysians.

Today, although the nation is considered young compared to many others who had gained their independence longer, the Statistics Department has recorded 2.1 million foreigners working in various sectors in Malaysia up to June 2022.

Close to two million were recorded in 2019 and 2.1 million in 2020, while unofficial estimates of undocumented or irregular migrants range from 1.2 to 3.5 million – thus making Malaysia one of the largest migrant-receiving country in Southeast Asia.

While we are grateful to the foreigners who have helped the nation grow in various sectors, including providing domestic help to the growing population of working parents.

But the question, why is the local population shying away from jobs done by foreign workers?

While generally the unemployment rate in the country has generally dropped – Malaysia’s unemployment rate for 2022 was 3.73%, a 0.32% decline from 2021. Malaysia unemployment rate for 2021 was 4.05%, a 0.49% decline from 2020 – but the rise in foreign workers is alarming.

What is even more disturbing is that sports has seen a sharp increase in foreigners being given citizenship status and the influx of heritage players – a heritage player is one who has ancestral connections with the country that he wishes to play for – especially in football.

While many will claim that sports has no borders these days, but is it right for a young nation like Malaysia to follow the path?

Are we proud to see national teams with foreign players – be it heritage or foreign players granted citizenship – standing looking dumbfounded when the national anthem is played?

It was a delight and I was proud to see the national hockey team – made up of true Malaysian from the length and breath of the country, including East Malaysians – singing the national anthem with pride, passion and gusto.

Malaysia’s population maybe small at 34.3 million, as compared to many nations, but we have the three main groups – Malays, Chinese and Indians – and then we have the Eurasians and Punjabis and the other indigenous groups like Orang Asli, Iban, Murut, Batak, Kelabit, Kedayan Tausug (people ethnic group belonging to both the Philippines and Malaysia) Bidayuh, Kadazan Dusun, Kayan, Penan, Negrito, Minangkabau, Bugis, Kenyah and Javanese to name some.

This is already an international community living in one nation and with such diversity, is it a wonder that our sports fraternity cannot assemble a formidable team with each ethnic group with their strength.

This combination of a mixed team was what brought us glory in sports like football (qualified for two Olympics – Munich and Moscow), badminton (stood tall in Thomas Cup competition), sepak takraw (ruled the region), athletics (qualified on merit to Olympics and even reached the semifinals), and many other sports.

Only the sports of hockey seems to keep to the traditional ways and doing well too.

Being a Malaysian, take a walk to the heart of the city at Petaling Street, Sentral Market and Jalan Silang, today being a public holiday, and you true Malaysians will be the ‘foreigners’ among the sea of Indonesians, Filipinos, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Indians, Myanmars, Vietnamese, Cambodians and others.

Is this how we want to remember celebrating our ‘Merdeka Day’. Are we really independent?

We are not denying that the country still need foreign workers in various sectors such as construction, plantation, manufacturing and domestic.

But sports is one area, we can do away with them.

At the same time, we also need to attract locals to work in the plantation or construction industry by providing better facilities so as to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign labour.

We also need to look into the National Sports Policy and a re-look into the National Sports Vision 2030 (VSN2030) launched by (2020) former Sports Minister and then Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, which was to provide a new direction and plan for the development of national sports that is comprehensively and collectively mapped for a period of 10 years.

Or is this policy still in place because Malaysian sports policies change with every new Sports Minister, as they try to leave behind their own legacy.

How many Sports Ministers have we had in this five-year term?

Besides, the Sports Ministry is also torn between promoting sports for all and paying attention to excellence sports and the National Sports Council also needs to revisit it’s real role in development and promoting sports excellence.

There is lot to be set right for Malaysian sports before it achieves its true potential and today being the ‘Merdeka Day’s, would be a perfect day to start putting things right, with no personal agenda or gain in mind, but for sports to emerge the winners.

Maybe far too much to ask, because we seen the ills rise again over and over, past mistakes repeated and tainted by officials who have personal agendas.

All we can do and pray, is hope things will change in the name of sports and fairplay will prevail. After all, sports is suppose to be pure!

Happy Merdeka Day as we try to live up to this year’s thyme – Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan (Determined Unity, Filled with Hope).

PARENTS OF POOR CHILDREN SHORTCHANGED?

apakhabartv Uncategorized September 9, 2023 4 Minutes

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh’s recent announcement in Kota Kinabalu, that parents who send their children for sports training or undergo such activity themselves might qualify for personal tax relief starting next year, is a welcome move but was it well thought off?

