FACTS OF MALAYA/MALAYSIA CUP

MALAYA/MALAYSIA CUP FACTS:

Compiled by TONY MARIADASS

PICTURE COURTESY OF MEDIA 247

1. First Malaysia (Malaya) Cup final was held in 1921 in Kuala Lumpur between Singapore and Selangor. Singapore won 2-1 and the referee was R.S.M. MacDonald.
2. 2    The first Malaya Cup final in 1921 was played at the Selangor Padang. (Dataran Merdeka) and it was the favoured final venue for many more finals.
3. 3.     Four finals were played at Selangor Padang before it was played in Singapore Anson Road Stadium – Singapore beat Selangor 2-1, before it returned to be played Selangor Padang.
4. 4.     Other venues the Malaysia cup final was played include Chinese Assemble Hall, Ipoh (1931), Rifle Range Road, Singapore (1933), City Stadium, Penang (1969, 1974) and Perak Stadium (1971).
5. 5.     Following the 1956 final, the Cup final moved to its permanent home – the 40,000 capacity Merdeka Stadium – except for the years 1969 and 1974 when it was held the Penang City Stadium.
6. 6.     The visit of the HMS Malaya, the battleship presented by the then Federated Malay States to the British Navy during the First World War, to Malaya in 1921 opened a new era for football in the country.
7. 7.     The Malaya Cup competition was founded on 20th August 1921 (100 years ago)
8. 8.     Captain Buller, his officers, and men, in gratitude for the hospitality shown them by their Malayan hosts, presented a trophy – the H.M.S. Malaya Cup – and the rest is history.
9. 9.     Prior to this for more than 30 years, football was played in all parts of Malaya and Borneo – mostly localised with frequent inter-state games which were mostly great social events rather full-blooded matches.
10. 10.The Malaya Cup began as a village fete where fans were reminded not to ‘go beyond the rope and invade the field” or ‘attach the referee or linemen or throw things on the pain of arrest or fine’.
11. 11.There was no controlling body for football in Malaya when the inaugural competition was organized.
12. 12.Some States and Settlements (the Straits Settlement of Malacca and Penang) had no central organisation until late 20s.
13. 13.The organisation of the Malaya Cup competition was vested in a Special Malaya Cup committee which comprised leading government officials and representatives of some of the leading clubs in the country.
14. 14.The Malayan Football Association was formed and in 1933 or thereabouts, the name was changed to the Football Association of Malaya.
15. 15. By the early 30s, almost all the states and settlements except Pahang, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu had formed “control” bodies.
16. 16.In 1936, the Malaya Cup-committee relinquished its responsibility of organising the competition to FAM.
17. 17.The period 1921 to 1941, saw Singapore dominant with 12 straight victories and two drawn finals against Selangor. Selangor itself won the Cup five times in 15 appearances. Perak won twice, with Penang twice finalists and Kedah once to add their name to the Cup honour rolls.
18. 18.There was no competition between 1942-1947 (six years) because of the Second World War.
19. 19.The Malaya Cup competition was revived in 1948.
20. 20.Following the revival, Pahang FA was formed in 1951, the Kelantan FA came to being, followed by Terengganu a year later and Perlis in 1953.
21. 21.All states and settlements joined the fold as full affiliates and were eligible for participation in the competition.
22. 22.The Malaya Cup continued to be the much favoured and popular tournament despite three other competitions emerged – the FAM Cup, the North versus South match, and the Federation of Malaya versus Singapore annual.
23. 23.The format of the competition, with the full participation of states spanning the length and breath of the country, saw the adoption of zonal competition – North, South, and East over a time span of several months.
24. 24.The period from the revival of the competition to 1967, when the competition was renamed the MALAYSIA CUP, saw a more equitable spread of Cup finals honours with Penang and Negri Sembilan, occasionally challenging the might of Selangor and Singapore.
25. 25. With the Malaya Cup retired it now resides at National Museum in Kuala Lumpur.
26. 26.Perak were the first team to lift the Malaysia Cup at the Merdeka Stadium in 1957.
27. 27.In 2019 the Malaysia Cup final returned to the National Stadium for the final between Johor Darl Ta’zim (JDT) and Kedah. The National Stadium last hosted the final in 2014.
28. 28. The last four finals prior to 2019 was held at the Shah Alam Stadium as the National Stadium had issues with the pitch and was undergoing renovations.
