Overcoming Challenges, Inspiring Others
THE run-up to the Doha Asian Games starting on Dec 1 is certainly going to overshadow the start of the KL’06 9th Fespic Games starting today right in the heart of the city today.
Yes, the week-long Games is being hosted by Malaysia and despite the huge publicity given to the Games in terms of advertisement in the newspapers, radio, television and banners, there is worry among the organisers that this event which will see 47 of the 63 member countries competing, get a lukewarm response from the public.
To the public, maybe the fact that the Fespic Games is competed by the physically challenged athletes, it probably is less appealing.
In fact, it should be even more response to make a bee hive to the Stadiums to watch these athletes compete in the true spirit of sports and determination that might even put to shame some of the elite athletes in the country.
Believe me, being there at the Stadiums to see these physically challenged athletes, will change ones outlook of life.
Many of us, take life for granted just because we see, hear, talk and walk normally. So much so that many, hardly appreciate the goodness we are blessed in our lives no matter in how small or little way.
There will not only be 288 Malaysian athletes – 226 men and 62 women athletes, but a total of an estimated 5,000 athletes competing for a total of 553 gold medals in 19 disciplines.
It will indeed be a life time opportunity to see what these physically challenged athletes are capable.
I had a rare opportunity to cover the 20th Deaflympic Games in Melbourne in January 2005 in my sports journalism career spanning 27 years, and I dare say that it was one championship which touched me in many ways and made me appreciate live better and especially the physically challenged athletes.
There were moments when I was close to shedding tears when I saw the grit and determination shown by these deaf athletes who competed as if there was no tomorrow and their life depended on the outcome.
Some of colleagues and friends when from the Malay Mail then, laughed and teased me when they learnt that I was going to cover the Deaflympics. But I have this to say to them : “I am having the last laugh because they had missed a life time opportunity to experience something so beautiful which would touch anyone’s life and make them look at life in a different way.”
I did not cover the Melbourne Commonwealth Games a few months later, but even having covered the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the experience I cherished at the Deaflympics far more surpass my experience at the Olympics.
In all my years of covering sports events, never have I seen so much passion shown by athletes in representing their nation and competing for glory.
I expect even more touching moments at the Fespic Games, and it will be an opportunity no Malaysian should miss it.
The Malaysian contingent have boldly predicted that they will be gunning for ten gold medals and these athletes certainly deserve all the moral support to not only achieve but even surpass their target.
The physically challenged are not less than a normal human being because they are more than capable of doing anything any ordinary human being can and in fact more.
Take for instance the Chef-De-Mission of the Malaysian contingent for the Fespic Games – Prof Datuk Dr Ismail Mohd Salleh is an academician and economist.
As he himself aptly put it: Disability is not a hindrance to excellence. We need the will and I believe the team can do it. I hope the people will treat us equally as the able-bodies athletes.”
Ismail who is blind, is proof that disability is not an hindrance to achieving high standards in sports and business.
Ismail is the president of the Malaysian Association for Blind and CEO of the Twintech Holdings Sdn. Bhd.
School children especially should take advantage of the schools holidays to be at every venue possible for the whole of this week to experience for themselves the courage of these physically challenged athletes.
Infact, if some of the Doha Asian Games bound athletes can witness some of the events before they leave for Doha, it would certainly do a great deal for the spirit and morale.
As the logo for the Fespic Games says – Overcoming Challenges, Inspiring Others – these athletes are usually going to make a difference in everyone’s life who take the opportunity to watch them in action.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, himself will officially be declaring the Games open tomorrow (Saturday) at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium at Bandar Tun Razak at 4pm, that alone should underline the importance the government is paying to this Games.
This will be life time opportunity to many Malaysians and it is one they can not afford to miss.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
It's the gold that counts (August 2004 - Malaysian Today)
It's the gold that counts
WITH 97 days left for the Doha Asian Games today (Friday), there is mounting pressure for the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and National Sports Council (NSC) to announce their gold medal targets.
And with the OCM all see to meet next week and announce the qualifiers for the Games, there is going to be additional pressure to come up with targets.
While it is good to set targets, but to come up with number of gold medals three month before the Games could well not only be putting undue pressure on the athletes, but even more importantly, revealing ourselves to competing countries.
Besides, anything can happen within these three months before the Games, and if there is a reason to change the target, it could well draw media criticism.
But that does not mean that there is no monitoring of the progress of the Doha bound-athletes.
In fact, the Doha 2006 programme unit headed by Damien Kelly is constantly monitoring not only the progress of our athletes, but also the progress of opponents.
At the weekly Doha Games management committee headed by NSC;s deputy-director-general, Datuk Zolkples, Damien gives an update of the targeted medals. There have been cases when it varies from time to because of latest developments with either the Malaysian athletes or opponents.
At this meeting also, the National Sports Institute, comes up with detailed reports on all athletes on work done with physiology, conditioning, nutrition, biomechanics, psychology, medical, the findings and observations in each field and the recommendations.
This information is used by coaches to get the athletes in better condition periodically.
But one thing is sure at this point of time, where Malaysia hopes to better it’s last Asian Games outing in Busan four years ago when they won six gold, eight silver and 16 bronze.
Malaysia’s best ever gold medal haul in the Games was at the 1966 Bangkok Asian Games where seven gold medal were won together with five bronze and six bronze.
In terms of total medal haul (all colours), Malaysia hauled 30 at Busan and that is the highest – one more than the one Games before that in Bangkok where the total haul was 29.
But nobody remembers the silver or bronze medalist, despite it meaning being Asia’s number two or three.
