TALENT TAP WAITING TO BE TAPPED

TALENT SCOUTING THE WAY FORWARD

By Tony Mariadass

PHILIPPINES, former Gintong Alay executive director, Michael Keon, hit nail on is the ill of sports in many developing countries including Malaysia - lack of talent scouting.

Keon, who was largely responsible for the rise of Philippines sports through his Gintong Alay project in the the 80s, gave his unsolicited advice to Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) chairman, Richard Bachmann,  after the former paid tribute to the greatest athlete he has ever produced from the grassroots program - the late Lydia deVega-Mercado.

It was reported in The Philippine Star today, Keon the incumbent mayor of Laoag City, had emphasised PSC that concentration should paid to talent scouting, in during his tribute speech for De Vega-Mercado, who elevated by the Philippines Sportswriters Association to Hall of Fame status during its awarding rites at a leading hotel on Monday night.

De Vega-Mercado, the fasted Asian Women for eight years - 1982-1990 (holder of 100m with 11.28s in Sea Games - 1987, 1991,1993 - and 200mm- 23.25second - from 1981, 1983,1987 and 1993 -  and Asian Games two gold medalist (1983  last year after battling with cancer.

“There’s so much talent in Philippines sports and that is why when chairman of PSC came to visit me in Laoag, we talked to one another about what is most important when it comes to Philippines sports now and I made suggestion to him that PSC along with National Sports Associations (NSAs) should concentrate in talent scouting,” Keon had said in his speech.

“There is so of much talent in this country that falls through the cracks of the system and it’s really sad, so this is why I suggested to him (Bachmann) and I believe he is listening to me and he would initiate talent scouting,” he added.

Proof of the pudding was Keon’s Gintong Alay product, De Vega-Mercado, who at  a tender age 16 years in 1980, or the year after the creation of the fabled Gintong Alay, bettered the Philippine, South Asian and Asian Games records in one memorable run in the UAAP versus Gintong Alay  meet, reported The Philippine Star.

De Vega-Mercado went on to win two goal medals in the Asian Games, four in the Asian Athletics championships and nine in the Sea Games and set numerous records that cemented her status as one of best, if not the best, athletes Philippines had produced.

And Keon believed De Vega-Mercado  could have won more.

“If Lydia had continued to train from 16 to 24 years old, she could have easily broken 50 seconds which could have won her an Olympic medal and have been an Olympic champion for me.

“In fact, India’s PT Usha, Lydia’s greatest rival, won the Olympic bronze medal inn the 400m hurdles,” Keon had added.

Indeed, there is so much truth in Keon’s concern of lack of talent scouting, which is not only a concern for the Philippines but in Malaysia too.

Malaysia has headed towards getting possible short term success with their naturalised programme especially in football where at least 20 players have been granted citizenship since 2015, whereas in the Malaysian Football League (MFL) there is easily 110 foreign players on parade - where each team is allowed to register 9 players - with only five allowed to be fielded at any one time (three plus one Asian n One Asean player.

Hockey and basketball too, has foreign players plying their trade in league and many other sports are following suit and matter of time others join the bandwagon of  football’s way.

Malaysia is certainly not lacking in talent and there is abundance in the country, especially in East Malaysia, East Coast and Northern States.

Problem is that these talented players are not found, neglected or find it hard to get into the main stream of action.

Above all, Malaysia sports lacks talent scouting culture.

Yes, we have had random talent scouting programme done by the National Sports Council and National Sports Institute, spending millions for findings and hiring individuals to conduct the programme, but in the end did not produce the wanted results.

NSAs who should be the ones doing the talent scouting, have remained dormant.

Ex Internationals Associations for many sports have been time and again been reminded to play a key role in talent scouting, but they themselves have not been fully committed to the idea or blaming NSAs for not giving them the opportunity.

A more concerted effort is indeed needed from all quarters, if they are still passionate about raising the standard of Malaysian sports and giving Malaysian sportsmen and women the opportunity to realise their true potential.

