Licence to protest! (25/01/1997 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 25/01/1997
Headline : Licence to protest!


THERE has been much hue and cry over the ruling allowing States to
register only 15 local players and three foreigners for the new M-League
season.
Strangely, before the decision was made, there were discussions,
explanations and agreement. Now there is confusion, misunderstanding and
protests.
All major matters on soccer are discussed before a decision is made but
often it's only when these decisions are implemented that the parties
concerned suddenly wake up and cry foul or express their dissatisfaction.
It happens because the wrong people are present at the wrong meetings.
Sometimes, the right people are there but do not take part in the
discussions or go along with the majority.
Now, there is the issue of local coaches needing the FA of Malaysia A
licence to coach M-League teams.
Perak's Khaidir Buyong is upset the FA of Malaysia do not recognise his
German A licence while not requiring foreign coaches working in Malaysia
to have the FAM A licence.
There is a Malaysian Football Coaches Association (MFCA) and if there
was any disagreement on the matter it should have come through them.
The fact that even MFCA president Chow Kwai Lam and his deputy
president, M. Karathu - German and England coaching licence holders
respectively - attended the A Licence course to qualify themselves,
underlines that an agreement had been reached.
They both hold the FAM advanced coaching certificate, which was earlier
the highest coaching certificate in Malaysia.
Other German trained coaches like Abdullah Mohamad and Abdul Rahman also
attended the course which was reduced to merely a refresher course in
recognition of their contributions.
Khaidir was supposed to have attended a similar course on Jan 3 but did
not because he was out of the country scouting for players for Perak.
The German A licence is conducted by the German FA together with the
German government once in four years for English speaking coaches and
French speaking coaches from developing nations.
This course and the licence is certainly not the same German A licence
given to their own coaches, which is very much more intensive.
Foreign coaches are not required to have the FAM A licence because it
would be ridiculous for FAM to pass judgment on their coaching
certificates.
Even then, FAM insist State FAs hiring foreign coaches submit the
relevant coaching certificates to them.
The younger breed of Malaysian coaches should take the cue from former
national player Lim Teong Kim who is doing a coaching course in Germany on
his own. He hopes to graduate with a diploma from the Coaching School of
Hennef.
He has been there for almost two years and has attained the B Licence.
He is coaching the Bayern Munich second team for a year as part of the
requirement for testing for the A licence.
It is only after passing the A licence can he apply to join the School
of Hennef which is a six-month course and which will cost him about
RM15,000.
Teong Kim set a record of sorts by playing professional soccer in
Germany in 1987 with Herta Berlin FC. He could well be the first Malaysian
to coach overseas.

Ignorance is not bliss (18/01/1997 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 18/01/1997
Headline : Ignorance is not bliss


MALAYSIAN soccer went semi-professional in 1989 and professional in 1995
but the workings of the business is still a mystery to many officials.
The basic thinking is still amateurish with only a handful of
professionals involved in the various aspects of the game like
sponsorship, marketing, finance, administration and management.
Every season we hear of wrangles between States over players, players
not knowing how to sign with a new team, officials not knowing proper
procedures for signing new players or even retaining their players.
There are even players without a copy of their contract and players who
even have no idea of the contents of their contract.
Players still sign blank contracts or contracts written out in pencil.
This is the result of ill-prepared or incompetent amateurs trying to do
the work of professionals.
State FAs wait till the very last minute before negotiating with their
existing players and when some other State decide to sign them on, they
make a big fuss and lay claim to the players.
The rule clearly states that a player can start negotiating with another
team three months before his contract expires.
He can sign a letter of intent to join a new team but can only sign the
actual contract after his existing contract expires.
Teams intending to sign players from other States are required to inform
the players' team of their intention.
But all these are either ignored or when done, another State cries foul
because they themselves do not know the procedures.
The players are to be blamed to a certain degree for the mess because
they are ignorant of their rights or the procedures regarding change of
teams.
And some players try to increase their their salaries at the end of the
season by offering themselves to just about every team in the League.
After a pay hike, they turn their backs on the teams they had negotiated
with.