Malaysia’s worst outing in the Games since Malaysia started participating at the 1954 Manila Asian Games, was when they returned only with one silver and four bronze.
It is the gold medals that matters to all and will be the measurement for success or failure of the Doha programme.
Thus, the actual target for Doha has to be very carefully decided and announced because it is going to be used as the yardstick for success or failure.
Hence, is fair at this stage, instead of coming up with specific targets and identifying the sports or athletes, to say that they are going to better the Busan six gold medal haul.
But followers of sports in Malaysia, can readily predict the gold medal winners in Doha.
It would be appropriate probably to come up with the exact expected medal haul probably a fortnight before the Games and this will be a more accurate prediction.
Current unofficial predictions have been hovering between eight and ten gold medals.
Predictions can be made, but there is no guarantee in sports.
The best of preparations can go haywire at the eleventh hour. Sometimes in subjective sports, judging can be an issue. The element of luck to comes into play.
But at the end of the day, with the Government allocating huge sum of money for sports, there has to be accountability and results are the best justifications.
However, it is a collective effort with everyone – athletes, coaches, officials and support staff - working in unison and precision for the final product.
Maybe, it is time the media from all the experience over the years, come up with their medal prediction and check it against final results after the Games.
But one prediction which is going come out soon will be from the sports associations, but this will mostly like be an exaggerated one, because most of them will their sports to look good and justify their inclusion for the Games.
Whatever happens, the last call is with the athletes and hopefully they will return from Doha with reasons to be proud and see Malaysian sports continue to get the kind of support the Government has been extending to them.
WITH 97 days left for the Doha Asian Games today (Friday), there is mounting pressure for the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and National Sports Council (NSC) to announce their gold medal targets.
And with the OCM all see to meet next week and announce the qualifiers for the Games, there is going to be additional pressure to come up with targets.
While it is good to set targets, but to come up with number of gold medals three month before the Games could well not only be putting undue pressure on the athletes, but even more importantly, revealing ourselves to competing countries.
Besides, anything can happen within these three months before the Games, and if there is a reason to change the target, it could well draw media criticism.
But that does not mean that there is no monitoring of the progress of the Doha bound-athletes.
In fact, the Doha 2006 programme unit headed by Damien Kelly is constantly monitoring not only the progress of our athletes, but also the progress of opponents.
At the weekly Doha Games management committee headed by NSC;s deputy-director-general, Datuk Zolkples, Damien gives an update of the targeted medals. There have been cases when it varies from time to because of latest developments with either the Malaysian athletes or opponents.
At this meeting also, the National Sports Institute, comes up with detailed reports on all athletes on work done with physiology, conditioning, nutrition, biomechanics, psychology, medical, the findings and observations in each field and the recommendations.
This information is used by coaches to get the athletes in better condition periodically.
But one thing is sure at this point of time, where Malaysia hopes to better it’s last Asian Games outing in Busan four years ago when they won six gold, eight silver and 16 bronze.
Malaysia’s best ever gold medal haul in the Games was at the 1966 Bangkok Asian Games where seven gold medal were won together with five bronze and six bronze.
In terms of total medal haul (all colours), Malaysia hauled 30 at Busan and that is the highest – one more than the one Games before that in Bangkok where the total haul was 29.
But nobody remembers the silver or bronze medalist, despite it meaning being Asia’s number two or three.
Malaysia’s worst outing in the Games since Malaysia started participating at the 1954 Manila Asian Games, was when they returned only with one silver and four bronze.
It is the gold medals that matters to all and will be the measurement for success or failure of the Doha programme.
Thus, the actual target for Doha has to be very carefully decided and announced because it is going to be used as the yardstick for success or failure.
Hence, is fair at this stage, instead of coming up with specific targets and identifying the sports or athletes, to say that they are going to better the Busan six gold medal haul.
But followers of sports in Malaysia, can readily predict the gold medal winners in Doha.
It would be appropriate probably to come up with the exact expected medal haul probably a fortnight before the Games and this will be a more accurate prediction.
Current unofficial predictions have been hovering between eight and ten gold medals.
Predictions can be made, but there is no guarantee in sports.
The best of preparations can go haywire at the eleventh hour. Sometimes in subjective sports, judging can be an issue. The element of luck to comes into play.
But at the end of the day, with the Government allocating huge sum of money for sports, there has to be accountability and results are the best justifications.
However, it is a collective effort with everyone – athletes, coaches, officials and support staff - working in unison and precision for the final product.
Maybe, it is time the media from all the experience over the years, come up with their medal prediction and check it against final results after the Games.
But one prediction which is going come out soon will be from the sports associations, but this will mostly like be an exaggerated one, because most of them will their sports to look good and justify their inclusion for the Games.
Whatever happens, the last call is with the athletes and hopefully they will return from Doha with reasons to be proud and see Malaysian sports continue to get the kind of support the Government has been extending to them.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
NSAs walking on thin ice (2006 - Malaysian Today)
NSAs walking on thin ice
NATIONAL Sports Associations (NSAs), especially those in the Eight Core Sports, are walking on thin ice.
The Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Council (NSC), have had enough of funding NSAs, but not seeing the desired returns in terms of achievements.
NSC is even more concerned because they are literally funding NSAs from A to Z.
Even development work is done by NSC for NSAs.
The last straw to break the camel’s back was when the national badminton team returned from the World Championship in Madrid last week, with just a bronze medal to show from the mixed doubles of Koo Kien Keat and Wong Pei Tty.
While there is reason to believe that the shuttlers were saving their best for the Doha Asian Games in December, NSC;s question is simple – why them go with a full squad and spend almost a million ringgit.