The proposal under Budget 2024 had been presented to the Finance Ministry.

While it was well received by parents who have played an active role in the development of their children in the sports of their choice, with extra and special coaching programmes and training, it has left many wondering what happens to children from poorer families.

Poorer families naturally do not have the means to send their children for individual personalised training outside the school curriculum.

Maybe incentives like subsidies for poor parents who choose to engage coaches to coach their children, should be considered to have a wider base.

Or does it mean that children from poor parents are going to be ruled out from excelling in sports to higher levels or they just have to depend on the schools’ sports programme in place and hopefully rise from there.

Maybe we are resigned to the fact that we are just going to depend on children of the well-to-do families who can offer their children specialised training for our future ‘stars’.

Next question is whether Sabah was the right place to announce the ‘tax relief’, as a majority of the population are still in the low bracket of income. How would this benefit the people of Sabah?

The Minister had made the announcement after launching the Sabah Sports Industry Expo 2023 this week.

She had said that the move could be among the ways to encourage parents to send their kids for training, which would in turn help with sports development in the country.

How can poor parents afford to send their children for extra training on their own?

Currently tax relief is only given for the purchase of sports equipment.

The proposed tax relief will also cover parents undergo training themselves and qualify with the aim to indirectly encourage people to practise a healthy lifestyle, besides getting children to be involved in sports from a young age.

This proposal was made in view of wanting the sports industry to develop.

The announcement was made in line with the fact that the sports industry contributed some RM14bil, or 0.9%, to the nation’s gross domestic product.

All well and good, but a serious thought has to be given to sports development in schools and for all, instead of ‘select’ groups.

Yes, there are various programmes in place, but it has to be seriously reviewed by the Ministry of Sports with the Ministry of Education.

The Sports Ministry and Education Ministry, without doubt have to work hand-in-hand and not in isolation or have their own programmes.

Already it is fast being said that ‘Schools are the graveyard of sports.’

It used to be ‘Universities are the graveyards of sports’ but that has changed in recent years as Universities are big into sports these days.

Today, sports has become an integral part of the university system. There are inter-university games, inter-college and higher learning institution games and inter-university leagues for football, hockey, squash and bowling, among others.

University students also compete in the Asean and World Universities Games and many of our national athletes are products of the universities.

But while schools have been contributors too, but much more can be expected from them with better involvement with better programmes as they are the grassroot where development starts.

Sadly, schools, which were the nursery for sports in the country, are slowly but surely losing their relevance.

Yes, we have national sports schools and sports excellence schools in the various states, while the Ministry of Education has leagues for football and some other sports. True, the Malaysian Schools Sports Council has programmes for 24 sports for Under-12, Under-15 and Under-18. However, these only benefit a select group of students.

Efforts have to be made to build a wider base and to cater for late bloomers, and this can only be achieved through mass participation at national schools, something that is slowly disappearing.

Even the ‘1 student 1 sport’ programme has its shortcomings, with students not allowed to participate in the sport of their choice. Or there are not enough qualified teachers to groom them and the hours dedicated to sports activity are limited.

Gone are the days when we had inter-class and inter-house games before the school team was selected for various sports. The school athletics and swimming meets were grand affairs.

Teachers, who were a dedicated lot, played a key role in the development of sports in schools.

Without any discrimination intended, today, almost 70% of school teachers are women and expecting them to chart the future of Malaysian sports is probably asking for the impossible.

Physical educations periods are now divided into physical session on field and health classroom sessions. Each session lasting 30 minutes, sees two sessions of PE on field and two classroom sessions.

The 1 student 1 sport programme is held once week after school hours for two hour to three hours and only for 12 weeks for the number of sports decided by the school (most schools have six to eight sports) culminating with ‘Hari Sukan’ for all the sports (competition).

There are selection for various sports by schools for Inter-District tournament and they train separately for a few weeks before competition. The competition itself is held on a carnival basis over three or four days.

At the national level, competitions are also held during during holidays.

Question is whether this is enough and done well to benefit the development of our future sportsmen and women.

If only the top priority were given for grassroots development, Malaysian sports would surely have a bright future.

The issue of disappearing fields and those in atrocious conditions needs to be urgently addressed too.

Is enough being done in schools to promote sports, is the million ringgit question.

Isolated incentives for a select Group is certainly not the answer to improving development at the grassroots.

