MM back in the hunt (The Malay Mail)

KUALA LUMPUR MALAY MAIL bounced back in the running for a semifinal berth
in the FAM Cup after snapping Kedah PKNK's three-match unbeaten record
with a 2-1 win in Alor Star last Monday.
 And with Negri Sembilan BSN's shock 4-2 defeat by Kelantan JKR at home,
Group B has  been thrown wide open in the tussle for a semifinal berth.
 Coupled with a pending decision by the FA of Malaysia competitions
committee on PKNK fielding a player who had turned out for Police this
season in the M-League's Premier Two competition, further changes are on
the cards.
 Competition rules state that players can only turn out for one team at
national level in a season.
 PKNK were said to have fielded the said player in the opening match
against Malay Mail and the FA of Malaysia are expected to announce their
decision on the matter soon.
 In that match, PKNK held Malay Mail to a 0-0 draw at the KLFA Stadium.
 For Malay Mail, their saviour last Monday was last season's KL M-League
midfielder S. Saravanan who scored both goals in the first half.
 Saravanan certainly lifted the spirits of his teammates because they had
problems finding the net in their last three matches.
 On the other hand, BSN - who were supposed to have been the main
contenders for a semifinal berth - seem to have suddenly lost steam.
 Even coach Param Sivam could not explain his team's sudden drop in form.
 Their loss to Kelantan JKR was their second straight defeat after having
earlier been beaten by Kedah PKNK.
 While BSN's drop in form is a surprise, Kelantan JKR have emerged as
surprise contenders for a semifinal spot from Group B.
 In Group A, Malacca Telekom suffered a shock defeat at the hands of
Kelantan TNB, losing 2-1 in Kota Baru. However,  this is not expected to
affect their chances for a semifinal berth as they have already collected
nine points from three consecutive wins.
 Issac Kuffor, Telekom's ace striker from Ghana, continued his scoring
ways when he netted a goal to bring his personal tally to 18 goals in 17
matches.
 The win has boosted TNB's confidence to secure a semifinal berth.
 But they will face a tough challenge from Terengganu Perkasa Alam, who
are also going great guns with just a loss to Telekom.
 Sabah's Gunosukod Pangaits, in a turnaround performance from their good
run in the first round, have yet to win any of their last four matches.
 Their problem started with the explusion of their three foreign players
and the team have never been the same since.
 The fight for a semifinal berth from this group is definitely among
Telekom, Perkasa Alam and TNB.
 The competition takes a break for the Commonwealth Games and will resume
on Oct 5.

RESULTS
GROUP A
Kelantan TNB  2  M'cca Telekom  2
T'ggu P Alam  3  Sabah G'kod    0
GROUP B
Kedah PKNK    1  KL Malay Mail  2
NS BSN        2 Kelantan JKR    4
                           (END)

Best foot forward (The Malay Mail)

THE Malaysian Commonwealth Games contingent were treated to the lighter
side of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Universiti
Tenaga Nasional (Uniten) yesterday afternoon.
 Anwar laced his speech with humour but drove home the point that the
nation comes first. And that the athletes will have to put their best foot
forward.
 Anwar was accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Also present were Sports Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, chef-de-
mission Datuk Khalid Yunus, Olympic Council of Malaysia vice-president
Datuk Alex Lee and TNB executive chairman Datuk Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali.
 Anwar did not waste anytime getting into the groove of things.
 When the motivational song Barisan Kita was sung, Anwar couldn't resist
joining the athletes and officials.
 Anwar said later that his spirits soared when he heard the song.
 He explained: "It was the theme song when I was in Universiti Malaya.
Whenever we staged rallies to protest against issues, we would sing this
song.
 "At that time, every undergraduate knew the song which signifies a
struggle.
 "The song instils fighting spirit in those who listen and sing it."
 Anwar advised the athletes to be resilient. He reminded them to use the
opportunities provided so that the country would prosper.
 "Nobody will be faulted for not winning because winning and losing are
part and parcel of sports. But what we won't and cannot accept and forgive
are those who concede defeat even before the competition begins," he said.
 Anwar said since the Games have attracted the attention of the world,
the athletes should give their best so that a Malaysian winner would
emerge every day.
 He also said that he had actually come prepared to train with some of
athletes. Hence, he had come attired in track suit, as was his wife.
 "But when I saw the Sports Minister in tie, I knew it was not going to
be.
 "I have my views on sports and I'm proud to say that I had been an
active sportsman.
 "Perhaps, with the exception of fencing, swimming and boxing, I should
be able to compete in all the other sports.
 "At times I regret not having taken up boxing because I could have used
that skill on others.
 "I still keep active and that's the secret for my youth. It helps that I
have a young wife too," added Anwar, to the amusement of those present.
 Anwar presented incentive awards to several outstanding athletes,
including bowling sensation, Shalin Zulkifli, and squash ace, Ong Beng
Hee.
 Shalin was the biggest winner, collecting RM124,500 for two golds and
two bronze medals at the recent FIQ World Youth Championship in South
Korea.
 Beng Hee received RM52,000 for being crowned world junior champion in
New Jersey, USA, recently.
 Anwar was presented with a pair of Malaysia's official track suit for
the Games on Sept 11-21.
 During the presentations, Anwar spoke with some of the recipients. When
sprinter Watson Nyambek came forward, Anwar held his hand up high to the
cheers of the other athletes.
 He also felt weighlifter Muhammad Hidayat Hamidon Arbi's well-toned
forearms and biceps.
 After the ceremony, Anwar mingled with the athletes while cameras
clicked away.
 During high tea, he sat with Watson, Hidayat, Zaki Sardi and Beng Hee.
                               (END)