Problems
Matters get complicated when players blindly sign letters of intent just
to see what they are offered.
Some State FAs, in an attempt to secure certain players, offer
ridiculously high wages and create a false salary structure, despite FAM's
guidelines on salaries.
Some States go a step further by sticking to the FAM guideline but
making undisclosed payments to players.
Some States are known to sign on players at a huge price but without the
means to meet the financial commitment.
Little wonder that States have problems paying the monthly wages of
players.
Some States abuse the players by paying at their discretion.
Players who have more than a year's contract left often do not get wages
during the pre-season or their wage is cut drastically.
State FAs forget that soccer is the sole means of income for most of the
players and problems - personal and professional - arise when they are not
paid on time.
Soccer bribery has been blamed on poor salary payments by some States
and these States have to take some of the blame.
FAM have proposed the game be corporatised at the State level but are
the State FAs ready for it?
What we need is a total revamp of the administration of State FAs to
allow professionals to do the day to day running of the associations.
And influential amateurs must never be allowed to tell the professionals
how to do their jobs or meddle with their work.
In many teams, top professional coaches are hired but they don't select
the players or run the team the way they see fit.
But it must be said that several State FAs are being managed well and
professionally and they are easy to spot.
These are the States occupying the upper rungs in the League.

Q-League (The Malay Mail)

THE M-League this year could see some quality foreign players in action
and several of them could come from South America and Africa.
Selangor have started the ball rolling with quality signings in Tony
Cottee and South African international Christopher Zwane Mandla.
Negri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur and Kelantan are looking into possibilites
of signing on players from Peru, South Africa, Zaire and Argentina.
The players sought are mostly current full or Under-23 internationals
who have played with top clubs.
And the man who is making these players available is former Argentine
international, Rene Houseman.
Houseman, who played 79 matches for Argentina and scored 27 goals, was
the fast winger who was voted Footballer of the Year in 1977 in Argentina
and South America.
He also played in the 1974 World Cup and was in the winning team of the
1978 World Cup.
Houseman manages about 37 players in Europe and has 100 players under
his wing playing all over the world.
But this is the first time Houseman is trying to get some of his clients
to play in these parts of the world with the hope of moving on to Japan.
Selangor's signing, Mandla, is one of Houseman's players. Houseman
discovered Mandla as a schoolboy in Soweto High School in 1993.
Among the players under Houseman's management who could grace the
Malaysian League is 20-year-old Jorge Eduardo Ramirez.
Ramirez, was the target of Sarawak's Alan Vest and is still on his list
although Billy Bond has been said to be their third foreigner.
The reason Vest hesistated to sign on Ramirez is because he could not
fit into his budget.
Vest said although Bond will be in Kuching next month for final trials,
he is still keeping his mind open on Ramirez and hopes to get some
additional funds to secure him.
The players Houseman has to offer may be a little expensive, especially
their transfer or loan fees, but they are quality players.
Ramirez is a Peruian international striker who was voted the Footballer
of the Year for 1995-96 by the press in Peru.
He has already got an offer from Leeds United and several other leading
clubs.
Others players available include Waldir Alejandro Saenz, a 22-year-old
Peruvian striker who has won the Golden Boot award for South America on
three occasions (1993, 1995 and 1996).
He is considered one of the best and fastest wingers in South America
and is a natural left footer.
Left midfielder German Ernesto Pinillos is another Peruian international
with 16 caps and four goals to his credit.
He has also capped nine times with the Under-23 team which he captained.
He was voted the Best Midfielder in the country in 1994.
Another notable player who is a big name in South Africa is Theophilus
Khumalo, whose nickname is The Doctor.
Khumalo, 27, is the star of the South African team and has capped 32
times and scored 11 goals till September 1996.
He was voted to the African Nations Cup XI All Star team last year by
the press.
Khumalo is a well known player on and off the field. He has made over 10
TV commercials and has his own line of shoes with Puma - the Khumalo 16 V.
Bunene Ngaduano is a 23-year-old Zairean international striker who has
played 14 times for his country and scored nine times.
He has also played six times for the Under-23 team and scored eight
goals. He played in South Africa for Qwa Qwa Stars before being loaned to
Ankaraguyu FC in Turkey.
Then, there is Argentinian attacking midfielder, Cesar Martinez who made
25 appearances for the Argentine Under-20 and Under-23 teams.
Martinez used to play for Div 1 Quilmes FC in Argentina before being
loaned to Nacional de Montevideo FC in Uruguay.
He has been playing for Aucas FC in Ecuador since 1995 and was voted the
Footballer of the Year in Ecuador.
A natural left footed player with great vision and skills, Martinez is
said to have a knack for scoring goals from freekicks.
If Negri, KL or Kelantan actually go ahead to sign some of these
players, it will indeed add quality to the League.
Houseman said in Buenos Aires: "These players are quality players and I
personally guarantee their ability. They are top professionals.
"All of them are internationals who are looking to play in a different
League. They hope to play in the J-League eventually and intend to use the
M-League as a stepping stone," said Houseman.