There is no need to look for foreign talent because Malaysia is a multi-racial country and gifted that we have different strength from the various races - Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sikhs, Eurasian and not to mention the various ethnic groups we have in Malaysia - and combined together we will have a international strength team, without looking for foreign athletes.

Let’s stop trying to get short-term success and instead work on a long-term solution with long term programme over a minimum of one Olympic cycle but two definitely better, and it must be a continuous programme.

But first, let us scout the talent which is waiting to be tapped to give Malaysian sports a better future and reason to cheer for.

 

SAGGA BROTHERS IN ARMS

SAGGA BROTHERS UNITED 

It was a nostalgic event when an estate football team of the 60s in Negri Sembilan - Sagga Brothers - organised a get together at the Sagga Estate field, which was the home ground - to honour seven founders of the club on Sunday morning.

It was indeed a heart warming and emotional gathering for many who had not seen each other for a long time and to be honoured by the new third generation players and official of the Sagga Brothers team.

Founded in 1966 by two brothers who were from the Sagga estate - the late  K. Jayabalan and Gunasekaran - the team catered for players from three nearby estates - Bradwell, Sagga and Siliau near Rantau.

What started as a recreational team for the estates boys to kick around in the evenings, Sagga Brothers, craved out a name for themselves in Negri Sembilan as a notable team, who won or finished among the top three teams in almost every tournament they competed.

Jayabalan opened the eyes of many about estate teams, when he donned Negri Sembilan colours and skippered the team.

In 1975, Jayabalan captained the  Negri team, who were known as “'Anak Negri Sembilan” to qualify for the Malaysia Cup semi-finals – 27 years after Negri last emerged as the champions in the then Malaya Cup in 1948.

Jayabalan, fullback, died after he collapsed on the field while turning out for his employers, TNB Seremban, in a friendly football game among veterans at the Kilat Club in Bangsar in October 2004, at a young age of 54-years-old. 

The fullback collapsed after 20 minutes of play and was rushed to the nearby Pantai Medical Centre but the TNB meter reader was pronounced dead upon arrival. 

Another player from Sagga Brothers who played for the state is K. Manohar.

From an estate team, Sagga became the nursery for many players to develop their skills and to play for top teams in the Negri Sembilan League and job opportunities arose too.

Among the teams Sagga Brothers played for include Postal NS, Negeri Sembilan Indian Association  (NSIA), Negeri Sembilan Police and NS Kilat.

S. Seenivasagam (above), one of seven founder players of Sagga Brothers, was the first to play for Postal and then got his teammate - S. Marimuthu - to join him.

Other who went on to play for NSIA were goalkeeper P.Krishnan Pillai and Michael Joseph, for NSFC - M. Govindarajoo, Bala, Murugan and K. Selvam - for Negri Sembilan Kilat - M. Siva, K. Muruges, Razak Anibah and K. Ravindran and for Police R. Arumugam.

Govindarajoo

The seven founder living members of Sagga Brothers who were honoured on Sunday were - Govindarajoo, Krishnan Pillai, Vellu, Marimuthu, Seenivasagam, Bala and Michel.

The meaningful event on Sunday was planned in a month, led by led by Razak and his committee members Govindarajoo, A. Batumalai, M. Rajasekar, M. Sivalingam, John S. Muthu, P. Rajendran, K. Rajendran and P. Ragunathan.

Razak fourth from left

“The idea to have this gathering to honour the founder and living members of the Sagga Brothers team was mooted just a month ago when a few members of the third generation of the Sagga Brothers met over coffee,” said Razak.

“We had a gathering in 2016 for a 50 year celebration at a restaurant, but this time around, we wanted to bring back the nostalgic feeling of having a gathering at the very Sagga field where we played and was part of our growing up life.

“We also wanted to get the players of the three generations to meet the players of yesteryear, as the team is slowed down these days.

“We are indeed grateful to the present management of the Sagga estate for allowing us to use the field and they even cut the overgrown long grass on the field which was not used these days.

“This field brings back great memories for all us. I am from the third generation of the team and I remember when we used to come to this field every evening before 5pm and start kicking around before the seniors arrived. When the seniors arrived we had to vacant the field and turned ball boys, as they played.

