IT was hilarious at times, ridiculous at other times and then shocking, but finally some sense was made out of the Olympic Council of Malaysia's one-day Conference to get feedback from National Sports Associations (NSAs) and relevant parties, to draft a Strategic Plan for 2011-2016.
That at a Conference which had a clear objective on the cards, so many of them were off topic and were discussing funding issues and housekeeping matters, was indeed hilarious, ridiculous and shocking.
Several were taking a dig at the Media for not giving the coverage for their respective sports, while some blamed the media for their shortcomings.
Others were blaming sponsors for not giving enough to them not being able to carry out their activities.
Many were asking for funds from the Government and OCM to run their association and activities.
Then, we had someone take to task their leaders of their associations, when they were the very ones who had brought them in!
They simply failed to look at themselves in the mirror and ask what they can do to better themselves and give the sports, instead of using the sports for their own individual gains.
However, things were put into perspective in afternoon session when panelist, a former teacher, Sports Ministry official, soccer coach and administrator, Datuk Peter Velappan and Malaysia Lawn Bowl Federation's, secretary-general, Ramble Dallan Rice-Oxley, between them, showed what the strategic plan should be for OCM.
While Peter spoke in detail about grassroots development and how OCM should take charge of its affiliates, Ramble, spoke of how a well run association with proper vision and mission in place and professional administration and governance, success can be achieved, even if their sports is not the popular sports.
Basically, after listening to what several sports officials spoke in the morning, it was clearly evident that many sports associations do not have a clue how to manage their associations and were just waiting for handouts to carry out their activities.
It was also evident that many associations all started to build their houses from the pinnacle and not from the base.
Of course, there were some associations who have established themselves with proper management and governance. But the majority needed to get their houses in order.
To make matters worse, many National Sports Associations failed to attend the Conference. Then, in the afternoon session, from the filled hall in the morning, it was two-third empty.
That alone underlines the seriousness of many sports associations and what they are capable of doing for Malaysian sports.
Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, last week when he attended the Olympian Night, had said that OCM have to take charge and mean business with the NSAs. Muhyiddin was spot-on.
OCM has to start being cruel to be kind to NSAs if they are to do Malaysian sports a favour.
OCM president, Tunku Tan Sri Imran Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar, summarised the day's session well and listed out the areas which will be their Strategic Plan for 2011-2016.
It is just hoped that this Plan, after being discussed further and passed by the OCM Board, does not remain in the shelves of OCM, but is carried out to make an impact.
It is time to walk the talk.
Whatever said and done, it was very evident from the Conference, that the majority of the NSAs have a great deal to be blamed for the current state of Malaysian sports.
The truth may hurt, but Sports Commissioner, Datuk Nik Mahmud Nik Yusof's revelation just before the close of the Conference, clearly underlined that the majority of NSAs were far from ready, to be running sports in the country.
Tunku Imran's reaction to Datuk Nik's revelation was: "This is shocking. I never knew that NSAs were weak and complacent."
What did Datuk Nik reveal?
It is indeed shocking and it will be posted in my next posting.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Two year wait for a title ends for Aaron and Li Jane
Penang’s Aaron Kong and Perak’s Sin Li Jane won the Men and Ladies Open Masters title respectively at the 34th Canon Malaysian National Bowling championship at the Sunway Megalanes last night.
It was night where the top seeds of the match play finals and defending champions of both the Men and Ladies category fell aside.
Even before the match play was rolled off where the top eight bowlers after the final rounds of the Masters final qualified after playing ten games, Ladies defending champion, Siti Safiyah Amirah failed to make the cut when she finished tenth out the 12 bowlers in the final rounds.
Then as the top seed qualifiers for the match play – Men’s Adrian Ang and Ladies’ Sharon Koh – lost out in the semifinals, it was left to Men’s defending champion, Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek to carry the challenge.
But Syafiq, a member of the Elite national team, also was felled when fellow national bowler, Aaron beat him in the final over two games – 204-163 and 202-182.
In the Ladies final, 18-year-old Li Jane from Perak and a member of the National Back-up Elite, had to bring out her best to beat Penang’s Fatin Syazliana, also member of the National Back-up Elite, squad over three games.
