Publication : MM
Date : 22/04/1994
Headline : Selling an excuse
ENOUGH is enough! Ever since the soccer season kicked off with the FA Cup
last month, week after week, when a team loses, it is either because the
team was on the `take' or individual players `were involved'.
It has become a lame excuse for losing teams and now even soccer fans
and sportswriters have joined in the bandwagon to say that matches have
been rigged.
The height of the issue surely must be when an afternoon daily (not
Malay Mail) went front page with a report that the Premier League match
between Selangor and Malacca had been rigged and even had the result - 3-1
in favour of Selangor. The end result was 1-1.
Then the following week, Malacca fans were chanting that coach G.
Torairaju and his players had `sold out' when they lost to Singapore.
When Sabah lost 1-5 to Perak, there were suspicions also.
Even Pahang were suspected for their poor showing, but their team
management have cleared them of it after some investigations.
Penang is another team plaqued with these accusations.
Even referees are not spared when home fans accused S. Subramonoven of
being biased in the match against Negri Sembilan just because he flashed
five yellow cards against their players.
State FAs accuse their players are on the `take', but again nothing much
is done because the same players continue to play.
In most cases, these issues come about in teams where they have too many
officials.
Some of these officials, who have not the slightest clue about the game,
indulge themselves in talks of bribery and get carried away. And the next
thing you know, they are accusing their players of being dishonest.
Probably these States should take a look at Sarawak.
When was the last time anyone heard Sarawak say anything about bribery
when they lose a match?
Not in a long time - at least not since Alan Vest took charge of the
team because he is a man who does not believe in bribery although he has
heard a lot about it since coming to Malaysia.
Secondly, he believes in his players and has drilled it into them that
if he ever finds out that any of his players are involved, that will be
the last he will see of them.
Above all, Vest is a professional who accepts defeats and wins in the
true spirit of the game.
Although the bribery problem has been in existence for a while now,
nothing much has been done about it.
And it serves no purpose just talking about it week in and week out.
So far, only Armed Forces and Negri Sembilan have taken some positive
steps.
Armed Forces FA in 1991 brought Wee Yew Lee to the docks and found him
guilty of bribery.
Negri FA have made an official report to the Negri Sembilan Anti-
Corruption Agency (ACA) on allegations of match-fixing by several of their
players last season during the Semi-Pro League.
Earlier, NSFA had set up a four-member board of inquiry who had come up
with a report and submitted to the ACA to facilitate investigations. The
full investigations are expected to be completed in a month.
The FA of Malaysia, on the other hand, have set up a special task force
comprising police and ACA officers to look into the menace.
Deputy Inspector General Police Datuk Samsuri Arshad has also appealed
to the public to come forward with information.
But until and when State FAs, fans and sportswriters come forward with
information, there is little that can be done.
Thus, it is pointless, talking about the menace when nobody wants to
take the responsibility to bring up the matter to the relevant authorities
and put players to pastures if they are really guilty.
Until then, it is hoped that teams, officials, fans and sportswriters
stop using bribery as a lame excuse each time a team loses.
Winning is important but somebody has to lose sometimes.
Let us watch the matches in the true spirit of the game. Let us hope
that all those involved will adopt a `fair play' attitude to make the game
interesting and entertaining.
Saturday, April 23, 1994
Saturday, March 12, 1994
Locals are as good (The Malay Mail)
MALAYSIAN coaches can produce similar results if given the same status as
foreign soccer coaches.
This is the frank opinion of Chow Kwai Lam, one of the locals who has
tasted success in the Malaysia Cup.
The former Kuala Lumpur and Selangor firebrand feels that local coaches
should be given better recognition than what they have been accorded over
the years.
Kwai Lam, who is protem president of the newly-formed Malaysian Coaches
Association, said it was wrong to assume that local coaches are not
capable of producing results.
"A check of the statistics will reveal that local coaches have done
equally well in recent years," he said.
"Ahmad Shafie did well with Kedah, taking them to two Malaysia Cup
finals although they did not win.
Reference
"In my opinion, Kedah reaped the rewards of Ahmad's work when they
finally won the Cup in 1990."
He said M. Karathu has also done very well as coach of Perak and
Kelantan.
