Bull Run Column @ Vietnam Sea Games 2003
THE 22nd SEA Games in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City come to a close tomorrow
evening, but as far as the Vietnamese are concerned, it is tonight which
will determine whether it has been a successful sporting event for them or
not.
Vietnam, hosting the Games for the first time, are all set to finish
tops with their current standing of 106 gold, 66 silver and 72 bronze
medals yesterday, when the final events are held tomorrow morning,
followed by the closing ceremony in the evening.
The hosts had predicted they would finish a close second to Thailand,
and only predicted a 100-gold haul, but everything points to Vietnam
surpassing their target to finish tops.
This will come as no surprise as 11 of the 22 hosts of the Seap/SEA
Games have finished on top in the medals tally. Among them are Malaysia,
who were medal champions two years ago with a total haul of 111-75-85.
However, Malaysia may not achieve their target of 50 gold medals in
Vietnam this time.
But for Vietnam, emerging first in the medals tally could mean nothing
if their soccer team fail to beat Thailand in tonight's final.
I have never seen a nation in this region so passionate about the game.
With their women's soccer team having won the gold last night after
edging Myanmar 2-1, the men would not be forgiven if they fail to repeat
their feat.
From what I have witnessed the last 16 days, both in Ho Chi Minh City
and Hanoi, is that in this soccer-crazy nation, the SEA Games are going to
be judged by whether their soccer team are going to win the final.
There have been wild celebrations into the wee hours of the morning by
the Vietnamese after every game their team have played.
What the scene is going to be after tonight's final whistle is beyond my
wildest imagination. Will all the sweet and seemingly harmless women turn
violent if their team lose? I really do not know.
For the sake of Vietnam, I am praying their team will win because all I
can see is a riot breaking tonight if they lose.
And I would hate to be in the Thai team as what they will have to
undergo after tonight's match.
Team manager Thavat-chai Sajakul has made preparations for meals to be
supplied to his players at the National Main Stadium if they have to spend
the night there after winning the title.
That is how confident the Thais are about the match and knowing them,
they fear nothing and just like the Vietnamese, they are also die-hard
patriots.
Many Vietnamese are telling me not to fear anything because they are
peace-loving people who will not resort to violence.
"We just love soccer so much and want our team to win," said a volunteer
at the Main Press Centre. "We just want a reason to celebrate."
Yeah, but losing the final will certainly not be a reason to celebrate.
All the smiles and sweet faces could see the fans resorting to violence
in their moment of despair.
I hate to think what Hanoi and the other cities in Vietnam are going to
be like tonight.
Be it celebrations because of the win by Vietnam, or all hell breaking
loose if they lose, it is going to be chaos before the Games flame is put
off tomorrow for the next edition in the Philippines in 2005.
I will be at the stadium to report on the third placing match between
Malaysia and Myanmar and staying back for the final because there is no
way I can leave as not only will a 40,000-capacity crowd be expected,
there will also be several thousand fans milling outside.
I can choose to stay in the MPC and cover the game - to be shown live on
TV - as many have decided to do so but I am not going to miss this
momentous occasion.
(END)
Friday, December 12, 2003
Will all hell break loose if Vietnam lose? (The Malay Mail)
Monday, December 8, 2003
A tale of two cities and their folk
Bull Run Column @ Vietnam Sea Games 2003
AFTER 10 exciting days in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), I moved base to Hanoi
yesterday afternoon. It was not only the cool weather which greeted me,
but also a rather cold atmosphere in the capital, which is supposed to be
the heart of the Games where 22 sports are being competed.
Maybe I was spoilt by the friendly and helpful volunteers, officials and
people of HCMC.
But my apprehensions were confirmed when I went to the Main Press Centre
(MPC), where I met the "Malaysian media contingent" who confirmed my fears
that life is not going to be as smooth as HCMC.
I had been forewarned by my colleague, Rizal Hashim, who has been in
Hanoi for a week now, that things would be different. After checking out
the MPC and settling in, I found that it was adequately equipped with all
facilities at hand, definitely bigger than the MPC in HCMC but lacking in
friendliness.