“We watched in awe the skills and talent of our seniors and only got to play alongside them when someone was injured or wanted out, and when they would call one of us to come on as substitute,” said Razak with a laugh.

“But eventually, we managed to find a place in the team and carried on the long standing tradition and standard of the team.

“Today is indeed a nostalgic day and brings back fond memories besides honouring our seniors.”

Seenivasam said: “Jayabalan and Gunasekeran who started the team for boys from the three nearby estates, so that we had something to do in the evening and keep us out of trouble.

“Both of them were strict disciplinarians and there was no nonsense with them. If anyone arrived a second after 5pm, he does not get to play. Anyone who uses foul language or fights in the field, would immediately asked to leave the field.

“I remember motorcycles and cars passing the road, would stop to see us training and play matches.

“Sometimes we will have more than 22 players and all played.”

 Datuk Rajendran said he was not a very good player but was given an opportunity to play.

“The field will be so crowded and if you get to touch the ball once, it would make my day,” said Rajendran.

Rajendran also suggested Sunday’s event should be made an annual event.

Govindarajoo said that many of the players have been asking to meet each other for sometime in their old age, and this event made many realise their dream.

“This is indeed a great gathering. Many whom we have not seen for a long time, have made time to be here. Some are not well and have problems walking, but they made it a point to be here. That speaks volumes of the comradeship of this team.”

P. Krishnan Pillai affectionately called PK (in purple jersey), said Sagga Brothers was a feared team those days.

“When we first started to play in tournaments in Negeri Sembilan, we used to be mocked as an ‘estate team’. But as time went on and we started to win tournaments, we were still called the ‘estate team’ but they respected us and would say ‘ the estate team is here to win again!

“We were called Sagga Brothers, because of us in the team came from different background, race and believes, but we all brothers.

“Sometimes matches turned ugly in the face of competition, but we solidly stood for each other and no team dared to mess around with us,” said PK who was known as the bodyguard of the team.

PK also recalled how the team used to travel for their matches or tournament in the estate lorry, which the management graciously loaned them.

“Those we great moments travelling in the lorry. We had great fun.

“We also had our own supporters from the estate for our matches.”

Datuk Ragunathan said he was from the estate and his first taste of football was on the Sagga field.

Today Ragunathan is a successful businessman and was instrumental in the formation of the  Interact Recreation Club (IRC) and the excellent facilities built with the collaboration of Bandar Sri Sendayan Tamil Primary School and the recent completion of the IRC arena adjacent to the school.

Ragunathan together with others like Batumalai and Gunalan are staunch supporters of Sagga Brother.

There were other names associated with Siliau estate and this include the former and later Asian Football Confederation general secretary, Datuk Peter Velappan and another former general secretary of AFC, Datuk Alex Soosay.

 Former international and coach, G. Toraioraju, was also from this area and played at the Sagga estate field before moving to Malacca.

The Sunday morning started with a small sided game among the founder members who still possessed some excellent ball skills, followed by presentation of souvenir plague, T shirt with the original logo of Sagga Brothers, garland and shawl and a cake cutting ceremony, recollection speeches by member by senior members of the team, followed by lunch. The event ended at 3pm with a promise to make it an annual event.

The guests at the event

Veteran teams have blossomed over the teams and there is even an association for the teams which was formed by N. Thashnamoorthy, from Rawang and has 80 teams as members.

But many probably do not have a history or nostalgic story to tell like the Sagga Brothers team.

Not a week goes by without a friendly veterans’ football match played over the weekend or public holidays, and there are at least two to three veteran’s tournaments organised around the country every month.

That’s how big Veterans football is these days and it only goes to show that football is deeply en-rooted in our Malaysian culture.

 

Kudos Sagga Brothers for your contribution to Malaysian football and for keeping the sporting and Malaysian spirit of togetherness alive.