Simply delighted (The Malay Mail)

I WAS just informed this evening (yesterday) that I am Selangor's coach
for the new season and I am delighted.
 It has been a long wait for the final appointment but is indeed worth
it.
 I was indeed looking forward to coaching a team like Selangor, who are
certainly a big club in Malaysia and with teremendous potential to become
one of the best in the region.
 I am indeed grateful to the Selangor management team who have placed
their faith and confidence in me and it is now my duty to repay their
faith.
 I intend to work very hard to ensure Selangor, who have a great
following, become a better a team.
 However, I don't intend to set targets because that will only put
pressure on the team and me.
 Besides, as the best team in Malaysia, there is already enough pressure
to ward off the desire of others teams to topple us.
 Then, as Malaysia Cup champions, every team will be going for our scalp.
 I expect a tough season ahead, especially with the general standard of
the game in Malaysia improving with each passing year.
 It is best to take each match or competition as it comes.
 However, after watching the Malaysia Cup final on Dec 28 at Shah Alam, I
intend to see Selangor play many, many more matches under the same
competitive atmosphere.
 I see great potential in Selangor and I am honoured to be given an
opportunity to work with the best team in the country.
 Selangor have a great following and I certainly don't want to disappoint
the fans.
 We will all have to work as a team - from the players, officials,
coaches to the fans.
 What I saw of Selangor in the Malaysia Cup final has certainly given me
great confidence that this team is destined for many more good things.
 In that Cup final, the Selangor went all out but were quite unlucky.
 But they did not allow that to destroy their hopes and worked hard for
glory.
 I believe although sometimes luck may not be on one's side, it can
always be turned around with determination and hardwork.
 That Selangor certainly did on Cup final night and that is a quality I
look for in a team.
 I believe the players and I will have a good working relationship.
 Selangor have many talented and calibre players and my challenge is to
come up with a good system to utilise that asset to the fullest.
 Tony Cottee is a prized possession of the team and I am glad to have him
with us.
 I have played against him many times and he is indeed a great player.
 He can be marked out of a match for 89 minutes but one moment of
brilliance is all he needs to score.
 He is very dangerous in the 18-yard box and our opponents are indeed
going to have problems handling him.
 But Cottee is also human.
 He needs time to settle in with the team and I hope the fans will give
him the time and be patient with him.
 I can't wait to see more nights like the Dec 28 night and I believe,
together we can make it happen.

THE STEVE WICKS FILE

PERSONAL
 Name: Stephen John Wicks.
 Date of Birth: 13 October 1956.
 Nationality: English.
 Marital Status: Married.
 Children: Three Boys aged 17, 13 and 1 1/2 years. One Girl aged 3.

PLAYING CAREER
 Chelsea FC: 1971-75 and 1986-88 - 324 League Games.
 Derby County: 1975-76 - 46 League Games.
 QPR: 1976-79: 1980-86 - 257 League Games.
 Crystal Palace: 1979-80 - 31 League Games.