This is the second debacle by a NSA this year, with the hockey team having failed in the World Cup qualifiers earlier.
And NSC is not amused because they have been providing everything the NSAs require, but only to see no results worth mentioning.
Without doubt, the Doha Asian Games, is the last chance for NSAs to put things right and deliver.
Failing which, the NSAs can expect drastic cuts in support and even the possibility of being left out of the Eight Core Sports.
The Government has been very generous in providing support to NSAs both in kind and cash and support over the last few years have been like never seen before in Malaysian sports.
NSC have come to terms that many NSAs have been taking their support for granted, while athletes have been getting into the comfort zone.
And they certainly intend to put as stop to that and it is about time they did, because NSAs have become over-dependent on the NSC.
NSAs are no longer self-reliant and looking for sponsorships to manage their affairs has become a foreign language.
It is no secret that NSAs in Malaysia are a lucky lot, because no where else in the world do NSAs receive the kind of support that is available in Malaysia.
Yes, foreign nations too support their sports, but it is minimal and if the amount is big, then they are supporting winners not losers.
NSC’s outburst after the badminton’s dismal performance at Madrid, had better serve as a final warning to NSAs because the Government is dead-serious about cutting down the support, if no results are fort coming.
Of course, success does not come overnight, but at least there must be some signs that a particular sports in moving in the right direction.
All that most sports have been signaling, is the downward trend.
Just look at athletics, which was the pride of the nation not too long among many other sports including soccer.
It was pathetic to witness at their recent national championships in Penang that foreign teams like Thailand and Myanmar sent more athletes than some States.
And the fact that some events did not even have enough athletes, was surely a sign that something was wrong in the sports and that development has been neglected starring at us.
Instead of trying to restore some pride in the historical sport, there is in-fighting in the association, getting rid of people who are interested in doing genuine work and almost everyone working against each other and harmony is an alien word to them.
Sport in the country is indeed in a sad state of affairs, when it should be at its best with the kind of support they get from the Government these days.
To make matters worse, there are NSAs who do not even have their house in order.
How are they going to look into the welfare of their athletes, when they own house is in a mess.
Sometimes, officials forget that they exist because of the athletes.
Of course some officials, will want to argue that without them, the athletes do not exist.
But one look at most NSAs clearly show that it is the officials who are messing up things in their associations.
To top it all, we have unscrupulous officials who misuse the funds of their NSAs.
Maybe, the time has come for all senior officials who have over-stayed their welcome in their respective NSAs to make way for young and professional blood to manage NSAs like it should be in this modern age of sports – like a business.
At least then, we will have proper accountability, transparency and creditability in NSAs.
And the sooner it happens, the better it is for the future of Malaysian sports.
Indications are that some drastic measures are expected to be taken after the Doha Asian Games as a measure of house cleaning in many NSAs.
NATIONAL Sports Associations (NSAs), especially those in the Eight Core Sports, are walking on thin ice.
The Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Council (NSC), have had enough of funding NSAs, but not seeing the desired returns in terms of achievements.
NSC is even more concerned because they are literally funding NSAs from A to Z.
Even development work is done by NSC for NSAs.
The last straw to break the camel’s back was when the national badminton team returned from the World Championship in Madrid last week, with just a bronze medal to show from the mixed doubles of Koo Kien Keat and Wong Pei Tty.
While there is reason to believe that the shuttlers were saving their best for the Doha Asian Games in December, NSC;s question is simple – why them go with a full squad and spend almost a million ringgit.
This is the second debacle by a NSA this year, with the hockey team having failed in the World Cup qualifiers earlier.
And NSC is not amused because they have been providing everything the NSAs require, but only to see no results worth mentioning.
Without doubt, the Doha Asian Games, is the last chance for NSAs to put things right and deliver.
Failing which, the NSAs can expect drastic cuts in support and even the possibility of being left out of the Eight Core Sports.
The Government has been very generous in providing support to NSAs both in kind and cash and support over the last few years have been like never seen before in Malaysian sports.
NSC have come to terms that many NSAs have been taking their support for granted, while athletes have been getting into the comfort zone.
And they certainly intend to put as stop to that and it is about time they did, because NSAs have become over-dependent on the NSC.
NSAs are no longer self-reliant and looking for sponsorships to manage their affairs has become a foreign language.
It is no secret that NSAs in Malaysia are a lucky lot, because no where else in the world do NSAs receive the kind of support that is available in Malaysia.
Yes, foreign nations too support their sports, but it is minimal and if the amount is big, then they are supporting winners not losers.
NSC’s outburst after the badminton’s dismal performance at Madrid, had better serve as a final warning to NSAs because the Government is dead-serious about cutting down the support, if no results are fort coming.
Of course, success does not come overnight, but at least there must be some signs that a particular sports in moving in the right direction.
All that most sports have been signaling, is the downward trend.
Just look at athletics, which was the pride of the nation not too long among many other sports including soccer.
It was pathetic to witness at their recent national championships in Penang that foreign teams like Thailand and Myanmar sent more athletes than some States.
And the fact that some events did not even have enough athletes, was surely a sign that something was wrong in the sports and that development has been neglected starring at us.
Instead of trying to restore some pride in the historical sport, there is in-fighting in the association, getting rid of people who are interested in doing genuine work and almost everyone working against each other and harmony is an alien word to them.
Sport in the country is indeed in a sad state of affairs, when it should be at its best with the kind of support they get from the Government these days.
To make matters worse, there are NSAs who do not even have their house in order.
How are they going to look into the welfare of their athletes, when they own house is in a mess.
Sometimes, officials forget that they exist because of the athletes.