I soon realised my stay here is going to be taxing as I asked for
directions to Daewoo Hotel where the Malaysian soccer team are staying.
The volunteer told me that it was nearby, a 10-minute walk away, and at
the same time, enjoy the scene in Hanoi. I was supposed to take the road
down the MPC, make a left turn at the first junction and the hotel would
be there.
That was simple enough, and I decided to walk. Hardly, had I walked 30m,
I realised there was a left turn, but it was a narrow road which led to a
wet-market!
Then I saw another small passage which led to the main street and 200m
away, was the Daewoo Hotel.
I decided to take a cab back after meeting the Malaysian team.
I had asked the volunteer at MPC to write the address in Vietnamese and
boarding a metered taxi from a five-star hotel, I was sure my nightmare
was over. How wrong I was!
The taxi driver, who had nodded that he knew the MPC, lost his way and
guess what ... we came to a dead-end. The driver had to ask for directions
before he finally said I've arrived at my destination. But it did not look
like the MPC because it was the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC)!
I asked one of the electronic journalists from Vietnam for the MPC but
he didn't speak any English. But after pointing on the map, he instructed
me to head for a supermarket as the MPC was nearby. As I headed towards
the supermarket, someone called my name. It was sports commentator Shaukei
Kahar, who was having a cup of coffee.
I was relieved and asked him for directions and he said that I had to
walk around the supermarket. I headed for the MPC, pleased that I have
finally got the right directions.
I took the turn but there was no MPC but a dark alley and with no signs.
I decided to walk back to the supermarket and ask for directions. I got a
promoter to look at the address and she said that this (the supermarket)
was the address on the paper!
I walked out and asked some uniformed men for directions using the map.
One of them pointed back to the alley and told me to walk right to the
end. Sure enough at the end was the back of the MPC.
I'm already missing the city with one million motorcycles that is Ho Chi
Minh City.
(END)
Wednesday, December 3, 2003
The Hua Sen can be seen in every Vietnamese
Bull Run Column @ Vietnam Sea Games 2003
VIETNAM have no official flower, but the Hua Sen (lotus) is used widely as
the official flower.
Thai Hoa, a third year English student at the Social Science and
Humanology University in Ho Chi Minh City, took the trouble to explain why
Hua Sen was widely used. He works as a part-time waiter at a Hotel to pay
his fees.
Every part of Hua Sen is used for bouquets and decorations. The stems
are used for salads, the roots as food, the seeds as dessert and the
leaves as food wrappers."
Hua Sen can be found in all parts of Vietnam.
"The reason why Hua Sen is so close to the hearts of Vietnamese is the
flower despite growing in dirty water and mud has a very sweet smell,"
said Thai Hoa.
"The flower actually characterises Vietnamese women who are sweet and
pleasant.
"We use the flower for just about everything. It portrays Vietnamese
people in general who stand out in whatever they do and come off smelling
good."
The executive-chef at Equatorial Hotel, Vincent Tan, a Malaysian who has
been in Ho Chi Minh city for the last eight years agreed with Thai Hoa.
"I have been here for eight years and everywhere I go, I see the Hua Sen
being used," said Vincent, who hails from Kangar.
The 42-year-old Vincent who won the Prime Minister's Golden Hand award
as the best chef in Malaysia in 1993 and represented the nation in several
international competitions, said the people of Vietnam are like Hua Sen.
"They are very nice people who are ever friendly and learn things very
fast.
"Having worked here for eight years, I can testify that the Vietnamese
people work hard at whatever they do.
"And it is for this reason, I believe they will come out smelling like
the lotus at the end of the Games.
"Many people have expressed their apprehensions when Vietnam were picked
to host the Games for the first time.
"To the people of Vietnam, this Games is an opportunity to show they are
capable of hosting an international event.
"For them, it is a matter of face value. They will apologise profusely
if anything goes wrong and go out of the way to make it right if not
better"
Vincent and Thai Hoa are 100 per cent right about the people of Vietnam.
Just walk down the streets of Ho Chi Minh City and you will be greeted
by smiles from strangers welcoming you to Vietnam.
Some just break into a conversation asking where you are from. They even
recognise Malaysians.