Fatin set the pace with a first game victory over Li Jane with a 246-218 game, before the latter came back to defeat Fatin in a close match of 229-207.The decider was nerve wrecking in the first few frames, before Li Jane pulled away to win 215-175.
Aaron won RM 7,000 for his win, while Li Jane picked up RM3,000. Syafiq collected RM3,000 while Fatin pocketed RM1,500.
In the Men's semifinals, Aaron who qualified for the Masters as the sixth seed, had defeated fellow Penangite, fellow national bowler and top seed, Adrian Ang 186-216; 227-239.
In the other semifinals, Syafiq had to draw into his reserved to defeat fourth seed Kelvin Keong 224-188; 184-202; 243-200.
In the Ladies semifinals Li Jane who was the second seed had also to bowl a deciding game to defeat fourth seed Wendy Chai 236-203; 214-222; 237-189.
In the other semifinals, Fatin also had to go into the deciding game to defeat top seed Sharon Koh 173-168-; 260-212; 224-213.
For both Aaron and Li Jane, an individual title was long over due – two years to be exact.
Aaron won his last title in 2008 at the World Youth championship in Orlando, USA, where he won the Masters and team title.
As for Li Jane, she last won in 2008 too at the 4th Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championship in Belfast, Ireland, where she won the singles and Masters title and the Milo Junior All-Stars title.
As for Li Jane, she last won in 2008 too at the 4th Commonwealth Tenpin Bowling Championship in Belfast, Ireland, where she won the singles and Masters title and the Milo Junior All-Stars title.
“I have been fed up of being just a team bowler and not being able to win an individual title since 2008. But more importantly, I wanted to really do well here and start my New Year on a good note, because I want to make the team for the Men's World Championship in Germany and Asian Games in China,” said Aaron of what motivated him to rise to the occasion.
“The competition in the national team is keen and if I was not going to win individual titles, then I could be facing the axe for these two important championships," said the 24-year-old lanky Aaron.
“I am glad that I have won the National title and hope that it is the beginning of better things for me this year."
Li Jane on the other hand, was simply overwhelmed by her victory.
“This is simply great. It has been a long time since I won and just want to cherish this moment,” said Li Jane who had qualified for the Masters last year too as the top seed, but lost in the semifinals.
“The win is even meaningful because I had to bowl against many top national bowlers and have made it to the top.
“However, I am not going to get carried away with this victory because the competition is very keen and anyone of the bowlers can win a title anytime.
“I just want to use this victory to boost my morale and work even harder to do well in other tournaments.”
Indeed the result was a surprise to many as many of the top national men and women bowlers dropped out in the process.
However, it is healthy for the sports, as everyone is kept on their toes and there is no room for complacency. Besides the emergence of new and young talent further is a plus point for the sports.
RESULTS:
Men:
Quarterfinals:
(1st Seed) Adrian Ang bt (8) Kang Bo Long – 215-180; 193-189
(1st Seed) Adrian Ang bt (8) Kang Bo Long – 215-180; 193-189
(2nd Seed) Mohd Syafiq Rahman bt (7) Muhd Nur Aiman 212-151; 202-173
(3rd Seed) Zulmazaran Zulkifli lost to (6) Aaron Kong 204-214; 180-269
(4th Seed) Mohammed Zaim lost to (5) Kelvin Keong 213-260;212-222
Semifinals:
(1st Seed) Adrian Ang lost to (6) Aaron Kong 186-216; 227-239
(2nd Seed) Mohd Syafiq Ridhwan beat (5) Kelvin Keong 224-188; 184-202; 243-200
Final:
(1st Seed) Mohd Syafiq Ridhwan lost to (6) Aaron Kong 165-204; 182-202
Champion: Aaron Kong (National Elite team – Penang)
Ladies:
Quarterfinals:
(1st Seed) Sharon Koh bt (8) Yap Wi Yin 289-191; 279-216
(2nd Seed) Sin Li Jane bt (7) Zatil Iman 185-162;195-180
(3rd Seed) Nur Syakirah Yeoh lost to (6) Fatin Syazliana 223-188; 189-224; 213-248
(4th Seed) Zandra Aziela lost to (5) Wendy Chai 191-203; 228-207; 200-204
Semifinals:
(1st Seed) Sharon Koh lost to (6) Fatin Syazliana 168-173; 260-212; 213-224
(2nd Seed) Sin Li Jane beat (4) Wendy Chai 236-203; 214-222; 237-189
Final:
(2nd Seed) Sin Li Jane beat (6) Fatin Syazliana 218-246; 229-207; 215-175
Champion: Sin Li Jane (National Back-up Elite – Perak)
All pictures for Interstate and National championship by Terence Yaw using Canon EOS 450D
All pictures for Interstate and National championship by Terence Yaw using Canon EOS 450D
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Patience pay dividends for Aris and Kar Yen
Patience and persistence was the key word in both the Boys and Girls Open Masters winners, Sarawak’s Aris Ardila Santosoh and Kuala Lumpur’s Hee Kar Yen.