All for the nation (22/07/1998 - The Malay Mail)

Publication : MM
Date : 22/07/1998
Headline : All for the nation


WITH 51 days left for the Commonwealth Games, it is about time everyone
involved pay heed to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad's
call to work as one.
Dr Mahathir made the call when opening the National Sports Complex in
Bukit Jalil a fortnight ago, but judging from the developments since, not
many are taking his call seriously.
The Pre-Games held as a test run have revealed that there are many
things that need to be attended to, to ensure the Games go on smoothly.
The main problem are the several associations that are trying to impress
instead of getting on with the job of organisation.
Sukom Ninety Eight Bhd, Minsitry of Sports, National Sports Council,
Olympic Council of Malaysia, national sports associations, athletes,
volunteers and even the public have a role to play, and they have to work
as one to ensure success of the Games.
A lot of time, money, planning and effort has been put in since winning
the bid in 1992 to host the Games.
We have constructed some of the best sporting facilities in the world.
About 6,000 athletes and 70,000 visitors from 68 countries are expected
for the Games and we certainly need to put our best foot forward and not
allow the Games to be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
To make matters worse, we have associations still bickering over the
selection of athletes and making a mockery of sports.
We certainly do not need the bad publicity with the Games round the
corner.
If we cannot get our house in order, how are we going to play host to
the several thousands of visitors expected to arrive for the Games?
And the last thing we need is to wash dirty linen in public.
More often than not, we have been critical of flaws in organisation of
major events by other countries, and now we will be judged.
This is a Malaysian affair and everyone involved should work hand in
hand.
And there is nothing wrong in admitting mistakes just to have it
rectified.
Although Sukom chief operating officer Lt Gen (R) Datuk Seri Abdul Manap
Ibrahim said that the pre-Games was a success, he did admit that there
were problems.
Although Manap declined to go into details or reveal the problems, he
did admit that the main problem was that volunteers were not familar with
the new facilities.
The last thing we need is our own personnel being in the dark when we
are supposed to be guiding visitors to ensure that everything runs
smoothly.
Manap said that the problem was rectified while a debriefing will be
held to uncover any other problems encountered.
At this point, time is not on our side.
Whatever needs to be rectified, needs to be done immediately and
effectively.
There needs to be co-ordination from all quarters and unless everyone
brings himself to the ground and work sincerely, we are bound to encounter
more problems as the Games draw even nearer.
It is hoped that everyone realises that the dignity of the country is at
stake here.
On Sept 21 when the Games comes to a close, it is hoped that Malaysia
will be on the lips of every visitor, be it an athlete or a tourist, that
we are ready to host even bigger events because otherwise all the
facilities built would have been just for an one off event - the
Commonwealth Games.
Lets us all join hands in the name of Malaysia and get our act right.