They are honest and friendly people.
Unlike, most cities in Asia where foreigners are taken for a "ride", one
can rest assured it does not happen in Vietnam.
Taxi drivers use meters without being asked to do so. The drivers
automatically click it on when you board and charge accordingly.
They make it a point to find out from other taxi drivers or through
their wireless to your destination before heading off.
And they take the shortest route to your destination.
This speaks volumes of their honesty and if there were fears of them
cheating to win medals, it can be dismissed.
They will not do anything to tarnish their image.
They will want to come out smelling like the Hua Sen at the end of the
Games.
(END)
The article which
translated to Vietnamese and appeared on 13-12-2003 in the TuoiTre newspaper
Click here for link
translated to Vietnamese and appeared on 13-12-2003 in the TuoiTre newspaper
Click here for link
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| | Thứ Sáu, 24/07/2009, 16:52 |
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Monday, October 20, 2003
Goodbye Harun, we will miss you (The Sunday Mail)
THE passing of former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Harun Idris yesterday
at his home in Taman Duta sees him leave behind a legacy in sports,
especially soccer in Selangor.
He is survived by his wife Datin Salmah Sulaiman, children Mazlan,
Ramlan, Azman, Rozina, Rozita, Shafika, 18 grandchildren, four great
grandchildren and a host of relatives.
Harun, who turned 79 on July 21, will remain an icon in Malaysian
soccer. He was a people's man to the general public but to the soccer
fraternity, he was a Godfather.
He inspired professionalism among the Selangor players in the 1960s and
1970s.
Those days, when players played for the love of the game and earned
minimum wages, Harun would go out of his way to find funds to give the
players extra cash.
The players loved Harun who was a down-to-earth man who always had time
to listen to them. When they played, it was not just for Selangor but also
for Harun.
It was common to see him at playing fields in Kampung Baru where the
official MB's residence was despite his hectic schedule.
It was during one of these stops he spotted a stocky, well-built boy,
whom he took under his wings.
That player was none other than the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari - who
became a legend in Malaysia and Asia.
Although he was the man who discovered Mokhtar, Harun refused to include
him in the 1972 Olympic team despite the insistence of FAM as he felt
Mokhtar was not ready.
When Mokhtar passed away in 1991, Harun said his omission made Mokhtar a
better player because, the striker might have got swollen headed and not
realised his true potential.
Harun, who was an FA of Selangor president in the 1960s, also helmed the
Selangor Malays Football Association and was a FAM council member.
He was manager of the national team on numerous occasions and chef-de-
mission to the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Besides soccer, Harun was president of the Malaysian Professional
Golfers Association and was also responsible for bringing in 1975, the
Muhammad Ali-Joe Bugner world heavyweight boxing fight to Merdeka Stadium.
Harun was also a biker into his 60s. He even travelled to outstation
matches on his motorcycle besides being a regular sight at the Merdeka
Stadium with his leather jacket and helmet.
Among the honours he won was the 1995 SAM Benson & Hedges Award for
Leadership.
He said then: "Despite being away for more than 20 years, I'm glad there
are people who never forget my services. I feel honoured and proud. I
never expected to win."
However, he was disappointed that the athletes of today, were different
than those from his time.
"Those days, athletes - especially soccer players - loved the game. But
now it's all about money," he said.
"We lack people who can motivate athletes to play with pride. Instead,
they are promised rewards if they do well."
Harun was from the old school of sports but saw results achieved. He may
be gone but his memories will live forever.
(END)
Saturday, August 23, 2003
It's about being consistently good (22/08/2003 - The Malayl Mail)
Publication : MM
Date : 22/08/2003
Headline : It's about being consistently good
EXCELLENCE in sports is about consistently performing at a high level and
champions are only true champions when they repeat their performances.
We have to educate our athletes that champions are made of stern stuff
and would remain on top for a period of time.
In some ways, the sports system in Malaysia is partly to be blamed for
one shot wonders.
The authorities and general public get all excited with any form of
achievements. This is because Malaysians are starved of achievements and
go overboard in praising any success.
Then, of course, the large rewards for mediocre achievements see
athletes losing sight of their ultimate goal, and fizzle out in most
cases.