HONOURS
 England Team - 2 full Caps, 4 B Caps.
 1975 - Winners Medal, European Youth Championships.
 1979 - Winners Medal, European Under-21 Championship.
 1982 - Spain World Cup (England Squad).
      - Mexico 1986.
 1975 - English Div 1 Championships with Chelsea FC.
 1981 - English FA Cup Runnersup with QPR.
 1982 - English Div 1 Champions with QPR.
 1986 - English League Cup Runnersup with QPR.

COACHING CAREER
 1989-92 - Asst Manager, Portsmouth FC.
 1992-94 - Manager of Scaborough FC.
 1994- Manager of Lincoln City.
 1995- Chief Scout of Newcastle United.
 1996- Coach, Woodlands Wellington FC, Singapore.
                                (END)

Bound for glory (The Malay Mail)

HOW James Wong wished he was born at the right time seeing his State of
Sabah going great guns.
 The passion for the game is still burning strongly in the former
international striker as Sabah captured the M-League title and reached the
Malaysia Cup final this season.
 James wished he could have been younger to lend his much-feared feet to
the Rhinos, who will take on Selangor in the Malaysia Cup final tomorrow.
 James said: "It is indeed a great achievement for Sabah soccer to be in
the Malaysia Cup final for the first time ever.
 "For Sabah soccer-loving fans, there never has been a greater moment
than now.
 "I wish I was part of the team, because it is the dream of any soccer
player in the country to play in the Malaysia Cup final."
 However, James said he too had his great moments. "Although I did not
play in a Malaysia Cup final, I certainly came close to it in 1979
(Stanley Chew was coach) when we qualified for the semifinals but lost to
Selangor."
 James, who now manages a band comprising his brothers (who also played
for Sabah), added: "Maybe this time around, Sabah will make amends for
that disappointment faced by Sabah fans 17 years ago."
 James believes that the Rhinos are capable of wresting the Malaysia Cup
from Selangor though it will be played at Shah Alam.
 "In a Cup final, there are no real favourites. It is always close and
the team that make the least mistakes will have the edge," he said.
 "Sabah have already bagged the League title and I see no reason why we
cannot lift the Malaysia Cup too.
 "Of course, Selangor have more depth and experience, but that does not
mean Sabah are not able to match them.
 "I see the match as a battle between the rookies of Sabah and Selangor's
experience and depth.
 "Sabah players may be inexperienced but they are fighters and equally
determined to taste glory.
 "Maybe Sabah's hunger to taste glory will see us emerge victors after
all.
 "I wish Sabah all the best and I am sure they will do East Malaysia
proud - win or lose," added James.
                                (END)

Xmas wish! (The Malay Mail)

MICHELLE Ollerenshaw has an Xmas wish: A Malaysia Cup winner's medal for
husband Scott come Saturday.
 Sabahan Michelle, a former national karate champion who married the
Aussie hotshot on April 8, said:
 "My wish for Christmas is for Scott to get a winner's medal to cap a
great season.
 "I want Sabah to beat Selangor and lift the Malaysia Cup."
 Sabah, the League champions, are in line to create history by becoming
the first East Malaysian team to win the coveted Malaysia Cup at Shah Alam
on Saturday.
 Michelle has been a source of joy and support for Ollerenshaw.
 Being a top athlete herself, she understands the pressures a sportsman
faces and is always there for Ollerenshaw.
 "He has done rather well despite the pressure of not scoring in eight
matches at the start of the season.
 "I urged him to do his best and not get too anxious. It obviously worked
as he has emerged the top scorer in the League for the second consecutive
season," said Michelle.
 Ollerenshaw hit 25 goals for the Rhinos in his first season in 1994 but
missed out on the Golden Boot award as Kelantan's Hashim Mustapha went two
better with 27.
 Last year, Ollerenshaw not only bagged the Golden Boot with 22 League
goals, but was also named the Most Valuable Player at the SAM/FAM Glamoir
World of Sports Annual awards.
 This year, Ollerenshaw emerged the top scorer again with 18 goals in the
League. He has also bagged eight goals in the Malaysia Cup and one in the
FA Cup.
 Ollerenshaw is undoubtedly the most successful foreign player to grace
Malaysian soccer.
 His record speaks for itself. He has a FA Cup winner's medal, a League
champion's medal and won the Golden Boot twice in three seasons.
 "I look after him well," said Michelle, laughing.
 "There were suggestions earlier when the goals dried up that marriage
had affected his performance. But he has proven it otherwise. In fact, I
think marriage has done him a world of good."
 Michelle will be at Shah Alam Stadium shouting herself hoarse with the
other Sabah fans on Saturday.
 "Many think Sabah are at a disadvantage playing at Shah Alam. But it's a
Cup final and everything is equal.
 "It would be great if Scott scores and Sabah win. It would be the best
Christmas gift I've ever had," said Michelle.
                             (END)