Aris member of the national youth team, finally earned Sarawak’s first gold medal in the week after the State could only win four silvers and three bronze in the Interstate championship.
Aris’ winning effort saw him score 2675 over 12 games for an average of 222, while second placed, another national youth bowler, Mohd Haziq had a total of 2570, while Johor’s Chan Wei Seng and Sarawak’s Chong Jun Foo tied for third with their total of 2499 to finish.
For Kar Yen, it was her first individual title since she won the Malaysian Open youth title two years ago, which earned her place in the National Youth team.
Kar Yen won the title with a total score of 2632, while Negri Sembilan’s Hurul Ainul Abdul Razak was second with 2604, while Adlin Nadhirah also from Negri was placed third with her total of 2555.
As for Aris, who had won RM50,000 for his perfect game in the All-Stars International Junior championship last month, winning the gold medal yesterday was filled with mixed feelings for him.
“I am very glad that I finally have won Sarawak the elusive gold medal after a week’s competition,” said Aris.
“It is also great to have won finally in my fifth competition in a month,” said Aris who finished third in the All Stars Junior and then competed in the All Star Classics, Penang Pesta and the Interstate.
In the Interstate, Aris won silver in the doubles.
“But at the same time I am sad that I had failed to make the cut for the Men Open in the national championship. I wanted so much to make the cut and bowl against all the elite bowlers, for it will be a valuable experience for me and to gauge where I stand against them.
“I suppose I will just have to wait for another opportunity,” said Aris who has a bright chance of a promotion from the national-youth squad to the back-up squad.
On his performance yesterday, Aris thanked national bowler, Zulmazran Zuliklfi who guided him and gave him moral support.
Kar Yen on the other hand, was simply delighted with her victory because it ended a two-year wait.
“When I joined the National Youth team after my Malaysian Open Youth category victory, I changed my game in many ways to bowl better under coach Allan Chia,” said Kar Yen who will turn 19 on Oct 4.
“Many things were new to me and it took time for me to readjust. Sometime, it got frustrating not being able to win anything, but I persisted to train even harder.
“I am glad that finally all my hardwork has paid dividends after some many close calls,” said the Pre-University student of Bukit Jalil Sports School.
Kar Yen now hopes to win an international title if she gets an opportunity to compete.
Meanwhile, Selangor’s 15-year Muhamad Aizudeen Mustaqim who had failed to win any medals in the Interstate and then failed to make the Youth Masters, decided to bowl in the Men’s Graded Masters and won it.
He had 2157 to beat Negri Sembilan’s Noor Afizal Azizan who had 2143 and former national bowler from Selangor, Azidi Ameran who had a total of 2113.
In the Ladies Graded, Kuala Lumpur’s Nur UmirahAbdul Raduan who won the Interstate Girls doubles and silver in the All-events, went win her second gold medal this week with her 2130 score.
Selangor’s Natasha Roslan finished second with her total of 2038, while KL’s Sukma trainee, Yap Wi Yin, was third with 2000.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Shahidan has every right to question!
This time around, I have to agree with multi-sports associations' president, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
He has taken the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the government, for having announced that a RM10 million grant will be given to the soccer development fund.