It's time to review the National Incentive Scheme and replace it with a
pension-like scheme with higher payouts after retirement based on the
number of years as a national athlete and the achievements during that
time.
This way, it will definitely see our national athletes strive harder to
not only stay longer in their respective sports, but to continue to work
hard to get results after results. Otherwise, they will be at the losing
end.
Just look at the number of athletes who have had a yo-yo performance
after a good outing, took their time to return to the top or in some cases
just just disappeared from the scene.
Names like Hidayat Hamidon, Sapok Biki, Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim and Hafiz
Hashim should ring a bell.
But, at the same time, we have athletes who are dedicated, disciplined
and determined to go higher each time they compete or, at worst, are
consistent with their performance.
We certainly cannot fault athletes who work hard and try their level
best but are unable to achieve the desired results because of tough
competition.
And, surprisingly, many of the athletes who have done well and continue
to strive hard are those who make sacrifices - like those who have to
divide their time between studies and sports or those who have gone
professional.
Among the athletes who have often given reasons for cheers time and
again include sailor Kevin Lim, cyclist Josiah Ng, shuttler Wong Choong
Hann, bowler Shalin Zulkifli, karate exponent S. Premila, swimmer Lim Keng
Liat and squash player Ong Beng Yee.
It is about time the rest of the Malaysian athletes emulated these
athletes to give Malaysian sports a more permanent ranking in the world
arena.
One just has to look at Tiger Woods or the Williams sisters to understand
what champions are all about.
Of course asking our athletes to emulate these icons would be asking too
much of them but they certainly can start somewhere to be more
consistently successful, at least in this region, for all the money spent
on them and sports in general in the country.
Date : 22/08/2003
Headline : It's about being consistently good
EXCELLENCE in sports is about consistently performing at a high level and
champions are only true champions when they repeat their performances.
We have to educate our athletes that champions are made of stern stuff
and would remain on top for a period of time.
In some ways, the sports system in Malaysia is partly to be blamed for
one shot wonders.
The authorities and general public get all excited with any form of
achievements. This is because Malaysians are starved of achievements and
go overboard in praising any success.
Then, of course, the large rewards for mediocre achievements see
athletes losing sight of their ultimate goal, and fizzle out in most
cases.
It's time to review the National Incentive Scheme and replace it with a
pension-like scheme with higher payouts after retirement based on the
number of years as a national athlete and the achievements during that
time.
This way, it will definitely see our national athletes strive harder to
not only stay longer in their respective sports, but to continue to work
hard to get results after results. Otherwise, they will be at the losing
end.
Just look at the number of athletes who have had a yo-yo performance
after a good outing, took their time to return to the top or in some cases
just just disappeared from the scene.
Names like Hidayat Hamidon, Sapok Biki, Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim and Hafiz
Hashim should ring a bell.
But, at the same time, we have athletes who are dedicated, disciplined
and determined to go higher each time they compete or, at worst, are
consistent with their performance.
We certainly cannot fault athletes who work hard and try their level
best but are unable to achieve the desired results because of tough
competition.
And, surprisingly, many of the athletes who have done well and continue
to strive hard are those who make sacrifices - like those who have to
divide their time between studies and sports or those who have gone
professional.
Among the athletes who have often given reasons for cheers time and
again include sailor Kevin Lim, cyclist Josiah Ng, shuttler Wong Choong
Hann, bowler Shalin Zulkifli, karate exponent S. Premila, swimmer Lim Keng
Liat and squash player Ong Beng Yee.
It is about time the rest of the Malaysian athletes emulated these
athletes to give Malaysian sports a more permanent ranking in the world
arena.
One just has to look at Tiger Woods or the Williams sisters to understand
what champions are all about.
Of course asking our athletes to emulate these icons would be asking too
much of them but they certainly can start somewhere to be more
consistently successful, at least in this region, for all the money spent
on them and sports in general in the country.
Saturday, August 16, 2003
The hearts of our fans lie abroad (15/08/2003 - The Malay Mail)
Publication : MM
Date : 15/08/2003
Headline : The hearts of our fans lie abroad
IT is sad that the Malaysia Cup kicking off next Wednesday is not getting
the same attention from the local fans who are more excited about the
English Premier League (EPL).