29. 29.The Bukit Jalil National Stadium with a capacity of over 87,000 seats, was first used for the Malaysia Cup final in 1998, which saw Perak emerge champions for the sixth time beating Terengganu on penalties.
30. 30.While the previous tournaments had been segmented into geographical zones, the 1979 edition saw every team play each other in a 17-team competition.
31. 31. New entries were Federal Territory (now known as Kuala Lumpur), the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the independent sultanate of Brunei.
32. 32.In 1981 the quarterfinals stage was introduced.
33. 33.In 2002, MMPJ FC became the first club and a non-state team to win the Cup.
34. 34.Teams representing two of Malaysia’s neighboring  countries have been involved in the competition, but Brunei won the Cup in 1999 in and all Borneo team final defeating Sarawak -2-1.
35. 35.The 1999 final at Merdeka Stadium was the last time the Malaysia Cup was held at the venue.
36. 36.Singapore has won the Cup 24 times since their inaugural appearance in 1921 and are the second most successful team. They were runner up 19 times.
37. 37.After Singapore last win in 1994, they withdrew from the competition.
38. 38.Singapore was back in the competition in 2012 but were represented by LIONSXII
39. 39.Singapore won the Malaysia Cup 14 times (twice as joint champions) and were finalists 21 times in the pre-war years between 1921-1941.
40. 40.The competition which was managed by FAM was transferred to be managed by Football Malaysia –LLP – (previously known as Malaysian Football League – MFL -) in 2016.
41. 41.Most successful team is Selangor having been victorious 33 times and runners up 16 times.
42. 42. Perak is the third team in ranking in winning the Malaysia Cup for 8 times from 11 finals.
43. 43.Perak first Malaysia Cup was won in 1967 when they beat Singapore 2-1 and M. Karathu scored the first goal. Karathu donated the winning medal to the National Museum.
44. 44.Perak were the first team to lift the Malaysia Cup at the Merdeka Stadium in 1957.
45. 45.Former national badminton ace Datuk Ng Boon Bee had scored 10 goals to become the top scorer in the 1959 edition with the Perak team.
46. 46.M. Karathu played in four Malaysia Cup final and in second final captained Perak to defeat Kelantan 2-0 in 1970.
47. 47.In 1964, the Malaysia cup final was broadcast live on television for the first time, with Singapore winning its 20^th title after defeating Perak 3-2.
48. 48.The 2013 edition, saw Pahang managed to end a 21-year wait to lift the Malaysia Cup when they defeated defending champion Kelantan 1-0 and defended the championship the following season
49. 49.A new format was introduced for 2016 season where only the best eleven teams from the Malaysian Super League and five teams from the Malaysia Premier League qualified to play in the Malaysia Cup.
50. 50.The Malaysia Cup was played at the end of each year’s football season until the 2016 season where it was changed to be played near the end of the football season to promote competitive league within the Malaysian football league.
51. 51.Kuala Lumpur team founded in 1974 (then known as Federal Territory) and now known as Kuala Lumpur City FC, won the Malaysia Cup for three consecutive years from 1987 – 1989 and is the last team to achieve the feat. All three times defeating Kedah.
52. 52.Kedah football team founded in 1924 had limited success until the appointment of the late Datuk Ahmad Basri Akil as the manager in 1985, when Kedah went to qualify for six finals in a seven-year period between 1987-1993 and won two Malaysia Cup titles. In total Kedah won 5 and emerged runners up 9 times.
53. 53.Tiny Perlis team founded in 1963, but currently suspended by FIFA, had won the Malaysia Cup for first time and was the major success in 2004 and won the Malaysia Cup for second time in 2006
54. 54. Johor had to wait 64 years in the history of the competition before they wrested the Malaysia Cup in 1986 beating Federal Territory 2-0.
55. 55. Other teams who have won the Malaysia Cup and number of times include Penang (won 4 times and runners up 9 times); Pahang (won 4 times and runner up 4 times); Negri Sembilan (won 3 times and runner up 3 times); Kelantan (won 2 twice and runner up 4 times); Johor Darul Ta’zim (won twice and runner up once) and Terengganu (won once and runner up 5 times).
56. 56.Teams who have never emerged Malaysia Cup and only were runners-up only – Sabah (thrice); ATM (thrice) and Sarawak (once)
57. 57.Australian Michael Urulako became the first foreign coach in Malaysia to lead a state team – Johor – to a double by winning the Malaysia Cup and League Cup – in one season in 1991.