Of course some officials, will want to argue that without them, the athletes do not exist.
But one look at most NSAs clearly show that it is the officials who are messing up things in their associations.
To top it all, we have unscrupulous officials who misuse the funds of their NSAs.
Maybe, the time has come for all senior officials who have over-stayed their welcome in their respective NSAs to make way for young and professional blood to manage NSAs like it should be in this modern age of sports – like a business.
At least then, we will have proper accountability, transparency and creditability in NSAs.
And the sooner it happens, the better it is for the future of Malaysian sports.
Indications are that some drastic measures are expected to be taken after the Doha Asian Games as a measure of house cleaning in many NSAs.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Stand up and be counted (Sept 2006 - Malaysian Today)
Stand up and be counted
WHAT are the responsibilities of National Sports Associations (NSAs) today?
Gone are the days when NSAs were responsible for the development of their respective sports and their sports achieving the highest level of performance, both locally and internationally.
Moreover, most of the NSAs used to produce results in both areas despite them being amateurs and the associations run mainly by volunteers.
But these days with fulltime staff in NSAs and sports having moved into a professional era, the results are not forthcoming.
More sadly, the development of sports has been neglected by most.
These days, NSAs look to the National Sports Council and the Ministry of Sports for almost every activity they want to do.
Of course, there are a handful of NSAs who source for their own funds, but the majority just wait for handouts.
Just look at NSAs that have done well in their respective sports. One thing that shines like a beacon is that the administration is excellent and the NSA is headed by sports-loving personnel with professional backgrounds.
It is appalling how some NSAs ask for funds to host events and submit the entire budget for these – from allowances for officials to the farewell dinner -- without making any effort to get funds on their own.
Or is it that NSAs do source for sponsorship, but do not make it known? They still manage to organise their events although, more often than not, when their request is finally approved, they only get a portion of the budget they submitted.
So, is there any accountability for the sponsorship money?
There are NSAs whose sport is fast dropping in standards, but they want to impress the world by trying to organise international seminars and courses, but with funds from the NSC or the Ministry of Sports.
Then there are NSAs which receive aid from the funding authorities, but still complain that they have not been supported financially.
Some even complain that all the funding has been going towards the athletes’ training, allowance, food and lodging, while they themselves do not get cash in hand.
Are the athletes from NSAs not part and parcel of them?
To top it all, when their sports does not deliver at international events, they point the finger at the NSC; some have even accused it of meddling in their affairs.
But when they ask for funds, they ask for the sky.
It is about time NSAs are held accountable and responsible too.
When they present their cases to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) for the inclusion of their athletes in international events, they promise that they can deliver a certain number of gold medals just to get their athletes in.
But when their athletes fail, they look for scapegoats to pin the blame on.
At least, they should share some of the responsibility with the NSC which provide them with financial aid for training and development and support services for their athletes.
Foreign coaches are even hired after consultation with NSAs. So, are NSAs not answerable for their choices when their sports does not deliver.
The NSC and the Ministry of Sports too have to take a share of the blame for being too generous and letting others take them for granted.
Maybe the Government’s policy to support sports in a big way and the allocation of huge amounts of money has made all NSAs complacent and over-dependent.
There needs to be a review and funds only allocated to the real deserving cases, like NSAs that have a track record of delivering when it matters most, NSAs that give proper account of all funds used from allocations and NSAs that are transparent and genuine in their efforts.
Officials who are in NSAs for their own benefit and have their own agenda have to make way for those who are truly passionate about sports.
Sports certainly does not need officials who only give lip service, use their political clout to get things for themselves and above all, kill the sports they are in charge of.
It is only a matter of time before heads roll and the culprits are exposed and hopefully when the New Year comes in four months’ time, Malaysian sports can, once and for all, start on a fresh footing that is conducive to its development, growth and excellence.
For far too long, many have taken advantage of the generosity available in the name of sports, and in the end, the athletes and sports are the losers.
The brakes have to be applied to this and it must happen before Malaysian sports becomes a joke.
WHAT are the responsibilities of National Sports Associations (NSAs) today?
Gone are the days when NSAs were responsible for the development of their respective sports and their sports achieving the highest level of performance, both locally and internationally.
Moreover, most of the NSAs used to produce results in both areas despite them being amateurs and the associations run mainly by volunteers.
But these days with fulltime staff in NSAs and sports having moved into a professional era, the results are not forthcoming.
More sadly, the development of sports has been neglected by most.
These days, NSAs look to the National Sports Council and the Ministry of Sports for almost every activity they want to do.
Of course, there are a handful of NSAs who source for their own funds, but the majority just wait for handouts.
Just look at NSAs that have done well in their respective sports. One thing that shines like a beacon is that the administration is excellent and the NSA is headed by sports-loving personnel with professional backgrounds.
It is appalling how some NSAs ask for funds to host events and submit the entire budget for these – from allowances for officials to the farewell dinner -- without making any effort to get funds on their own.
Or is it that NSAs do source for sponsorship, but do not make it known? They still manage to organise their events although, more often than not, when their request is finally approved, they only get a portion of the budget they submitted.
So, is there any accountability for the sponsorship money?
There are NSAs whose sport is fast dropping in standards, but they want to impress the world by trying to organise international seminars and courses, but with funds from the NSC or the Ministry of Sports.
Then there are NSAs which receive aid from the funding authorities, but still complain that they have not been supported financially.
Some even complain that all the funding has been going towards the athletes’ training, allowance, food and lodging, while they themselves do not get cash in hand.
Are the athletes from NSAs not part and parcel of them?