PERSISTENCE AND FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE, FINALLY ENDS LONG DRAWN BATTLE IN VICTORY FOR UKRC

`

“UKRC, back in action for good” 

What the UKRC field used to be

The deplorable condition of the field presently

Work to restore the field to its previous condition has began

UKRC’s long battle (since April 1999) with the Selangor State Government has come to a good end with the Selangor State Government reinstating UKRC’s rights to its green lung (football field and clubhouse) on 9 February 2022, after taking into consideration that UKRC had earlier obtained the land approval from the Selangor State government on 12 July 1958 for a playing field and club house and that UKRC has spent huge amount of money in maintaining the said green lung for about 55 years (since 1958 to 30th September 2013) for its members and public.

However, as there was an appeal filed in court by UKRC against Selangor State Government and Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ), UKRC lawyers had to work with the Selangor State legal team to file a Consent Order pursuant to the decision made on 9th February 2022 by the Selangor Government and also to withdraw the pending appeal, in order for UKRC to take back its field. The said process was completed on 14 October 2022 with the Consent Order being extracted from court. 

 Thereafter, MPAJ was given notice by UKRC lawyers to vacate the field on or before 31 October 2022 and UKRC took charge of the field on 1st November 2022. 

Today at the Press Conference to announce the long awaited good news, UKRC thanked the Selangor State Government, in particular the Selangor Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari and the State EXCO members, to unanimously agreeing to resolve the UKRC land issue which had been ongoing for the past 22 years, with number of attempts made by the previous Selangor government to develop the UKRC land. UKRC also thanked club lawyers, B.Thangaraj and Ramesh Kanapathy in their role to manage the case successfully to resolve this long painful battle of UKRC with the Selangor government. 

Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) had seized the UKRC field on 1st October 2013, after being instructed by the then Selangor Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, whom had been misled by former members of UKRC, who were making attempts to take over the management of UKRC, including making reports to ROS to de-register UKRC, vandalising the club property, throwing red paint at the president’s house (on 13.11.2012 and 03.03.2013) and acid at club treasurer’s car on 10.03.2013. Police reports on the said incidents were made by the club President (Andrew Gopal) and club treasurer (Yong Cheng Soon) but the case was not pursued further. 

While UKRC was seeking justice through the Court, UKRC appealed to the Menteri Besar of Selangor, Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari on 26 February 2021 to get back its green lung and the said appeal was tabled and approved in the Selangor EXCO meeting on 9 February 2022. Andrew, who has been president of UKRC for the last 22 years, also announced that he has relinquished the post, as it is about time someone younger takes over and also that he has completed his task to win the battle to get back the ownership of the club which has been in existence since 1958. 

 “It was been a long and hard battle to get back the rightful status of this community based club and we have finally achieved. It has been a tiring battle and now that the battle has been won, it is time I take a rest,” said Andrew. 

“We had our biennial General Meeting on Dec 16 and we have elected Brendan Lee Chun Mun as our new president,” announced Andrew. 

Brendan Lee is the son of Lee Paw Koi affectionately known as ‘Uncle Lee who was the club’s vice-president, its football groundsman, grasscutter, janitor and biggest cheerleader and a member of the club for 40 years. 

‘Uncle Lee’, passed away in July, 2021 from Covid-19. He was 71. 

“It is sad that Uncle Lee is not here today because he was pillar of this club who was passionate and spent most of his time in the club. He was devastated when the club was seized,” said Andrew paying tribute to Uncle Lee. 

“It is fitting that his son now helms the club and he will continue his father’s legacy. I am leaving the club in good hands, but I will be around to give any advice if they need it. 

“Today is a happy and sad day for me. Happy because we have finally won the long fought battle. Sad because Uncle Lee is not here to witness this historic moment. But I am happy that Brendan is here to carry on from what his father has left behind.” 

The deplorable condition of the club now which needs major repair

 CHRONOLOGY OF UKRC SAGA 

 1st Attempt - April 12 1999 

 The battle to save UKRC’s green lung (field and club house) started as the Selangor State Government had approved development of 10 bungalow lots a primary school. April 13- 16 December 1999 UKRC held various protest against the State government to save its green lung through media coverage and including submitting a memorandum with more than 1000 signatures from club members and public. February 18 2000 – UKRC was informed through a letter from Selangor September 30, 2013 Economic Action Council (MTES) that MTES EXCO has agreed keep the UKRC site as it is and to move the proposed primary school and bungalow lots to a different site. 