Kwai Lam, too, can also be considered successful, having steered Kuala
Lumpur to three consecutive Malaysia Cup triumphs from 1987 to 1989.
"The bottom line is that coaches like Karathu, Ahmad and myself were
given free rein to carry out our tasks.
"And, with the FAs having had confidence in us, we delivered the goods.
"But, in most cases, local coaches are not given these privileges."
Kwai Lam also drew reference to the fact that, based on the ratio of
foreign coaches to locals since 1989, Malaysians have done well to reach
the semifinal and final stages of the Malaysia Cup and also finished among
top teams in the League.
Yet, he said, local coaches are paid poorly compared with the
foreigners.
"And we have reason to quibble with this fact because, except for a few,
most of the foreign coaches are about the same standard as the locals.
"Some are even less experienced. But they are paid higher than the
locals, given a free hand and glorified by everyone.
Low pay
"It is about time that better recognition and privileges are accorded to
the locals."
Kwai Lam said that foreign coaches are normally employed for a short
term.
"But it defeats the purpose of development of the game and to raise the
standard because once the foreigners leave, there is no continuity.
"Local coaches have the future at heart and work towards long-term
development, but FAs normally do not support this.
"And when local coaches are handling the teams, theyare not given the
mandate to pick the players they want, especially foreigners. But when
foreigners are in charge, they are given a free say. Surely they can
produce better results.
"I am not against foreign coaches working here, but all I am saying is
that they must be of top quality and not just the same standard as local
coaches.
"Besides, I feel that local coaches should not be discriminated or given
different rules.
"I believe if the local coaches are given the opportunity with everthing
equal as they would treat the foreign coaches, results will definitely be
forthcoming."
Kwai Lam said that when local coaches are hired, besides the
restrictions and low pay, they are normally part-timers.
This season, there will be nine foreign coaches and five local coaches,
excluding the two foreign coaches for Singapore and Brunei.
Whether a local coach is able to turn the odds and claim the honours
like a foreign coach is left to be seen.
Since the inaugural SemiPro league, only three local coaches have
managed to taste honours - Khaidir Buyong, Kwai Lam and S. Subramaniam.
HOW THE COACHES FARED SINCE SEMI-PRO LEAGUE STARTED IN 1989
YEAR FA CUP LEAGUE CUP MALAYSIA CUP
1989 NO competition Khaidir Buyong (Selangor) Chow Kwai Lam (KL)
1990 M. Karathu (Perak) Khaidir Buyong (Selangor) Milous Kvacek (Kedah)
1991 Ken Worden (Sgor) Michael Urukalo (Johor) Michael Urukalo (Johor)
1992 Alan Vest (Swak) Mike Brown (Pahang) Mike Brown (Pahang)
1993 S. Subramaniam (KL) Robert Alberts (Kedah) Robert Alberts (Kedah)
Note: FA Cup inagurated in 1990.
PREMIER LEAGUE COACHES 1994
Malaysians unless stated:
JOHOR : Wan Jamak Wan Hassan
KEDAH : Robert Rene Alberts (Dutch)
KELANTAN : Milous Kvacek (Slovak)
KUALA LUMPUR : Ken John Shellito (English)
NEGRI SEMBILAN: M. Karathu
PAHANG : Tajuddin Nor
PERAK : Michael Urukalo (Australian)
PENANG : Mico Radovic (Swede)
SARAWAK : Alan Vest (Australian)
SELANGOR : Bernhard Schumm (German)
SABAH : Kelly Tham Fook Fah
MALACCA : G. Torairaju
PERLIS : Josef Herel (Solvak)
TERENGGANU: Marco Bilic (Yugoslav)
FOREIGN COACHES IN MALAYSIA SINCE 1989
1989: 6
1990: 5
1991: 8
1992: 10
1993: 9
1994: 9
GUEST TEAMS:
Singapore: Ken Worden (Australian)
Brunei: Mike Lyons (English)
(END)
Wednesday, January 19, 1994
Don't spoil young ones with cash (18/01/1994 - The Malay Mail)
Publication : MM
Date : 18/01/1994
Headline : Don't spoil young ones with cash
ARE we breeding mercenaries? The cash incentive scheme for school
athletes announced last Tuesday seems to suggest it.