To top it all, when their sports does not deliver at international events, they point the finger at the NSC; some have even accused it of meddling in their affairs.
But when they ask for funds, they ask for the sky.
It is about time NSAs are held accountable and responsible too.
When they present their cases to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) for the inclusion of their athletes in international events, they promise that they can deliver a certain number of gold medals just to get their athletes in.
But when their athletes fail, they look for scapegoats to pin the blame on.
At least, they should share some of the responsibility with the NSC which provide them with financial aid for training and development and support services for their athletes.
Foreign coaches are even hired after consultation with NSAs. So, are NSAs not answerable for their choices when their sports does not deliver.
The NSC and the Ministry of Sports too have to take a share of the blame for being too generous and letting others take them for granted.
Maybe the Government’s policy to support sports in a big way and the allocation of huge amounts of money has made all NSAs complacent and over-dependent.
There needs to be a review and funds only allocated to the real deserving cases, like NSAs that have a track record of delivering when it matters most, NSAs that give proper account of all funds used from allocations and NSAs that are transparent and genuine in their efforts.
Officials who are in NSAs for their own benefit and have their own agenda have to make way for those who are truly passionate about sports.
Sports certainly does not need officials who only give lip service, use their political clout to get things for themselves and above all, kill the sports they are in charge of.
It is only a matter of time before heads roll and the culprits are exposed and hopefully when the New Year comes in four months’ time, Malaysian sports can, once and for all, start on a fresh footing that is conducive to its development, growth and excellence.
For far too long, many have taken advantage of the generosity available in the name of sports, and in the end, the athletes and sports are the losers.
The brakes have to be applied to this and it must happen before Malaysian sports becomes a joke.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Cobra Sting! (2006- Malaysian Today)
Cobra Sting!
IT is private clubs like Cobra (Combined Old Boys Rugby Association) who have given hope for the future of sports in the Malaysia.
While many national sports associations have become over depended on handouts to conduct their activities, it is clubs like Cobra who have emerged that pride and passion can take them a long way.
Infact, putting to shame many established associations who come no where close to the management of Cobra.
And this was clearly noticed and underlined by none other than the Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Azalina Othman Said when she was invited by Cobra to their humble home in Petaling Jaya to officially announce the club’s 36th HSBC-Cobra Invitational Rugby 10s to held from Sept 8-10 at the Petaling Jaya Stadium in Kelana Jaya.
Azalina went to commend on the club for having achieved what many established sports associations have failed, where they had not only organized an international tournament with excellence, but at the sametime went on to expose Malaysia to the world.
And it was just not the international exposure that the tournament attained, but the fact the club’s development programme was displayed to the world, drew accolades.
And to top it all, the club members worked very hard to raise the funds for the event and ensured transparency to the core, that corporate sponsors had no hesitation to return and continue to support them.
For a club with a humble beginning when they were formed in 1967 to encourage young Malaysians to continue playing rugby after leaving school, they have certainly come a long way.
The clubhouse today stands on a piece of land which pioneer and life member Datuk Aziz Ismail, one of the best scrum-halves the nation produced, had assisted to acquire in the 70s when he was attached to the Petaling Jaya Land Office.
Today the club boasts of a complex which has a gymnasium, squash and badminton courts, training rooms, dormitories and function rooms.
It has been a long walk to where they are today, but it was pride and passion for the game, that has seen the club this far.
Officials leading the club are sportsmen who only have the game at heart.
Their ability to coax sponsors and working partners in terms of big corporations, only speaks volume of confidence this club is oozing out.
Infact, more and more private clubs like Ulu Kelang Recreation Club, Selangor Club, Penang Sports Club, Penang Swimming Club, Penang Chinese Swimming Club to name a few have surfaced to show excellent management and programmes held to uplift sports in the country.
Malaysians generally have been known to be excellent organisers, but of late have got some backlashes as more and more associations either take things for granted or take the easy way out by getting management companies to manage their affairs for them.
But Cobra will have no such thing, because they are proud of what they do and want to slog it out themselves, so that they can savor the fruit of their labour.
More importantly, they do not want to tarnish their good reputation built over the years.
Their previous tournament report presented on Tuesday, was nothing less to a big corporation report with every minute detail listed – from number of newspapers clippings which appeared for the tournament to television viewership.
That a small club like Cobra could attract international television to air their tournament which finally reached 90 million household world wide, is indeed by no means an easy feat.
It was not surprising that Azalina in her speech said that many NSAs can take cue from Cobra.
Azalina said: “If only all national associations managed like Cobra, sports in the country will be striving.”
Indeed, sports in Malaysia will be booming, especially with excellent Government support which includes millions of ringgit spent on sports, infra-structure, incentives, salaries etc.
What most national associations lack compared to Cobra is the pride and passion for the game.
Many are in the sports for the money they can make out of it, rather than what they can give the game.
With sports sponsorship being part and parcel of the game, many have taken these sponsorships for granted and in some instances, even abused it.
Sponsors have every right to demand for accountability, but more often than not, sponsors are treated as just as “hand-out machines”.
Sports has moved to a new and modern generation, but with it, officials have to keep tab with the latest developments and trends in sports management and manage their associations like they managing corporations.
Cobra is a fine shining example for NSAs to emulate, because if a small club of 200 members can achieve something so magnitude and meaningful, they surely must have something good going.
Long live Cobra!
IT is private clubs like Cobra (Combined Old Boys Rugby Association) who have given hope for the future of sports in the Malaysia.
While many national sports associations have become over depended on handouts to conduct their activities, it is clubs like Cobra who have emerged that pride and passion can take them a long way.