58. 58. Kedah born and former national player, Azraai Khor Sek Leng when coaching Kedah became the only coach to win double treble champions (FA Cup, Malaysia Super League and Malaysia Cup in successive 2006/07 and 2007/08 seasons. He went on to be awarded the Malaysian Favourite Coach award at the 100Plus – FAM National Awards and for 2007/08 season was awarded the Malaysian Best Coach award.
59. 59.Malaysia Cup was cancelled in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic
60. 60.Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) are the last team to have lifted the Malaysia cup in 2019 before the competition was called off in November 2020 due to the pandemic.
61. 61.N. Thanabalan 79 now, who turned out for Selangor and the nation from 1963 to 1971, has a Malaysia Cup record that stands till today – local player who scored the greatest number of goals in a Malaysia Cup final (a hattrick and the sixth goal) in Selangor’s 8-1 triumph in 1968 against Penang.
62. 62.In the Malaya Cup 1927 final between Selangor and Singapore, British expatriate J.E. King scored a double hattrick inside half-an-hour at the Selangor Padang in the 8-1 win.
63. 63.J.E. King went down to become the FA of Malaya’s first post-World War 11 president in 1947 and revive the competition the following year.
64. 64.The 1978 Malaysia Cup final is still the much talked about comeback victory by Selangor against Singapore where they came back from a two-goal deficit in a space of three minutes by scoring three times in the last 15 minutes for a 4-2 win. Ramli Junit scored first, before Soh Chin Aun equalised John Engkatesu and Ramli scored again for sweet victory.
65. 65.Penang born former police officer Ibrahim Mydin, who later played for Selangor and won three Malaysia Cup medals defeating Penang (1968, 1969 and 1971) was nicknamed ‘King of Kangkang (nutmeg), for his uncanny ability to outwit opponents.
66. 66.Singapore’s Dollah Kassim was known as ‘The Gelek King’ after in 1975 Malaysia Cup match at the National Stadium, Dollah then tricked the Pahang custodian Mohd Ridswan into diving for nothing twice before cheekily tucking the ball into an unguarded goal and nonchalantly walked away to thunderous applause from 60,000 home fans. Before that he had played around the six-yard box with a couple of body feints to send Ramli Mahmud the wrong way and Jamal Nasir, the Malaysian international right back, tumbling to the ground.
67. 67. The Kallang Roar as famously known was the most vocal supporters at the Singapore National Stadium which packed 60,000 fans who bring out the nationalism and patriotism which is patriotic cry and pulsating cheers between the 70s just past the millennium when the Grand old Lady made its final bow for new modern stadium.
68. 68.The kick that stunned the Kallang was the bicycle kick by V. Sundramoorthy, nicknamed ‘The Dazzler’ scored at the National Stadium in 1993 against Brunei in their 8-0 win.
69. 69.In recent years, in terms of importance, the Malaysia Cup has fallen behind the Super League and even the FA Cup. This is because the winner of the Super League gets to play in the Asian Champions Cup League, the highest level of football competition in the continent, while the FA Cup champion qualifies for the second-tier Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.
70. 70.Arguably the top 21 Malaysia Cup players over the decade are: 1. Mokhtar Dahari (striker); 2. R. Arumugam (goalkeeper); 3. Soh Chin Aun (defender); 4. Santokh Singh (defender); 5. James Wong (striker); 6. Hassan Sani (striker); 7. Isa Bakar (striker); 8. M. Chandran (defender); 9. Abdul Ghani Minhat (striker); 10. Syed Ahmad (striker); 11. Shaharuddin Abdullah (striker); 12. Namat Abdullah (striker); 13. Zainal Abidin Hassan (striker); 14. Wong Choon Wah (midfielder); 15. Shukor Salleh (midfielder); 16. Ali Bakar (midfielder); 17. Edwin Dutton (defender); 18. Arthur Koh (striker); 19. Chow Chee Keong (goalkeeper); 20. Abdullah Yeop Nordin (defender); 21. N. Thanabalan (striker);
71. 71.For the first time the Malaysia Cup champion will get a ticket to the AFC Cup this year (2021).
72. 72.The Malaysia Cup is still regarded as the nostalgic trophy to be won and still rated the trophy to be won to add to the collection in Malaysian football trophies at stake.
73. 73.Kuala Lumpur qualifies for the Malaysia Cup after 32 years and their hattrick triumph from 1987 to 1989. They were runners-up in 1985.
74. 74.JDT as defending champion seeking consecutive wins after having won Cup in 2017 and runners-up in 2014.