The fund was set up following the national Under-23 soccer team's Sea Games achievement in Laos, after a 20 years drought.
Shahidan, who is the president of the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) and the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU), saw the two sports contribute 21 of the 40 gold medals won at the Laos Sea Games.
ASUM contributed 15 gold medals - nine in swimming and six from diving, MAAU had six gold medals to their name.
Shahidan's question is simple: "If soccer for one gold medal were given RM10 million, what about swimming and athletics?"(Read the Bernama report here)
After swimming's feat in Laos, it was said that Sabah will be made the centre of excellence for swimming, but one wonders what is happening to that? Why no announcements?
But Shahidan should not be surprised.
When the very grassroots development at the schools is overlooked, did he think that they will make the right decisions to promote sports in the country to make Malaysia a sporting nation which everyone is talking about?
The Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) who organise 24 national events saw their annual budget cut from RM 6 million to RM1.5 million and will see only 13 sports organised this year, with several having to forgo the Under-15 championship.
But no effort is being made to look for additional funds to top up the MSSM kitty, but RM10 million for the development of one sports super cedes the development of 24 sports.
It is learnt that the Sports, Arts and Co-curriculum department in the Education Ministry is calling for a meeting of all National Sports Associations of the 24 sports organised by MSSM on Tuesday.
However, it was stated clearly that only 13 sports will be organised by MSSM.
So why are all the NSAs being called?
The word is that they are hoping that the NSAs will organise the sports which have been dropped.
Good move and engaging the NSAs should have been done longtime ago.
At times when several NSAs attempted to work hand-in-hand with MSSM, there were many restrictions imposed on them, that they decided to stay out.
Now that MSSM is in trouble, it looks like MSSM is turning to the NSAs.
But my questions is how many NSAs have the means and are capable enough to take on another responsibility.
However it must be said that there are some associations who are more than capable on taking on the responsibilities, while some already have been working closely with the schools and these are the associations who have excellent development programmes in place and are the ones who are excellent at both junior and senior level.
But then again, there are many NSAs who do not even have their own house in order.
But for the sake of sports, maybe even these NSAs who are having troubles of their own, should this time around, move into the schools, to start afresh from the grassroots to give it a grand kick start.
It will be interesting to see the outcome of the meeting on Tuesday and what part Malaysian schools sports take.
Here's hoping that commonsense will prevail among all and GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT will be the WINNER for the future of Malaysian sports!
He has taken the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the government, for having announced that a RM10 million grant will be given to the soccer development fund.
The fund was set up following the national Under-23 soccer team's Sea Games achievement in Laos, after a 20 years drought.
Shahidan, who is the president of the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) and the Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU), saw the two sports contribute 21 of the 40 gold medals won at the Laos Sea Games.
ASUM contributed 15 gold medals - nine in swimming and six from diving, MAAU had six gold medals to their name.
Shahidan's question is simple: "If soccer for one gold medal were given RM10 million, what about swimming and athletics?"(Read the Bernama report here)
After swimming's feat in Laos, it was said that Sabah will be made the centre of excellence for swimming, but one wonders what is happening to that? Why no announcements?
But Shahidan should not be surprised.
When the very grassroots development at the schools is overlooked, did he think that they will make the right decisions to promote sports in the country to make Malaysia a sporting nation which everyone is talking about?
The Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) who organise 24 national events saw their annual budget cut from RM 6 million to RM1.5 million and will see only 13 sports organised this year, with several having to forgo the Under-15 championship.
But no effort is being made to look for additional funds to top up the MSSM kitty, but RM10 million for the development of one sports super cedes the development of 24 sports.
It is learnt that the Sports, Arts and Co-curriculum department in the Education Ministry is calling for a meeting of all National Sports Associations of the 24 sports organised by MSSM on Tuesday.
However, it was stated clearly that only 13 sports will be organised by MSSM.
So why are all the NSAs being called?
The word is that they are hoping that the NSAs will organise the sports which have been dropped.
Good move and engaging the NSAs should have been done longtime ago.
At times when several NSAs attempted to work hand-in-hand with MSSM, there were many restrictions imposed on them, that they decided to stay out.
Now that MSSM is in trouble, it looks like MSSM is turning to the NSAs.