Infact, putting to shame many established associations who come no where close to the management of Cobra.
And this was clearly noticed and underlined by none other than the Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Azalina Othman Said when she was invited by Cobra to their humble home in Petaling Jaya to officially announce the club’s 36th HSBC-Cobra Invitational Rugby 10s to held from Sept 8-10 at the Petaling Jaya Stadium in Kelana Jaya.
Azalina went to commend on the club for having achieved what many established sports associations have failed, where they had not only organized an international tournament with excellence, but at the sametime went on to expose Malaysia to the world.
And it was just not the international exposure that the tournament attained, but the fact the club’s development programme was displayed to the world, drew accolades.
And to top it all, the club members worked very hard to raise the funds for the event and ensured transparency to the core, that corporate sponsors had no hesitation to return and continue to support them.
For a club with a humble beginning when they were formed in 1967 to encourage young Malaysians to continue playing rugby after leaving school, they have certainly come a long way.
The clubhouse today stands on a piece of land which pioneer and life member Datuk Aziz Ismail, one of the best scrum-halves the nation produced, had assisted to acquire in the 70s when he was attached to the Petaling Jaya Land Office.
Today the club boasts of a complex which has a gymnasium, squash and badminton courts, training rooms, dormitories and function rooms.
It has been a long walk to where they are today, but it was pride and passion for the game, that has seen the club this far.
Officials leading the club are sportsmen who only have the game at heart.
Their ability to coax sponsors and working partners in terms of big corporations, only speaks volume of confidence this club is oozing out.
Infact, more and more private clubs like Ulu Kelang Recreation Club, Selangor Club, Penang Sports Club, Penang Swimming Club, Penang Chinese Swimming Club to name a few have surfaced to show excellent management and programmes held to uplift sports in the country.
Malaysians generally have been known to be excellent organisers, but of late have got some backlashes as more and more associations either take things for granted or take the easy way out by getting management companies to manage their affairs for them.
But Cobra will have no such thing, because they are proud of what they do and want to slog it out themselves, so that they can savor the fruit of their labour.
More importantly, they do not want to tarnish their good reputation built over the years.
Their previous tournament report presented on Tuesday, was nothing less to a big corporation report with every minute detail listed – from number of newspapers clippings which appeared for the tournament to television viewership.
That a small club like Cobra could attract international television to air their tournament which finally reached 90 million household world wide, is indeed by no means an easy feat.
It was not surprising that Azalina in her speech said that many NSAs can take cue from Cobra.
Azalina said: “If only all national associations managed like Cobra, sports in the country will be striving.”
Indeed, sports in Malaysia will be booming, especially with excellent Government support which includes millions of ringgit spent on sports, infra-structure, incentives, salaries etc.
What most national associations lack compared to Cobra is the pride and passion for the game.
Many are in the sports for the money they can make out of it, rather than what they can give the game.
With sports sponsorship being part and parcel of the game, many have taken these sponsorships for granted and in some instances, even abused it.
Sponsors have every right to demand for accountability, but more often than not, sponsors are treated as just as “hand-out machines”.
Sports has moved to a new and modern generation, but with it, officials have to keep tab with the latest developments and trends in sports management and manage their associations like they managing corporations.
Cobra is a fine shining example for NSAs to emulate, because if a small club of 200 members can achieve something so magnitude and meaningful, they surely must have something good going.
Long live Cobra!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
The sour taste of failure (August 2006 - Malaysian Today)
The sour taste of failure
TRANSPARENCY and accountability are two musts in Malaysian sports, if it is move to the next level to excel in international field with a fair amount of success.
For as long as sports associations try to sweep issues under the carpet or fail to reveal findings to the taxpayers, who have every right to know what went right or wrong, Malaysian sports is not going to take the forward step.
For as long as sports associations wants to protect certain officials, coaches or players and are afraid to reveal the truth, they will continue to stay in the doldrums because they are going to make the same mistake the next time around.
For as long as sports associations look for excuses for their failure and start pointing fingers, except accept the responsibility of failure by themselves, they will continue to pass the buck to someone else to take the wrath for them.
It has happened many a time in the past and it has happened again after the recent World Cup qualifiers in China.
A special committee headed by the Malaysian Hockey Federation(MHF) deputy president, Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, Disciplinary Board chairman, Datuk Ho Ko Chye and independent member Datuk R. Yogeswaran, was set up by MHF to come up with comprehensive report on the team’s failure in China.
A comprehensive report they certainly came up, but the full report was not presented at the MHF Council, but was only privy to the MHF executive committee only.
It was the MHF executive committee’s decision that the full detailed report will not be circulated to the MHF Council who met Aug 5.
A summarised version of the report prepared for the Council, which was actually a calendar for events of whom the special committee interviewed and when and some selected recommendations from the detailed report.
It is learnt that the detailed report had more “meat” and several personalities were taken to task.
The media too were not given the detailed report, but the summarised version only.
When things are hid, it is only naturally that sports journalists want to get to the bottom of the matter and try all means to get the full report. This would mean talking to officials and therein lies the danger because some of them may not be fully aware of the detailed reports, but with the little knowledge they know normally through hearsay, they interpret it to their understanding.
And in the end all sorts of versions come up and only confuse the matter further.
One of the issue which has come up out of this report is that apparently some blame was directed to the National Sports Council (NSC) for meddling with the affairs of MHF.
Whether this is true or not, that it was part of the report, the fact that it has surfaced, has got NSC all upset because they certainly did interfere with the workings of MHF.
Whatever assistance, mainly support service, was given to MHF, was at the latter’s request and also after joint discussions and agreed upon by both parties.