Thanasekodi leaves a lasting impression for Cheras

 

By Tony Mariadass

As fast as many football hotbeds that launched stars are disappearing in the city of Kuala Lumpur, so are many of the players who rose from these fields.

This morning another player who rose from the JKR Cheras field in the 70s, Thanasekodi Selvaraj, 64, passed away.

Thanasekodi was among the pioneer players who rose from the Cheras JKR fields together with likes goalkeeper Lim Fung Kee, Mokhtar Ahmad and K. Kanagarajah.

While Fung Kee and Mokhtar were the first products from Cheras, Thanasekodi and Kanagarajah rose to ranks playing with Cheras United in the Selangor league after that.

The two JKR fields were not just community fields for residents and clubs in the area, but was also training grounds for the Selangor, national team and visiting teams to the Merdeka tournament in the 70s

Thansekodi, who married late and had no children, moved on to play for Majlis Belia Selangor (MBS) before starting his career with MCIS before moving to a banking career with United Asia Bank.

He retired three years ago from CIMB and continued to work with private companies.

Thanasekodi, who was rated as a very skilful player played for Selangor in the Razak Cup (then Burnley Cup) in 1975 in Kelantan and 1976 (Johor) and went to play for Selangor B.

Thanasekodi also known as Thanesh was born in 1957 at Kampung Semarang (the present site of MARA building).  His parents were deceased Selvaraj and Ponnalagu.  Father was a DBKL staff while his mother was an enterprising businesswoman, operating a stall selling kacang-putih, garlands and flowers.

The couple had four children.  Thanasekodi was the eldest, followed by his sisters Alagammal, Pakiam and Meena. 

Thanasekodi started his primary education at the Kampung Kuantan School in Titiwangsa area.  When the family shifted to DBKL quarters in mid-1960s, Thanasekodi studied at St. Gabriel's Primary School from Standards 4 to 6.  He used to be a brilliant student and was the top student of his batch in Standard 6.  His secondary education was at Sekolah Menengah Cheras and was a science stream student.  He represented the school in football and long-distance running. 

Football was Thanesh's favourite game since his young days.  During his teenage days Thanesh used to organise 6-a-side football tournaments and his team's name was Santos.  Later, he joined Selangor's Premier League club Cheras United and played in the mid-field position.  He used to be good in ball control and dribbling the ball, and earned the nickname ‘Gentello’ (derived from Bahasa Malaysia word 'gentel' (dribble). 

 Thanesh was also playing alongside with the MCIS team for a short while, playing with legends like late Wong Choon Wah. 

 After retiring from active football Thanesh switched to long distance running.  He used to participate in marathons in Malaysia. 

 Thanesh was a devout Hindu and was the treasurer of Sri Thohaiyadi Vinayagar Temple, 2 1/2 miles Cheras since 1995 until 2020.  He did not seek election for 2021.  During his tenure the Temple did a major consecration six years ago.  It was a very successful event for the temple. 