But my questions is how many NSAs have the means and are capable enough to take on another responsibility.
However it must be said that there are some associations who are more than capable on taking on the responsibilities, while some already have been working closely with the schools and these are the associations who have excellent development programmes in place and are the ones who are excellent at both junior and senior level.
But then again, there are many NSAs who do not even have their own house in order.
But for the sake of sports, maybe even these NSAs who are having troubles of their own, should this time around, move into the schools, to start afresh from the grassroots to give it a grand kick start.
It will be interesting to see the outcome of the meeting on Tuesday and what part Malaysian schools sports take.
Here's hoping that commonsense will prevail among all and GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT will be the WINNER for the future of Malaysian sports!
Elena at her best for Malaysian Open
Malaysian tennis enthusiasts will get to see Russia
This will definitely be the case after Dementieva won the Medibank International Sydney 2010.
o Li Na (CHN) – China
o Sabine Lisicki (GER) – Champion of 2009 Charleston
o Jie Zheng (CHN) – Semifinalist 2008 Wimbledon
o Melinda Czink (HUN) - Champion 2009 Québec City (Challenge Bell
o Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) – Champion 2009 Birmingham
o Jelena Dokic (AUS) - Grand Slam QF at 2009 Australian Open
o Sania Mirza (IND
o Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN) - Champion 2009 Seoul (Hansol Korea
o Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) - Champion 2009 S-Hertogenbosch (Ordina Open)
Mr. Keld Kristiansen, Executive Chairman of Carbon Media Management Sdn Bhd, the organiser and promoter of the Malaysian Open 2010 said, “We would like to congratulate Elena on her second straight women’s title at the Medibank International. The preparations for the Malaysian Open 2010 are on schedule and I believe that all spectators and guests to the event will have an enjoyable experience which includes watching and meeting Elena and her fellow WTA Tour players.”
“We’re delighted that Elena is in such good form and we hope that Elena will continue like that during the Australian Open. We look forward to seeing her at the Malaysian Open next month”.
Diana waves her magic wand
The pins are falling as if Nur Diana Hussin has a magic wand to make it happen.
On Thursday, close to midnight, Kuala Lumpur’s Nur Diana, fired the first perfect game in both the Interstate and currently going on Malaysian National championship, in her Girls Open qualifying block for the Masters.
In the Interstate championship that ended on Wednesday, Nur Diana had bagged the three gold medals in the singles, doubles and All-events.
Although, Nur Diana, had already qualified for the Open Masters automatically as Girls Open All-Events, she had bowled in the qualifiers as part of her practice for the final today.
It was in her third game of the four games that she fired the magical 300. She earlier had lines of 239, 238 and after the 300, she probably was overwhelmed by the feat and fired a 191 in her final game for a 968 total and an average of 242. The total stands as the highest in the Girls Open qualifier.
“I am totally shocked to have fired the 300. It is my first 300 since I started bowling four years ago,” said a delighted Nur Diana who will turn 19 on Aug 22.
“It just all happened. I had strikes after strikes and the next thing I knew, I had achieved my career first 300,” said Nur Diana who won the Canon Legria FS200 Cam Recorder, which was the Perfect Game Award.
“I am still trying to bring myself to believe that I have fired a 300. This is all happening too fast. In the Interstate I won three gold medals and now the perfect game.”
Will Nur Diana make it a memorable outing by bagging the Girls Open Master title too today?
“The pressure is on me now, but I am just going to take one game at time and hope for the best. If I am in the race for the title, then it will be great. But I intend to be among the top finishers because my national youth place is at stake.”
Nur Diana explained that she had not been performing well last year as a National Youth squad member and she was on the chopping block for this year.
She had to perform in the Interstate to earn a place to play in the roll-off on tomorrow to try keeping her place for 2010.
“It was that prospect that saw me buck up and perform to keep my place. I am glad that I did well and hope I w. Another good performance tomorrow (today), will certainly put me in a good position and that’s what I intend to do,” said the college student of Advanced Management and Technology Centre (Pusat Technologi dan Urusan Lanjutan) in Shah Alam.