Sunday, November 26, 2023

THE CHOICE OF THE FUTURE OF MALAYSIAN SPORTS

The choice of the future of Malaysian sports

apakhabartv Sport, Youth August 19, 2023 3 Minutes

The debate on whether Malaysian sports should make a drastic change to allow the young and vibrant to helm the sports associations or still rely on the old school – the experienced but aging – has been ongoing for a longtime.

But a check with the sports associations in the country, it is quite clear the ‘old timers’ and politicians, still hold court.

Has the experienced, aged officials and politicians, led Malaysian sports to a different or higher level in recent years……is subjective.

While in some sports, the presence of the experienced and older officials, and even politicians, has put their sports on a higher pedestal, but a majority have seen their sports rot, decline or have not moved forward to keep up with demands and progress of modern day sports.

The older and experienced sport officials have been accused of running bankrupt of ideas, no longer relevant with the fast development of sports these days, are holding on to their positions for their own personal gain, the trips and still being recognised by society, but not doing much for the progress of the sports or the athletes.

Newly appointed Sports Commissioner last week, the former National Sports Council (NSC) deputy director-general (strategic), Suhardi Alias, hit a raw nerve when on his appointment, had said that it is time for sports be led by the younger generation or former sportsmen and sportswomen.

What Suhardi had said holds water and needs to be addressed, especially coming from a man who was involved in sports management for over 30 years and is knowledgeable, having held various posts, including National Sports Association Rating Committee member with the Olympic Council of Malaysia in 2009, chairman and pioneer of the National Sports Management course and the person who drafted the National Sports Science course, of which he is also an instructor.

Suhardi who holds a Bachelor of Science (Dietetics) from University of Malaysia (UKM) and Diploma in Advance Sports Management from the International Olympics Council (IOC), has also involved in preparing the National Sports Industry Road Map and National Sports Vision 2030.

Suhardi who has always been known to engage the stakeholders and coming to a common consensus decision, when contacted told that he will be first discussing his views of on more younger, vibrant sportsmen and sportswomen helming national sports associations with Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

He also stressed that a discussion will have to be held with the current national sports officials on their views and stand.

Suhardi agreed that it going to be a difficult path as thoughts may differ as it means continuing with the experienced, as against the young and untried.

Suhardi said that it is going to be a heated discussion as probably both groups will have their merits in discussions,

Without doubt it is going to be Catch 22 situation.

There was an unwritten rule that politicians do not helm sports associations, but while it was adhered for sometime, it has taken a back seat again.

As for ‘old timers’ helming sports associations, while there has been a strong call for them to be replaced by the young and former sportsmen and sportswomen, but there have been cases where the ‘old timers’ have done well for the association and still do.

Take for example, Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress president, Datuk Dr P S Nathan who had led the association since founding it in 1974.

But credit to him, he has not only lifted the sport which was known as a ‘parlour game’ to international standards and a source of medals for the nation, popularise the sports to become a family game and with good development programme constantly produce young bowlers who who rise to become international ranked bowlers.

Besides, he has brought the association to be financially stable.

In fairness to him, he has also had succession plans to take over from him but somehow no eligible candidates have surfaced.

Several years ago, I asked him, when he was going to pass the baton to someone else, and Nathan who turns 89 on Nov 3 said: “I am a medical doctor and with my age, I have to pass a test every year to continue my practice.

“If I am fit to carry out my duties as a doctor, don’t you think I am capable of running a sport association?”

I could not argue my case any more and with him still continuing to bring the sports of tenpin bowling to greater heights and financially keep the association in a comfortable zone.

But Suhardi made another pertinent point when he said that whoever helms a sports association, they should always strive to see the association progress to spill over to benefit and take care the welfare of the athletes.

Indeed, another subject which is always argued is “Are sports officials present because of athletes, or athletes exist because of officials?”

Monday, January 17, 2022

IMMINENT FOOTBALL TSUNAMI?

CHENG HOE TO GET SUPPORT?

By Tony Mariadass

NATIONAL football team Harimau assistant coaches could follow suit national coach Tan Cheng Hoe to resign in support of the latter’s move.

The assistant coaches at the recent Suzuki AFF football tournament in Singapore were S. Balachandran, Azmin Azram Abdul Aziz (goalkeeper coach) and Martin Stano (fitness coach).

Whether all three coaches will be resigning or one or two of them, is not known, but there is strong indication the two local coaches will resign in the next few days.