Once these schoolchildren are pampered at an early age, it will be
difficult for them to discard the habit of demanding cash for their
efforts when they progress to the senior state or national teams.
It was announced the athletes will be paid cash rewards for winning
medals or breaking records in track events in state and national
championships.
Under the scheme, from this year until 1998, there will be 5,500 prizes
for the top three winners of the 56 events in three age-groups (Under-20,
Under-16 and Under-12) for boys and girls.
The scheme is part of a RM4 million training and development programme
launched by Caltex Oil Malaysia, which was endorsed by the Education
Ministry.
It was reported that the aim of the scheme is to produce a strong
athletics squad for the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
School athletes who match the 1990 Commonwealth Games' top three
winning marks in state and national schools meets will be rewarded with
RM50,000, RM30,000 and RM10,000 respectively.
It is all right to reward achievements, but one wonders if the idea
could have adverse effects on our young athletes, who might end up cash-
orientated.
Patriotism will then become a thing of the past.
It would have been more appropriate to channel the funds into schools
or the State Sports Councils to upgrade facilities or hire proper
coaches.
In the scheme, the champion state will get a 115m tartan training
track. More such incentives should have been included instead of
splashing cash on kids.
Alternatively, rewards should be in terms of scholarships.
Already, there are complaints that present day sportsmen and sportswomen
no longer take pride in representing their states or nation.
Undeniably, sport has become more professional. Gone are the days when
athletes ran for the state or country as patriotic representatives.
But there must still be some level of pride in representing the state or
country.
A re-think of the mechanics of the incentive scheme is certainly in
order.
Date : 18/01/1994
Headline : Don't spoil young ones with cash
ARE we breeding mercenaries? The cash incentive scheme for school
athletes announced last Tuesday seems to suggest it.
Once these schoolchildren are pampered at an early age, it will be
difficult for them to discard the habit of demanding cash for their
efforts when they progress to the senior state or national teams.
It was announced the athletes will be paid cash rewards for winning
medals or breaking records in track events in state and national
championships.
Under the scheme, from this year until 1998, there will be 5,500 prizes
for the top three winners of the 56 events in three age-groups (Under-20,
Under-16 and Under-12) for boys and girls.
The scheme is part of a RM4 million training and development programme
launched by Caltex Oil Malaysia, which was endorsed by the Education
Ministry.
It was reported that the aim of the scheme is to produce a strong
athletics squad for the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
School athletes who match the 1990 Commonwealth Games' top three
winning marks in state and national schools meets will be rewarded with
RM50,000, RM30,000 and RM10,000 respectively.
It is all right to reward achievements, but one wonders if the idea
could have adverse effects on our young athletes, who might end up cash-
orientated.
Patriotism will then become a thing of the past.
It would have been more appropriate to channel the funds into schools
or the State Sports Councils to upgrade facilities or hire proper
coaches.
In the scheme, the champion state will get a 115m tartan training
track. More such incentives should have been included instead of
splashing cash on kids.
Alternatively, rewards should be in terms of scholarships.
Already, there are complaints that present day sportsmen and sportswomen
no longer take pride in representing their states or nation.
Undeniably, sport has become more professional. Gone are the days when
athletes ran for the state or country as patriotic representatives.
But there must still be some level of pride in representing the state or
country.
A re-think of the mechanics of the incentive scheme is certainly in
order.
Wednesday, January 12, 1994
What now, Bakar? (11/01/1994 - The Malay Mail)
Publication : MM
Date : 11/01/1994
Headline : What now, Bakar?
FA of Malaysia's fickle-mindedness has once again put them in spot.
FA of Malaysia vice-president Datuk Bakar Daud's statement on Sunday
that the national soccer body want their national team to compete in the
Asian Games, even if it means paying their way to Hiroshima, only
underlines the uncertainties in what they want.
And it was indeed surprising that Datuk Bakar had given the statement in
the wake of the FA of Malaysia Council's decision last July that they will
not send a team to Hiroshima, even if the Olympic Council of Malaysia
(OCM) give them the go-ahead.
This decision came about after the president of FA of Malaysia, the
Sultan of Pahang, soon after Malaysia's dismal performance in the
Singapore Sea Games in June had said that he saw no reason why the soccer
team should not go to Hiroshima just because of two defeats in the Sea
Games (to Myanmar 1-2 and Thailand 0-2 and failed to reach the semifinals)
as opposed to the team's fine performance in the Jakarta Anniversary
tournament, the Merdeka tournament and the first leg of the pre-World Cup.