To now point the accusing finger at NSC is indeed merely looking for a scapegoat.
And NSC will certainly not tolerate such irresponsibility. Afterall, it is NSC who has been the financier and to bite the hand that feeds, is indeed souring relations and may even lead to a rethink of funds being granted in future.
NSC will definitely get to the bottom of it, if it surfaces through the proper channel.
There were times not so long ago when sports associations managed themselves and did well too.
But of late, they have become over dependent on funds from the government to conduct their activities.
Sponsors who have in the past come out readily in support of sports associations’ programmes and even have been partners, have shied away because they did not get the mileage promised to them or there was no transparency to show how the sponsorship money was spent. In some cases, sponsors were totally left out of the picture once the funds had already come in.
And that is what the Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Azalina Othman Said, herself has been speaking out lately - emphasising on Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for events and sports associations.
At the rate unfavorable reports are surfacing with sports associations who get assistance from the Government, a review might be in order and if sports associations get less in future or even none, they have only to blame themselves.
The Sports Ministry and NSC, too have to be accountable because they cannot go on supporting sports associations, if results are not fort coming.
Sports Associations had better start putting on their thinking caps and start operating like corporations or do the honorable thing by allowing professionals to run the associations.
TRANSPARENCY and accountability are two musts in Malaysian sports, if it is move to the next level to excel in international field with a fair amount of success.
For as long as sports associations try to sweep issues under the carpet or fail to reveal findings to the taxpayers, who have every right to know what went right or wrong, Malaysian sports is not going to take the forward step.
For as long as sports associations wants to protect certain officials, coaches or players and are afraid to reveal the truth, they will continue to stay in the doldrums because they are going to make the same mistake the next time around.
For as long as sports associations look for excuses for their failure and start pointing fingers, except accept the responsibility of failure by themselves, they will continue to pass the buck to someone else to take the wrath for them.
It has happened many a time in the past and it has happened again after the recent World Cup qualifiers in China.
A special committee headed by the Malaysian Hockey Federation(MHF) deputy president, Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, Disciplinary Board chairman, Datuk Ho Ko Chye and independent member Datuk R. Yogeswaran, was set up by MHF to come up with comprehensive report on the team’s failure in China.
A comprehensive report they certainly came up, but the full report was not presented at the MHF Council, but was only privy to the MHF executive committee only.
It was the MHF executive committee’s decision that the full detailed report will not be circulated to the MHF Council who met Aug 5.
A summarised version of the report prepared for the Council, which was actually a calendar for events of whom the special committee interviewed and when and some selected recommendations from the detailed report.
It is learnt that the detailed report had more “meat” and several personalities were taken to task.
The media too were not given the detailed report, but the summarised version only.
When things are hid, it is only naturally that sports journalists want to get to the bottom of the matter and try all means to get the full report. This would mean talking to officials and therein lies the danger because some of them may not be fully aware of the detailed reports, but with the little knowledge they know normally through hearsay, they interpret it to their understanding.
And in the end all sorts of versions come up and only confuse the matter further.
One of the issue which has come up out of this report is that apparently some blame was directed to the National Sports Council (NSC) for meddling with the affairs of MHF.
Whether this is true or not, that it was part of the report, the fact that it has surfaced, has got NSC all upset because they certainly did interfere with the workings of MHF.
Whatever assistance, mainly support service, was given to MHF, was at the latter’s request and also after joint discussions and agreed upon by both parties.
To now point the accusing finger at NSC is indeed merely looking for a scapegoat.
And NSC will certainly not tolerate such irresponsibility. Afterall, it is NSC who has been the financier and to bite the hand that feeds, is indeed souring relations and may even lead to a rethink of funds being granted in future.
NSC will definitely get to the bottom of it, if it surfaces through the proper channel.
There were times not so long ago when sports associations managed themselves and did well too.
But of late, they have become over dependent on funds from the government to conduct their activities.
Sponsors who have in the past come out readily in support of sports associations’ programmes and even have been partners, have shied away because they did not get the mileage promised to them or there was no transparency to show how the sponsorship money was spent. In some cases, sponsors were totally left out of the picture once the funds had already come in.
And that is what the Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Azalina Othman Said, herself has been speaking out lately - emphasising on Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for events and sports associations.
At the rate unfavorable reports are surfacing with sports associations who get assistance from the Government, a review might be in order and if sports associations get less in future or even none, they have only to blame themselves.
The Sports Ministry and NSC, too have to be accountable because they cannot go on supporting sports associations, if results are not fort coming.
Sports Associations had better start putting on their thinking caps and start operating like corporations or do the honorable thing by allowing professionals to run the associations.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Pampered Lot? (2006- Malaysian Today)
Pampered Lot?
ARE our Malaysian athletes a pampered lot and who demand a great?
If present days are compared to yesteryears sportsmen and women, there is no doubt that the current athletes are indeed a pampered lot.
But the argument would be that times have changed and sport now plays an integral part of the society.
Agreed. But then should not the results in sports be better than yesterday years.
Outstanding achievements and rankings in the world of several sports were attained twenty thirty years ago, when facilities were at bare minimum, the assistance of top level and foreign coaches virtually missing, support and funding from government also minimum or non-existence, hardly any rewards offered for achievements and the benefit of overseas training stints being rare or nil.
Presently, with ultra modern facilities which are world-class, availability of top coaches both from locally and foreign, full support from the government including scholarships to further education, high rewards in terms of cash and material and not only regular overseas training stints, but being based overseas for long term periods and more recently even the setting up of a permanent training centre in London, athletes are still unable to produce the desired results and put Malaysia on higher grounds in the world arena.