If this happens, it will not give FA of Malaysia the liberty to ‘sack’ the assistant coaches or the new incoming national coach the choice to exclude them in his lineup.

FAM of Malaysia deputy president Datuk Yusof Mahadi who is also the national team manager, had recently, said the investigation body led by former national player and FAM general secretary Datuk Dell Akbar Khan was currently investigating the cause of the national squad’s failure in Singapore.

He added that he and team captain Mohd Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak were among the individuals called to provide statements.

Surprising that Yusof who was interviewed, gave a statement on the investigation when he is a party involved.

Even more surprising is that as a deputy president he is holding several keys positions in the body which is of conflict of interest.

Coaches who are appointed at all levels of national teams are interviewed and must have the relevant qualifications.

But whether team managers appointed are interviewed or have any football qualification or knowledge, or but merely appointed by their position they hold at FAM, is a question which need to be addressed.

And the need for two assistant team managers besides the team manager for Singapore, whereas only 24 players were selected and registered when they could have registered 30 players, is another question to be answered.

Should the assistant coaches resign as speculated, it is indeed going to force FA of Malaysia to answer more questions.

FA of Malaysia president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin has said that he will be holding a press conference on Friday to explain more on the national team’s performance.

It is indeed going to be an interesting week for Malaysian football.

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

WAS CHENG HOE A SCAPEGOAT?

CHENG HOE A PROFESSIONAL AND GENTLEMAN

By Tony Mariadass

Why has national Tan Cheng Hoe to resign with a one-year contract still in hand?

Was there more than what the eyes meet in his resignation?

Yes, Cheng Hoe is a professional and a gentleman, who was brave to stand accountable for the national team’s failure to meet the target to qualify for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup in Singapore.

But the target was set by team manager Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mahadi, who is also the deputy president of the FA of Malaysia.

“For sure we should be eyeing the title or at least entering the final each time we play at the Asean level. This is because FAM has set its sight on Asia,” he told a new conference after the FAM executive committee meeting in November.

Fine, but was Cheng Hoe given the full liberty to select his players, was he given ample time to prepare the team, did he had a voice on naturalized players and did he have full say in the lineup of the team for matches.

Cheng Hoe in resigning form his national coaching position on Monday, had said that he was just being a professional and his quit decision was his own as he did not achieve his target.

Did anyone expect him to say otherwise and state his real reasons?

In Malaysian football one must be diplomatic and not step on anyone’s toes or face the wrath.

And Cheng Hoe is a true gentleman who would not even hurt a fly. But he was a great coach and a timely change for Malaysian football. He was exemplary as a player and a coach.

Had it been the late firebrand coach Chow Kwai Lam, he would have probably spilled the beans as it was and would have taken no nonsense from anyone.

B. Sathinanthan has come to say that he made all decisions as a national coach in 2007 despite trying to be influenced not to recruit a certain player.

It only goes to show that in Malaysian football, those who do not have any knowledge in football, still can make calls because of their position or political connection.

I have covered 24 national coaches since my reporting days in 1977 and often, when a coach is dismissed, resigns or contracts not renewed, it is always the coach who failed.

None of the FAM Council members, team managers or the hands behind the scenes, will come forward to admit their mistakes or failures.

The State affiliates who make up the FAM are equally guilty when a national team fails because it is because of their failure at the State who do not have quality local leagues or any league at all, to unearth new talent, do enough grassroot development and work with the schools, that see dearth of talent coming through.

And the obsession of hiring foreign players instead of looking for local talent and grooming them, has further dragged Malaysian football through the mud!

There has been a coach whose contract was not extended because with one match to qualify with just a draw for the second round pre-World Cup, the authorities decided to appoint a local coach, recall ex-internationals and players off position. And we lost the match!

Then, there was a coach whose contract was not renewed despite winning a regional tournament because he was too close to the players!

Another coach decided to leave because he sensed a final match which Malaysia won in a regional tournament was ‘fixed’ by the referee.

Another reputable coach was relived of his duties but went to several other countries and did well.

Then, we had coaches who earned their coaching badges in Malaysia who become national coaches only to produce mediocre results in mediocre tournaments.

Of course, there were coaches who were fired because they were inept in their job, but NOT those who hired the coach.

Many of the coaches have confided in me the real reasons for their departure but were not willing to come out in the open for fear of their remaining wages being delayed, might have problems finding jobs elsewhere or have struck a deal to leave without revealing the real reasons for their departure.