However, the Sultan of Pahang changed his mind on his stand after the
advisory committee chaired by him discussed the matter later.
Thoughts
In this meeting, it was pointed out that if the national team were to
compete in Hiroshima, there will be a target set, and they would not be
ready for that yet because the newlook national team will not be ready for
the next two years.
The rationale behind this move was that although exposure is important,
the idea is to focus thoughts on longterm results and set targets only
when the national team are in a position to deliver.
It was said that the new team to be assembled soon will be kept together
for the next five years. Their main target will be the pre-World Cup
qualifying tournament in 1997.
This did not mean that there will be no targets set until 1997, but
while they were not expecting anything substantial for the next two years,
they were looking forward to making an impact in Asian soccer come 1996 in
the Asian Cup.
But all these plans have been blown away, with Datuk Bakar's plea for
the national team to compete in Hiroshima.
The question on everyone's lips is whether we are ready to compete in
the Asian Games, or merely want to compete for the exposure and suffer
another beating which is certainly not going to help our world ranking but
further demoralise the national players.
Or could it be because competing at the Asian Games is glamorous, even
if it means our pride takes a beating.
And are we going to rely on youth players to perform at a high level
competition as the Asian Games, or we are going back to square one by
recalling all the senior players, only to face another debacle and start
crucifying them all over again for no fault of theirs?
If we were really interested and serious about competing in the Asian
Games, we should have started preparing immediately after the Sea Games
debacle and not wait until the 11th hour to join in the bandwagon to
compete in the Games.
Besides, after all has been finalised for the M-League, Malaysia's
participation in the Asian Games will definitely throw a spanner in the
schedule.
Lastly, but not the least, Datuk Bakar's statement has given room for
OCM to shoot them down in the open for no apparent reason, but for their
own folly.
Besides, OCM have already made it very clear since two years ago that
teams or individuals who do not meet the qualifying mark cannot pay their
own way to competitions.
With all these known, it was really puzzling how Datuk Bakar came up
with this statement.
Besides, this view of the soccer team competing in Hiroshima has
certainly not been discussed again after their earlier stand at the
Council meeting.
The next Council meeting is this Sunday, and probably Datuk Bakar has
jumped the gun with his personal thoughts on the matter after the
competitions committee meeting on Sunday of which he is the chairman.
This is not the first time that FA of Malaysia have been seen in the
public as being fickle in their planning because there were other
instances like the Tigers squad which was first formed two years before
the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and was supposed to have been groomed for
the Games.
But, before anything could happen, the team was disbanded as several
potential players were drafted to the already exisiting national team.
It is still happening. Remember the Barcelona Olympic squad? After 18
months of preparation and millions of ringgit pumped in, where are they
now?
Among the other decisions which seemed fickle-minded are:
Format
* Introducing the three-point system in the inaugural Semi-Pro season in
1989 but reverted to the orthodox system the very next season, before
going back to the three-point system again last year.
* The single format league which was in practice from 1982 to 1989 when
the game went semi-professional with two divisions, now reverts back to
the single format for the M-League this season.
* Introducing the National Club League last year, only to change the
format this year to see only one team from each state competing (with the
exception of KL who have two teams) in the new Amateur League. It would
have been more appropriate to introduce a Reserve League, which is finally
being introduced.
Generally, the FA of Malaysia are trying their level best to upgrade the
standard of the game in the country and to attain a respectable standing
among Asian countries but, more often than not, their path has been
impaired by not getting everyone in the association to think in one
direction or at least come to one common consensus and stick by it!
Date : 11/01/1994
Headline : What now, Bakar?
FA of Malaysia's fickle-mindedness has once again put them in spot.
FA of Malaysia vice-president Datuk Bakar Daud's statement on Sunday
that the national soccer body want their national team to compete in the
Asian Games, even if it means paying their way to Hiroshima, only
underlines the uncertainties in what they want.
And it was indeed surprising that Datuk Bakar had given the statement in
the wake of the FA of Malaysia Council's decision last July that they will
not send a team to Hiroshima, even if the Olympic Council of Malaysia
(OCM) give them the go-ahead.