Rise and fall of three godfathers

AS 1996 draws to an end, it will be a year remembered in soccer where
three godfathers of the game had their curtains drawn on them in their
respective States.
Or at least two have been unceremoniously booted out of their
associations while the other is very likely to suffer the same fate.
The three are former Kuala Lumpur FA president Tan Sri Elyas Omar,
former Johor FA deputy president Datuk Suleiman Mohamed Noor and Kedah FA
deputy president Datuk Ahmad Basri Mohamad Akil.
Elyas and Suleiman are no longer with their respective FAs and Basri is
on the verge of leaving the association.
Without doubt, all three have done a great deal for their State FAs and
the rise of soccer in their respective States.
It is through their time, dedication, vision and love for the game that
their respective States have hogged the limelight in Malaysian soccer.
But sadly, Elyas and Suleiman, were dumped after they lost their
influence as they no longer held Government posts.
What they had done over the years, was fast forgotten and they were made
scapegoats for the decline in recent years and the associations' poor
financial standings.
No doubt, the associations probably needed someone more influential.
Elyas and Suleiman, with all their experience and contacts, could have
still been useful to them and in different areas.
Instead, they became victims of the winds of change and politicking
within the associations.
The fact that Elyas is still the vice-president of the FA of Malaysia
and the Project manager of the 1997 Youth World Cup team only speaks
volumes of his clout and capabilities.
Though Suleiman may be out of the mainstream when it comes to soccer,
his years of experience could still be utilised.
A council member of the Johor FA, who declined to be named, said:
"Suleiman, despite all his faults, still delivered and did his job to the
best of his abilities.
"There were times when he was like a dictator, but he meant well and had
the interest of the game at heart.
"When he was around, there was not a time when the players or coaches
had problems with their salaries being delayed.
"After all is said and done, Datuk Suleiman's contributions to Johor
soccer have to be acknowledged."
Many KL fans echoed a similar opinion of Elyas.
"For what he did to KL soccer, he did not deserve to be treated that
way," said an ardent KL soccer follower.
"If not for Elyas, KL would have just been whipping boys. He transformed
the City team with his professionalism and vision for the game.
"In the end, he had served his usefulness and was discarded."
Basri is also facing the same problems with moves to oust him. He has
clearly indicated that he will not be around, if his services are not
required.
But it will be a pity, because he was the man who turned Kedah soccer
around and saw them become a powerhorse.
However, all his contributions, dedication and vision have suddenly been
forgotten, especially since he has recently retired from his Government
post.
But at the national level, Basri's vision and ideas are still very much
sought by the FA of Malaysia.
It is indeed sad to see people like Elyas, Suleiman and Basri being
treated shabbily, after all they have put in the game.
Of course, fresh blood, younger officials and ideas are needed, but at
the same time, it is also wrong to discard experience with a stroke of the
wand.
The changing of guard is a normal process of a cycle, but it must be
done with grace and tact.
Though the States may have had enough of the trio, they are still useful
at national level and should be given the task of putting Malaysia on the
world map as a strong soccer nation.