Nur Diana this morning will have for company in the race for the title, her fellow national youth teammates from last year, KL’s Hee Kar Yen, Sarawak’s Jacqueline Jenelee and Dayang Khairuniza, Perlis Hurul Ainul Abd Razak and Negri Sembilan’s Adlin Nadhirah.
She will also face competition from KL’s Radin Nur Najwa Arifah, who is currently leading in the qualifiers with her 911, as Nur Diana is an automatic qualifier.
Then there is Nurfidza Amran from Sarawak – the Girls Graded Masters runner-up - who is eighth placed in the 16 qualifiers.
An interesting battle is indeed on the cards this morning.
In the Boys Open Masters final, Sabah’s Mohammad Ozzer Othaman, who the doubles and All-events and a silver in the singles, will definitely start as favourite to wrest the title and put himself in line for a roll-off for a place in the National Youth squad.
He will have to contend for the title with last year’s National Youth bowlers like Syimir Abdul Razak, Khoo Beng Khai, Muhammad Amirrul Afif, Aris Ardila, Faliq Aimran and Jonathan Chan.
It is a tough field and with youngsters like Melaka’s Jason Syow and SportsExcel GP winner Chong Jun Foo all lined up, indications are that it will be an open race.
Haziq wins his first tournament
Kuala Lumpur’s Muhammad Haziq Izamudin, was on cloud nine after winning the 34th Malaysian National Championship Milo Boys Graded Masters final, as it was his first taste of victory.
Haziq, who only turns 16 on June 19, has been bowling for three years, had come close to victories twice last year in the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) national bowling championship when he finished fourth in the doubles and runner-up in the team event.
“This is simply great. I have never tasted victory before and it is a great feeling to have won today,” said the elated SMK Alam Megah Form Four student.
Haziq (second from left) bowled 2090 pinfalls with an average of 209 to win the title. Sarawak’s Daniel Tan (left) finished second 22 pins behind Haziq, Muhammad Faizal (second from right besides MTBC secretary-general Sidney Tung) finished third with 1911.
Haziq besides the Milo hamper and trophy, also picked up cash voucher of RM1,000 for his effort.
Haziq said he picked up the sports from his father and was sent for supervised coach under the Sunway Mega Lanes development programme under Ricky Un.
Melaka’s rising talent, Jason Syow, too had come from the same programme and coach.
“It was a little frustrating last year in the MSSM when I failed to win a event,” said the well built Haziq who stands 1.79kg in a frame of 90kg.
“But I did not lose hope because I was still new to the sports and persisted to train hard. I am glad that it finally paid off today.
“This win is indeed a morale booster for me to train even harder and win more championships. I do not want to be one tournament wonder,” said Haziq who had lines of 192, 289, 201, 154, 146, 163, 277, 232, 222,and 214.
Asked what did he do differently yesterday to win the title, he simply replied: “I did not do anything different. I was highly motivated by the presence of my whole family – my parents and my three siblings.
In the Girls Graded, Selangor’s Nurain Fatin Abdul Rashid (second from left), emerged as another new talent in the sports.
Nurain edged Sarawak’s Nurafidza Amran (left) by a mere nine pins with her total of 1964. Another Sarawakian, Dayang Aida (second from right), finished third with her 1879.
While Nurain who won RM1,000 cash voucher besides the Milo hamper and trophy was elated, for Nurafidza it was a case of being so close yet so far.
Nuradidza had finished third in the Girls Doubles and All-events and runners-up in the team event in the interstate championship.
Sarawak, who certainly are an emerging force in the sports had failed to win a gold medal and had to settle for four silvers and three bronze in the Interstate.
Nurain, the national youth bowler, on the other hand, who did not compete in the Interstate, won the gold medal in her first attempt.
Last year, the Form Five student of SM Sek 27 Shah Alam, had won two gold medals (singles and team) in the MSSM championship and three gold medals (singles, doubles and masters) in the Sukan Selangor.
Nurain who will be turning 17 on March 15, is currently in training with the Selangor Sukma team and hopes to make the team.
Nurain certainly has the talent and if she keeps up her good work and keeps her feet firm on the ground, we will definitely be hearing more of her.
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