The new EPL season starting tomorrow is the talk in schools, offices,
streets, restaurants, pubs, warong, and even in the toilets!
Even Malaysian women are getting excited over it.
Last Sunday at a street soccer party in Bangsar during the launch of the
New Straits Times special pullout, EPLplus, about 5,000 fans packed Jalan
Telawi 3 to watch the Community Shield match between Manchester United and
Arsenal.
It was a fantastic response to a match played thousands of miles away.
Ironically, on the same night in Penang, the Malaysia Cup draw was made
without much hype.
The next day, folk were still excited about the Community Shield match
but there was hardly any talk of the Malaysia Cup draw.
Without doubt, the EPL and European Champions League have captured the
imagination of Malaysian fans in a big way - thanks to the live telecast
of many matches from the continent and wide coverage in Malaysian
newspapers.
Teams like the Red Devils have Malaysian fans so much in thrall that
they suffer withdrawal symptoms when the EPL season ended. Many just did
not know how to spend their time in the evenings while many woke up in the
middle of the night, disappointed there was no live telecast.
On the other hand, during the M-League, teams were playing to half-
filled or near-empty stadiums across the country. Malaysian fans no longer
talk about their local teams or players.
Even the giants like Selangor have lost their allure.
What is happening to Malaysian soccer?
Talk to any fan on the street, and he will say that the standards of
Malaysian soccer have suffered.
Or is it because these fans have acquired a taste for foreign soccer
that they start comparing Malaysian players with the foreign teams?
Whatever it is, there is no denying that Malaysian soccer standards have
dropped drastically.
Date : 15/08/2003
Headline : The hearts of our fans lie abroad
IT is sad that the Malaysia Cup kicking off next Wednesday is not getting
the same attention from the local fans who are more excited about the
English Premier League (EPL).
The new EPL season starting tomorrow is the talk in schools, offices,
streets, restaurants, pubs, warong, and even in the toilets!
Even Malaysian women are getting excited over it.
Last Sunday at a street soccer party in Bangsar during the launch of the
New Straits Times special pullout, EPLplus, about 5,000 fans packed Jalan
Telawi 3 to watch the Community Shield match between Manchester United and
Arsenal.
It was a fantastic response to a match played thousands of miles away.
Ironically, on the same night in Penang, the Malaysia Cup draw was made
without much hype.
The next day, folk were still excited about the Community Shield match
but there was hardly any talk of the Malaysia Cup draw.
Without doubt, the EPL and European Champions League have captured the
imagination of Malaysian fans in a big way - thanks to the live telecast
of many matches from the continent and wide coverage in Malaysian
newspapers.
Teams like the Red Devils have Malaysian fans so much in thrall that
they suffer withdrawal symptoms when the EPL season ended. Many just did
not know how to spend their time in the evenings while many woke up in the
middle of the night, disappointed there was no live telecast.
On the other hand, during the M-League, teams were playing to half-
filled or near-empty stadiums across the country. Malaysian fans no longer
talk about their local teams or players.
Even the giants like Selangor have lost their allure.
What is happening to Malaysian soccer?
Talk to any fan on the street, and he will say that the standards of
Malaysian soccer have suffered.
Or is it because these fans have acquired a taste for foreign soccer
that they start comparing Malaysian players with the foreign teams?
Whatever it is, there is no denying that Malaysian soccer standards have
dropped drastically.
Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Let's go back to being amateurs! (23/06/2003 - The Malay Mail)
Publication : MM
Date : 23/06/2003
Headline : Let's go back to being amateurs!
SOCCER players are the highest paid sportsmen in the country, but their
performances and achievements left much to be desired. Khalid Jamlus
getting the stick from Perak FA is another example of a player who thinks
he is a prima donna when in actual fact, his performance is far from
anywhere near top quality.
Khalid is probably the best among the worst but yet he can get carried
away with his status.
Once too often, we have had players skipping training, giving lacklustre
performances, keeping late nights, reporting late for training, choosing
when and which tournament to play, faking injuries, etc.