This decision came about after the president of FA of Malaysia, the
Sultan of Pahang, soon after Malaysia's dismal performance in the
Singapore Sea Games in June had said that he saw no reason why the soccer
team should not go to Hiroshima just because of two defeats in the Sea
Games (to Myanmar 1-2 and Thailand 0-2 and failed to reach the semifinals)
as opposed to the team's fine performance in the Jakarta Anniversary
tournament, the Merdeka tournament and the first leg of the pre-World Cup.
However, the Sultan of Pahang changed his mind on his stand after the
advisory committee chaired by him discussed the matter later.
Thoughts
In this meeting, it was pointed out that if the national team were to
compete in Hiroshima, there will be a target set, and they would not be
ready for that yet because the newlook national team will not be ready for
the next two years.
The rationale behind this move was that although exposure is important,
the idea is to focus thoughts on longterm results and set targets only
when the national team are in a position to deliver.
It was said that the new team to be assembled soon will be kept together
for the next five years. Their main target will be the pre-World Cup
qualifying tournament in 1997.
This did not mean that there will be no targets set until 1997, but
while they were not expecting anything substantial for the next two years,
they were looking forward to making an impact in Asian soccer come 1996 in
the Asian Cup.
But all these plans have been blown away, with Datuk Bakar's plea for
the national team to compete in Hiroshima.
The question on everyone's lips is whether we are ready to compete in
the Asian Games, or merely want to compete for the exposure and suffer
another beating which is certainly not going to help our world ranking but
further demoralise the national players.
Or could it be because competing at the Asian Games is glamorous, even
if it means our pride takes a beating.
And are we going to rely on youth players to perform at a high level
competition as the Asian Games, or we are going back to square one by
recalling all the senior players, only to face another debacle and start
crucifying them all over again for no fault of theirs?
If we were really interested and serious about competing in the Asian
Games, we should have started preparing immediately after the Sea Games
debacle and not wait until the 11th hour to join in the bandwagon to
compete in the Games.
Besides, after all has been finalised for the M-League, Malaysia's
participation in the Asian Games will definitely throw a spanner in the
schedule.
Lastly, but not the least, Datuk Bakar's statement has given room for
OCM to shoot them down in the open for no apparent reason, but for their
own folly.
Besides, OCM have already made it very clear since two years ago that
teams or individuals who do not meet the qualifying mark cannot pay their
own way to competitions.
With all these known, it was really puzzling how Datuk Bakar came up
with this statement.
Besides, this view of the soccer team competing in Hiroshima has
certainly not been discussed again after their earlier stand at the
Council meeting.
The next Council meeting is this Sunday, and probably Datuk Bakar has
jumped the gun with his personal thoughts on the matter after the
competitions committee meeting on Sunday of which he is the chairman.
This is not the first time that FA of Malaysia have been seen in the
public as being fickle in their planning because there were other
instances like the Tigers squad which was first formed two years before
the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and was supposed to have been groomed for
the Games.
But, before anything could happen, the team was disbanded as several
potential players were drafted to the already exisiting national team.
It is still happening. Remember the Barcelona Olympic squad? After 18
months of preparation and millions of ringgit pumped in, where are they
now?
Among the other decisions which seemed fickle-minded are:
Format
* Introducing the three-point system in the inaugural Semi-Pro season in
1989 but reverted to the orthodox system the very next season, before
going back to the three-point system again last year.
* The single format league which was in practice from 1982 to 1989 when
the game went semi-professional with two divisions, now reverts back to
the single format for the M-League this season.
* Introducing the National Club League last year, only to change the
format this year to see only one team from each state competing (with the
exception of KL who have two teams) in the new Amateur League. It would
have been more appropriate to introduce a Reserve League, which is finally
being introduced.
Generally, the FA of Malaysia are trying their level best to upgrade the
standard of the game in the country and to attain a respectable standing
among Asian countries but, more often than not, their path has been
impaired by not getting everyone in the association to think in one
direction or at least come to one common consensus and stick by it!
Monday, December 6, 1993
Wanted man (The Malay Mail)
KEN SHELLITO, Selangor's director of coaching, is being sought by several
States for the inaugural Malaysian League next season.