Now we have to ask if the present day athletes are a lot pampered who have lost the drive for success, glory and honour and some are even branded as “spoilt-brats.”
There have been cases of athletes who had the benefit of overseas stints on a long term period together with education, but at the end hold bodies like the National Sports Council (NSC) and National Associations (NA) are ransom.
These athletes, either demand more from the NSC or NA every time while they are based overseas, or at the end of their stint of studies, do no want to return to Malaysia to repay the dues and knowledge they have gathered over the years.
Then, there are those who are recalled back to Malaysia to continue training on home soil, who refuse to return and threaten to quit the sports if they are forced to return.
There are others who prepared to return, provided they are given the same remunerations as they were when they were based overseas.
Of course, we also have home based athletes who are continuously asking for better remunerations, but have not produces results to equate the spending and returns.
The Government, through the Ministry of Sports and NSC, has continuously been trying to improve the status of athletes in the country, and presently there are great opportunities and is worthwhile for athletes, to make sports a career.
Even coaches have been recognised and athletes after their prime, can become coaches and earn a decent living.
Yet, Malaysia is still struggling to make a strong impact in many sports and in some sports where achievements are forthcoming, it is not on a consistent basis.
There is no doubt that NSC is taking a serious view on the matter, and unless the athletes can change their mind-set, work towards excellence with great passion, and be consistent, they could be up against some censures.
As much as the Government supports sports, there needs to be accountability too.
The Doha Asian Games in December, will be a yardstick to measure some amount of success especially from the elite athletes and after which, there is a strong indication that there is going to be stock taking.
The Government cannot be pouring in the money to sports without proper returns.
And the athletes have the onus to prove themselves and repay their dues.
Failing which, they could well be deciding their own fate.
It is not that the Government is going to stop funding if there are no results, but they could well be very selective and probably pay more emphasis on development with the hope of producing a new set of athletes with the right mindset towards sports.
Gone are the days of passion, pride and perfection.
To be fair to the athletes, there are athletes with the above qualities presently, but there out numbered by those who believe that sports owe them a living instead of earning it.
When we have athletes even at the Malaysia Games who hold States at a ransom where they offer their services to the one who pays them the highest, they have become mercenaries.
Even mercenaries can be forgiven, if they return with victory and honour, but when results are not forthcoming, they are only taking the taxpayers for a ride!
ARE our Malaysian athletes a pampered lot and who demand a great?
If present days are compared to yesteryears sportsmen and women, there is no doubt that the current athletes are indeed a pampered lot.
But the argument would be that times have changed and sport now plays an integral part of the society.
Agreed. But then should not the results in sports be better than yesterday years.
Outstanding achievements and rankings in the world of several sports were attained twenty thirty years ago, when facilities were at bare minimum, the assistance of top level and foreign coaches virtually missing, support and funding from government also minimum or non-existence, hardly any rewards offered for achievements and the benefit of overseas training stints being rare or nil.
Presently, with ultra modern facilities which are world-class, availability of top coaches both from locally and foreign, full support from the government including scholarships to further education, high rewards in terms of cash and material and not only regular overseas training stints, but being based overseas for long term periods and more recently even the setting up of a permanent training centre in London, athletes are still unable to produce the desired results and put Malaysia on higher grounds in the world arena.
Now we have to ask if the present day athletes are a lot pampered who have lost the drive for success, glory and honour and some are even branded as “spoilt-brats.”
There have been cases of athletes who had the benefit of overseas stints on a long term period together with education, but at the end hold bodies like the National Sports Council (NSC) and National Associations (NA) are ransom.
These athletes, either demand more from the NSC or NA every time while they are based overseas, or at the end of their stint of studies, do no want to return to Malaysia to repay the dues and knowledge they have gathered over the years.
Then, there are those who are recalled back to Malaysia to continue training on home soil, who refuse to return and threaten to quit the sports if they are forced to return.
There are others who prepared to return, provided they are given the same remunerations as they were when they were based overseas.
Of course, we also have home based athletes who are continuously asking for better remunerations, but have not produces results to equate the spending and returns.
The Government, through the Ministry of Sports and NSC, has continuously been trying to improve the status of athletes in the country, and presently there are great opportunities and is worthwhile for athletes, to make sports a career.
Even coaches have been recognised and athletes after their prime, can become coaches and earn a decent living.
Yet, Malaysia is still struggling to make a strong impact in many sports and in some sports where achievements are forthcoming, it is not on a consistent basis.
There is no doubt that NSC is taking a serious view on the matter, and unless the athletes can change their mind-set, work towards excellence with great passion, and be consistent, they could be up against some censures.
As much as the Government supports sports, there needs to be accountability too.
The Doha Asian Games in December, will be a yardstick to measure some amount of success especially from the elite athletes and after which, there is a strong indication that there is going to be stock taking.
The Government cannot be pouring in the money to sports without proper returns.
And the athletes have the onus to prove themselves and repay their dues.
Failing which, they could well be deciding their own fate.
It is not that the Government is going to stop funding if there are no results, but they could well be very selective and probably pay more emphasis on development with the hope of producing a new set of athletes with the right mindset towards sports.
Gone are the days of passion, pride and perfection.
To be fair to the athletes, there are athletes with the above qualities presently, but there out numbered by those who believe that sports owe them a living instead of earning it.
When we have athletes even at the Malaysia Games who hold States at a ransom where they offer their services to the one who pays them the highest, they have become mercenaries.
Even mercenaries can be forgiven, if they return with victory and honour, but when results are not forthcoming, they are only taking the taxpayers for a ride!
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