Maybe, we should go back to the good old amateur days when the standard
of the game was far better and the players more disciplined and committed.
As amateurs and with work to do, the players will at least be fully
occupied and not have the luxury of whiling away the hours at nightspots,
sleeping away the days and loitering at shopping complexes with
girlfriends. Some have even been implicated in drug and rape cases.
One of the main reasons for today's poor state of the game is that every
player who calls himself a professional, does not have a clue of what the
word "professionalism" means.
Professional soccer status should only be accorded to the best in the
country and this means only those who make the national team. That will
make players strive for excellence to get full contracts and enjoy the
benefits of playing fulltime soccer.
The national back-up squad players too should be considered for full
time playing status if it means better training facilities, exposure and
coaching.
The rest should only be given amateur contracts and they will have to
find a job to supplement their allowances from playing soccer.
Today, every Ali, Muthu and Ah Chong is a professional player in the M-
League. Let's face it. We are not ready for professional soccer although
we have gone into it since the 90s because the State FAs and clubs
themselves do not conduct themselves as professional outfits.
They have made the M-League a circus and it is no surprise that we have
clowns playing the game.
Many of the players believe they are God's gift to the game when in
actual fact they cannot hold a candle to others from many of our
neighboring countries.
To make matters worse, when these so called professionals do not conduct
themselves well, the laws protect them. Even to get rid of them from a
team take a long process, and the real losers are the employers, the game
and the paying fans.
And when FAM do everything possible to improve the game, including
sending the so called cream of the nation for overseas stints, these
players come running back with all sorts of excuses - bad weather, food,
language, injury and just about everything else.
Is it a surprise that players from Thailand, China, India, Japan, and
Korea have all gone on to a higher level? These players have made
sacrifices, have the passion, are disciplined, and above all, have
ambitions.
Date : 23/06/2003
Headline : Let's go back to being amateurs!
SOCCER players are the highest paid sportsmen in the country, but their
performances and achievements left much to be desired. Khalid Jamlus
getting the stick from Perak FA is another example of a player who thinks
he is a prima donna when in actual fact, his performance is far from
anywhere near top quality.
Khalid is probably the best among the worst but yet he can get carried
away with his status.
Once too often, we have had players skipping training, giving lacklustre
performances, keeping late nights, reporting late for training, choosing
when and which tournament to play, faking injuries, etc.
Maybe, we should go back to the good old amateur days when the standard
of the game was far better and the players more disciplined and committed.
As amateurs and with work to do, the players will at least be fully
occupied and not have the luxury of whiling away the hours at nightspots,
sleeping away the days and loitering at shopping complexes with
girlfriends. Some have even been implicated in drug and rape cases.
One of the main reasons for today's poor state of the game is that every
player who calls himself a professional, does not have a clue of what the
word "professionalism" means.
Professional soccer status should only be accorded to the best in the
country and this means only those who make the national team. That will
make players strive for excellence to get full contracts and enjoy the
benefits of playing fulltime soccer.
The national back-up squad players too should be considered for full
time playing status if it means better training facilities, exposure and
coaching.
The rest should only be given amateur contracts and they will have to
find a job to supplement their allowances from playing soccer.
Today, every Ali, Muthu and Ah Chong is a professional player in the M-
League. Let's face it. We are not ready for professional soccer although
we have gone into it since the 90s because the State FAs and clubs
themselves do not conduct themselves as professional outfits.
They have made the M-League a circus and it is no surprise that we have
clowns playing the game.
Many of the players believe they are God's gift to the game when in
actual fact they cannot hold a candle to others from many of our
neighboring countries.
To make matters worse, when these so called professionals do not conduct
themselves well, the laws protect them. Even to get rid of them from a
team take a long process, and the real losers are the employers, the game
and the paying fans.
And when FAM do everything possible to improve the game, including
sending the so called cream of the nation for overseas stints, these
players come running back with all sorts of excuses - bad weather, food,
language, injury and just about everything else.
Is it a surprise that players from Thailand, China, India, Japan, and
Korea have all gone on to a higher level? These players have made
sacrifices, have the passion, are disciplined, and above all, have
ambitions.
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