 Thanesh was recently diagnosed to have three blockages in his heart and was required to undergo a surgery.  Though the surgery was successfully done he died two days later.

 The number of football grounds in the city that have vanished over the past four decades is staggering.

They were once fertile fields for the development of young talent and an active production line for some of the best players from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Many of the players, to whom the JKR grounds were “second home”, just as it was to Thaneskodi, as went on to gain recognition at state and national level while some became household names.

Today, neighbourhoods are missing the football culture, community spirit, and the flow of talented players as playing fields have given way to concrete structures.

Some of the other players who rose from the JKR fields in Cheras to don Selangor, Kuala Lumpur or national colours,  include M Pavalamani, K Murugapillai, K Kanagasabai, A Jayakanthan, late K. Ravindran S. Tamilarasan, late V. Gunalan, S. Mathen, Mohd Satar Aziz, K. Dandorangan, Ho Tuck Keong and Wong Fook Keong to name a few.

They turned out for teams in Cheras such as Pemuda Cheras FC, Cheras United FC, JKR FC, Sukaramai FC, Harimau KL, Malay, Indian, Chinese and Others (MICO) FC and FT Hindian FC.

Respected coaches like the late Jeswant Singh, PC Dorai, late Chow Kwai Lam and Chinna Karupan began their football journey here too.

Now the JKLR Cheras grounds have made way for development in 2005 and today the imposing Convention Centre of the Construction Industry Development Board stands tall.

Rest in peace Thaneskodi. You have done Cheras proud.

Attapka fast becoming a ‘Foodie Bikers’ Haven

 

By Tony Mariadass

‘Foodie Bikers’ Haven

BANTING: ‘Attapka Seafood Restaurant’ owned by former international footballer from Kuala Lumpur, See Kim Seng, has seen a new group of clients of late – Bikers – and it fast growing in numbers.

After experiencing  bad times during this Covid-19 pandemic since last year when Movement Control Order (MCO) saw his restaurant bring down its curtains, and later only able to receive ‘take away’ orders, Kim Seng sighed relived when first dine-in was allowed and inter-district allowed recently, and now inter-state travel too allowed.

“My customers used to be locals, friends and sometime outstation clients,” said the 57-year-old father of five daughters.

“But of late, when inter-district travel was allowed, I was pleasantly surprised to get group of bikers coming to my restaurant.

“It was by word of mouth that these bikers who add food outlets to their bike riding expeditions, that saw these groups patronise my outlet.

"And now not a weekend or public holiday passes by with a least one or two bikers groups coming to my restaurant to feast.

“Their presence certainly adds colour to my outlet and a delight to my other customers to view these big bikes up close and personal.

“And with the bikers themselves pleased with the food we serve here and passing the word to their other biker friends, I am getting more biker groups coming to my outlet.”

Kim Seng said one bikers group in particular led by Danny Zuko has been promoting his outlet to other biker groups.

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

The burly Kim Seng who grew up at Kampong Kelanang, Banting, has come a long way to establish himself as a successful businessman, since he last played for Negri Sembilan in 1994.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

While Kim Seng admitted that he spends most of his time now at his seafood restaurant, starting as early as 7am to buy the seafood from the fishing village and open his shop from 11am to midnight.

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

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

 

Kim Seng taking order at his restaurant

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

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

And despite his newfound clientele of bikers and more coming from outside Banting, Kim Seng keeps his price very affordable to all, not compromising on his portions or standards which he works hard to keep on improving.

Among his specialities and favourites among his customers are Pari Fish Curry, Fried sotong, Dried chilli chicken and Chilli Crab. He also has any array of other delicious dishes and also serves 'toddy' in one litre bottles sourced from the nearby coconut plantations.

Indeed a place worth the visit which is about one hour drive from Kuala Lumpur and if you avoid the highway passing through Klang, the drive through the kampung passing through Dengkil is a sight to behold.

Check out Attapka Seafood Restaurant. No regets, only joy and a full stomach.

 

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

 

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?

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?