While foreign coaches normally speak after they have left the country or secured a job elsewhere, local national coaches normally remain silent and take the brunt and keep silent, as they still need to find a job with the states or clubs.

We have had several local coaches who have done well, but in the end, they leave with frustrations of not being able to work independently with their working staff or players ‘fixing’ them.

It is never easy being a coach and being a professional they are the ones who should take the blame for failures – provided they are given a free hand to manage their team.

But when ‘hidden hands’ and other interferences are involved, everyone should take the responsibility and not look for scape goats, while the actual culprits are still around to do continue to do damage.

Good luck Malaysia. Until and when we can have fair play at all levels and from everyone, we will continue to walk down the dark lane.

Friday, September 3, 2021

MALAYSIAN SPORTS AT ITS PITS?

MALAYSIAN SPORTS CREDIBILITY AT STAKE

By Tony Mariadass

Little surprise that Malaysian sports is scraping the barrel and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel for a ray of hope for progress.

When we want to reward non-results, rectify results at all cost, blame everyone else but not look at one’s own fault, no respect for rules, lack the discipline as an athlete, sports leaders and officials fighting for a lost cause just to get brownie points or popular votes, let emotions take over righteous, treat defaulters like heroes and the list goes on, what hope is there for sports to remain pure and honourable.

Then we have officials who were alleged to have attempted to bribe opposing athletes to lose to Malaysian athletes and officials who were said to have bribed competition officials at championships, especially in subjective sports, to favour or give better points for Malaysian athletes.

With these underhand tactics by sports officials, how can we motivate or tell our athletes to give their best to win medals?

Without doubt Malaysian athletes are well rewarded for achievements at different level of competitions. They have the best facilities and privileges accorded to them as compared to many countries.

Even countries like Australia do not reward their athletes like Malaysia does. In many countries, athletes must source for their own funds to pay for their passage for competitions.

Thus, in general Malaysian athletes are well looked after and when one fails and still can hope to be rewarded, do we expect our athletes to give their blood, tears and sweat when competing to bring honours.

Yes, we have rare cases of our athletes who have brought honours from the most difficult circumstances, but generally Malaysian athletes are a pampered lot.

Many do not know what sacrifice is. Many do not know what it is to be poor. Many do not know what it is to be hungry.

Today sacrifice means being away from their family for a year – and that too because of the Covid 19 pandemic.

But they train in the best environment, with the best facilities, food, medical care, and coaches.

We even have news about athletes who have been hauled up for doping (knowingly or not) and that further degrades sports in Malaysia.

Ask the Indian, Chinese, Korean, or Japanese athletes what is sacrifice, how to make the cut as a national athlete or what they must endure as a national athlete and to be the best? Their stories can be horrifying but those are the kind of sacrifices a champion must make.

What our Malaysian athletes undergo in preparation is not even 40 percent of the above athletes must endure.

When we talk of Malaysian sportsmen and sportswomen of yesteryear and what they had to undergo and what they had achieved, many will scoff it off as “that is those days.”

So why is it with all the facilities, resources, money and comfort, the present-day athletes cannot produce outstanding results or even better the yesteryear achievements.

And those who do produce results are the few, who had made sacrifices like pulling out from the comfort of their homes and country, base themselves overseas and train in an environment where no favours are granted and only hard work, sacrifices, dedication, determination, discipline and personal desire and goals to be the best, sees them successful.

While we take a dig at our athletes, our officials too must take the blame where we do not have officials who have sports at their heart but their own personal agenda.

We have officials who are in the sports to get their titles, for overseas trips, their political mileage and if they can make some money along the way.

Coaches and technical personnel are overlooked to accompany athletes and officials are sent as favours or to win votes for the next election.

These are just the tip of the iceberg of Malaysian sports.

Many will come forward to testify but they will be blacklisted or marginalised.

But talk to sincere athletes and officials, and their stories will be shocking to Malaysian sports!

With so many ills in Malaysian sports and when mediocrity and nonperformance is championed to be recognised, can we really hope that Malaysian sports will stand tall, proud and be honoured for an honest effort with dignity?

Friday, August 6, 2021

ALL’S WELL OR ALL HELL WILL BREAK LOOSE

GOLD IN TOKYO WILL ERASE ALL FLAWS?

By Tony Mariadass

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Was it well spent for the benefit for the athletes?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a) Politics in sports

b) Sports officials who are not qualified leading associations

c) Sports officials overstaying their welcome in associations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Will it happen?

Level Field

Monday, November 27, 2023