Shellito, 53, whose contract with Selangor runs until May, confirmed
several States have indicated interest in him but nothing has been
finalised.
"I am interested in coaching in the M-League but first I will have to
find out if the FA of Selangor are renewing my contract as director of
coaching," said Shellito, who played several matches for England in the
60s but failed to make the 1966 World Cup team after suffering a serious
knee injury three months before the tournament.
"Although I enjoy working on the development side, I feel I can
contribute to both the M-League and development," said Shellito.
Shellito, however, refused to reveal the States interested in him
because there have been just "casual talks" so far.
Shellito came to Selangor in 1992 when former Selangor manager-coach
Mazlan Harun hired him as director of coaching.
But towards the end of the season, Mazlan was relieved of his post.
Shellito was tipped to coach Selangor this season but German Bernd
Schumm was signed on for two seasons.
Shellito has been active in Selangors development programme and has also
been active as adviser to youth teams in the State.
He has been conducting coaching clinics at the districts.
Shellito managed Chelsea from 1977-80 and later, Queen's Park Rangers
and Crystal Palace.
He was also in charge of development for the Southern part of Coventry
and was in Singapore for a year with a private company specialising in
coaching schools.
Surprising
It is not surprising that States are interested in Shellito because the
trend is to hire coaches familar with Malaysian soccer.
Other foreign coaches available are Milous Kvacek (former Kedah, KL,
Singapore and Perak), Michael Urukalo (Johor), Josef Herel (Negri
Sembilan), Ken Worden (Selangor and national) and Ken Morten (Police).
Former national coach, Chow Kwai Lam, has also has been linked with
severalStates.
Among the States looking for coaches are Perak, Penang, Perlis, Pahang
and Kelantan.
(END)
Saturday, December 4, 1993
Need for more professional approach (03/12/1993 - The Malay Mail)
Publication : MM
Date : 03/12/1993
Headline : Need for more professional approach
MALAYSIAN soccer enters a new chapter with the Malaysian League making its
debut next year and, unless State FAs and its officials, players, coaches,
agents and parents exercise total professionalism, the league will be no
better than an amateur league.
The FA of Malaysia, since introducing the Semi-Pro League in 1989, have
made endless efforts to ensure that a professional approach is adopted by
all to prepare for the league to go fully professional, but it has been
five years now and there are still many problems simply because a
professional code of ethics more often than not takes a back seat.
The 1993 season has just ended and already several controversies have
surfaced.
Among the problems which have arose are States trying to get the
services of players who still have more than six months' contract left
with another State; sacking players who still have valid contracts without
concrete reasons or compensations; players with more than six months'
contract left with a State trying to secure deals with another State;
players making deals with several States at the same time; coaches
applying for jobs in States where existing coaches still have a contract,
and parents marketing their sons to other States despite having contracts
with a certain State.
These problems have surfaced every year since 1989 and, despite the
State FAs and their officials being educated on the dos and don'ts year in
and out through seminars conducted by the FAM, most seem ignorant of the
rules and guidelines. Although State FAs come out to say that they intend
to do everything above board, time and again they are at fault.
So much so that contracts signed every year between State FAs and
players hold nothing concrete except just a piece of paper.
Players themselves have to be partly blamed because many really do not
realise what they are signing or what their rights are.
Youth players especially sign long-term contracts without giving it a
second thought because they look very attractive when offered.
But a season or two later, when these players shine and other States
show interest in them, they want out.
State FAs are no better. Many a player have been made to sign blank
contract forms and do not even get a copy of their contract.
State FAs have been known to stop paying wages the moment their team
bows out of the competition, when all contracts are to end at the end of
the year season.
Unless all parties concerned exercise professionalism and adhere to all
rules of signing on and terminating players and coaches alike, it will
just be like a circus for those watching from outside.
It is really amazing and funny how rules are blatantly broken, or people
coming up with deals outside the system by using top level powers or even
arm-twisting tactics.
It should be pointed out than no one is bigger than the game itself and,
unless all measures are taken to ensure everything is done according to
the rules and fairplay is strictly observed, the game will be the loser.
Date : 03/12/1993
Headline : Need for more professional approach
MALAYSIAN soccer enters a new chapter with the Malaysian League making its
debut next year and, unless State FAs and its officials, players, coaches,
agents and parents exercise total professionalism, the league will be no
better than an amateur league.