 2nd Attempt - May 2003 

UKRC President (Andrew Gopal) was approached by a former FAM official to give up the UKRC green lung for a developer to build 3 blocks of condominiums and to accept an offer by the developer to built a new football pitch and club house nearby UKRC and a further offer of 2 condominium units to Andrew, as a President of UKRC. 

 May 2003 

After the said attempt by the former official of FAM, UKRC discovered that the Selangor government (Khir Toyo) had approved the UKRC’s green lung for development of apartment to a local company headed by the former FAM official and politicians. 

 May 2003 

UKRC through media launched another round of protest against the Selangor government and various NGO’s were in support of UKRC. 

 September 2003 

Former Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi informs Selangor government to resolve the UKRC’s amicably and to heed his directive to gazette all open space. 

 October 2003 

The scheduled project was scrapped after the announcement by Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi December 2, 2004 Khir Toyo gazetted UKRC’s land as a green lung under the control of the Selangor State Secretary without any discussion with UKRC after the proposed condominiums had to be cancelled. 

3rd Attempt  - April 1, 2011 

A motion was tabled on 1st April 2011 in the Selangor State Assembly by former Ulu Klang State Assemblyman, Saari Sungib on UKRC land issue for the State to approve the land to UKRC or to amend the Gazette issued by Khir Toyo in order for UKRC to have control of its green lung. Motion was approved unanimously in the State Assembly on 1st April 2022. 

April 10, 2012 

Khalid Ibrahim /Selangor EXCO only approves the land where the club house is to UKRC and the football pitch to be maintained by MPAJ based on recommendation made by panel set up by Khalid Ibrahim to look into the UKRC land issue. 

July 2012 –Dec 2012 

Former associate members were seeking voting rights in the Club AGM for year 2012 and their request were rejected by the club Committee in accordance with the club rules and as advised by ROS. Disgruntled group not happy with the said decision and worked with some former members of the club and public, used the media to tarnish UKRC’s name with misleading reports and evaded UKRC’s football pitch as if it was under their Management. 

Three club members were expelled on 01.01.2013 after the club disciplinary committee found them for contravening the club rules. 

January 2013 

UKRC places Security Guard to ensure the disgruntled group does not cause further trouble by entering the club premises and damage the pitch and club property. 

August 21, 2013 

Khalid Ibrahim makes a U-turn and decides in the State EXCO meeting that the land where UKRC is situated has been gazette as a green lung in year 2004 and is a State Land. Instructs MPAJ to take over the UKRC football pitch on 1st October 2013. 

October 1, 2013 

MPAJ seizes 55 years old UKRC field. 

October 14, 2013 

UKRC through its lawyers M/S Thangaraj & Associates & M/S Chellam & Wong files court action against the Selangor State Government and MPAJ to get back its football pitch. 

February 26, 2021 

UKRC appeals to Selangor Menteri Besar Dato Seri Amirudin Shari to reinstate UKRC’s right to its recreational land as the football pitch was badly manage by MPAJ. 

February 9, 2022 

Selangor Menteri Besar, Dato Seri Amirudin Shari and the Selangor EXCO approves UKRC’s appeal to have control and manage its field and club house pursuant to the earlier approval obtained by UKRC on 12 July 1958 from the Selangor State Government. 

September 23, 2022 UKRC withdraws its Civil Appeal in the Court of Appeal, Putrajaya. 

31 October 2022 

MPAJ vacates UKRC field, 1 maintenance staff and maintenance equipment of 1 Lawn Mover, I cabin store and 2 pairs of goal post. 

November 1, 2022 

UKRC back in action for good. 

 ARTICLES ON UKRC SAGA BY SCRIBE 

 https://level-field.blogspot.com/2009/09/ukrc-keeps-on-shining.html 

 https://level-field.blogspot.com/2010/10/unique-ukrc.html 

 https://level-field.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-crying-shame.html 

 https://level-field.blogspot.com/2016/10/field-of-contention.html