The FA of Malaysia, since introducing the Semi-Pro League in 1989, have
made endless efforts to ensure that a professional approach is adopted by
all to prepare for the league to go fully professional, but it has been
five years now and there are still many problems simply because a
professional code of ethics more often than not takes a back seat.
The 1993 season has just ended and already several controversies have
surfaced.
Among the problems which have arose are States trying to get the
services of players who still have more than six months' contract left
with another State; sacking players who still have valid contracts without
concrete reasons or compensations; players with more than six months'
contract left with a State trying to secure deals with another State;
players making deals with several States at the same time; coaches
applying for jobs in States where existing coaches still have a contract,
and parents marketing their sons to other States despite having contracts
with a certain State.
These problems have surfaced every year since 1989 and, despite the
State FAs and their officials being educated on the dos and don'ts year in
and out through seminars conducted by the FAM, most seem ignorant of the
rules and guidelines. Although State FAs come out to say that they intend
to do everything above board, time and again they are at fault.
So much so that contracts signed every year between State FAs and
players hold nothing concrete except just a piece of paper.
Players themselves have to be partly blamed because many really do not
realise what they are signing or what their rights are.
Youth players especially sign long-term contracts without giving it a
second thought because they look very attractive when offered.
But a season or two later, when these players shine and other States
show interest in them, they want out.
State FAs are no better. Many a player have been made to sign blank
contract forms and do not even get a copy of their contract.
State FAs have been known to stop paying wages the moment their team
bows out of the competition, when all contracts are to end at the end of
the year season.
Unless all parties concerned exercise professionalism and adhere to all
rules of signing on and terminating players and coaches alike, it will
just be like a circus for those watching from outside.
It is really amazing and funny how rules are blatantly broken, or people
coming up with deals outside the system by using top level powers or even
arm-twisting tactics.
It should be pointed out than no one is bigger than the game itself and,
unless all measures are taken to ensure everything is done according to
the rules and fairplay is strictly observed, the game will be the loser.
Wednesday, December 1, 1993
Local status for foreign pros? (The Malay Mail)
PLAYERS from Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei will no longer be considered
foreign pros when they turn out for local clubs in the inaugural M-League,
if a proposal is adopted by the FA of Malaysia.
This suggestion is one of several to be discussed when the FAM council
meet in Kuching on Friday, said general secretary Datuk Paul Mony.
"The proposal is to allow free movement of players among the three
countries without categorising them as foreigners," said Mony.
Singaporeans playing for Malaysian States have been considered foreign
players, using up therefore the three foreign pros quota. Players like
Fandi Ahmad, Malek Awab, K. Kannan (Kuala Lumpur), V. Sundram Moorthy
(Kedah) and Ahmad Paijan (Terengganu), among others, have played for
Malaysian teams before.
Except for Ahmad, the others have returned to Singapore. However, Johor
signed on Hasnim Haron this season while Armed Forces had A. Devaraj and
A.R.J. Maran.
It should be pointed out that several seasons ago, Singaporeans with
permanent resident status weren't considered foreign players. That rule
was amended to categorise them as foreigners.
The proposal opens a new avenue for Malaysian players, especially those
who could be offered contracts by Singapore and Brunei. It was felt that
since the two countries are part of the Malaysian soccer system, the
foreign status should not be imposed on them.
Other proposals made by the secretaries include:
* CONSIDER shelving the FA Cup next season because of the hectic League
schedule.
* FOREIGN players will have to miss a season when they move from one
Malaysian team to another.
Mony said States are concerned about over-taxing the players if the FA
Cup is held simultaneously with the League.
"Under the new format, the 16 teams will play 30 matches. That's an
average of six matches a month. As such, the FA Cup will be a burden,"
Mony pointed out.
There is fear if the FA Cup is enforced, the States may not use their
regulars, thus depriving the competition of the glamour. It was suggested
the League be monitored next year before considering the viability of re-
introducing the FA Cup in 1995.
Besides, there will be more time from 1995 onwards as the fasting month
will be earlier.
The competitions committee are, however, in favour of the FA Cup. They
are expected to make alternative suggestions.
(END)
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