Dial Kuffour for goals (The Sunday Mail)

A 17-YEAR-OLD from Ghana is blasting a trail of goals in the FAM Cup
competition.
Issac Kuffour, the hired gun of Malacca Telekom, hit 17 goals in 16
matches in his first season last year.
Kuffor, who only turns 18 on Dec 30, is again in scorching form this
year, plundering 12 goals in seven matches so far.
And last Monday, Kuffor scored his first hattrick in his team's 9-2 win
over Selangor Wilayah Maju.
Surprisingly, none of the M-League teams have spotted this precocious
African talent though Kuffor has a desire to see M-League action.
Kuffor ended up signing with Malacca Telekom when a groin injury stopped
him from making the final squad of the Ghana Junior World Cup squad.
He had come here with the Ghanaian team to train for the Junior World
Cup which was hosted by Ma-laysia last year. The team's training stint
were sponsored by Telekom Ma-laysia.
Kuffour was among the Ghanaian squad of 25 players, of whom seven were
professionals based in Europe. The average-built striker, who stands at
1.78m and weighs 68kg, succumbed to injuries after the team's earlier
stints in Germany and Korea.
By the time Kuffor recovered, the final Ghanaian team for the Junior
World Cup had already been named. Team doctors then advised him to rest
for a month before playing competitively again.
The team officials from Malacca Telekom were impressed with Kuffour's
skills after watching him in training and invited  him to play for their
team against the Ghanaian youth team in a friendly at KLFA Stadium.
After the game, Malacca Telekom wasted no time in signing Kuffor, the
youngest in a family of seven.
"It is my ambition to play in the M-League," said Kuffour, who played
for Okwau United in Ghana before he was spotted for the Junior World Cup
squad.
"Do not get me wrong. I love playing for Malacca Telekom and they are a
great team. But I just want to play at a higher level.
"I hope to be noticed this year and fulfil my dream of playing in the M-
League. If I do not find a team, I am definitely heading for Europe," said
Kuffour, whose cousin Samuel Kuffour is a defender with Bayern Munich.
Indeed, Kuffour is M-League material and it goes to show that State
coaches would do well to spot talents, local and foreign, in the FAM Cup
League.
Apart from Malacca Telekom's other foreign signing in Oleg Burov,  the
other imports playing in the FAM Cup are Sabah Gunosukod Pangait's
Scottish defender Derek Wemyss, Brazilian  midfielder Edilson Cesar De
Araujo, French striker Joel Lahon, Kuala Lumpur Malay Mail's Australian
defender Taso Notaras, Wilayah Maju's Nigerian striker Mohamed Mohamed and
Terengganu Perkasa Alam's Ghanaian striker George Al Hassan Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, the top four teams in each group of the FAM Cup qualify for
the final round, where they will be divided into two sections and play a
two-round league of six matches each.
In Group A, Gunosukod and Negri Sembilan BSN have confirmed their berths
having gone unbeaten after seven matches. They have 19 points and another
three matches to complete their first round fixtures.
This leaves Kelantan JKR, Johor City Hall and Kedah PKNK in a tussle
for the other two berths.
In Group B, Malacca Telekom have secured a final round berth while the
fight for the other spots is keenly contested between Perkasa Alam, Kuala
Lumpur Malay Mail, Kelantan TNB and Kedah JKR.

Dial Kuffour for goals (The Sunday Mail)

A 17-YEAR-OLD from Ghana is blasting a trail of goals in the FAM Cup
competition.
 Issac Kuffour, the hired gun of Malacca Telekom, hit 17 goals in 16
matches in his first season last year.
 Kuffor, who only turns 18 on Dec 30, is again in scorching form this
year, plundering 12 goals in seven matches so far.
 And last Monday, Kuffor scored his first hattrick in his team's 9-2 win
over Selangor Wilayah Maju.
 Surprisingly, none of the M-League teams have spotted this precocious
African talent though Kuffor has a desire to see M-League action.
 Kuffor ended up signing with Malacca Telekom when a groin injury stopped
him from making the final squad of the Ghana Junior World Cup squad.
 He had come here with the Ghanaian team to train for the Junior World
Cup which was hosted by Ma-laysia last year. The team's training stint
were sponsored by Telekom Ma-laysia.
 Kuffour was among the Ghanaian squad of 25 players, of whom seven were
professionals based in Europe. The average-built striker, who stands at
1.78m and weighs 68kg, succumbed to injuries after the team's earlier
stints in Germany and Korea.
 By the time Kuffor recovered, the final Ghanaian team for the Junior
World Cup had already been named. Team doctors then advised him to rest
for a month before playing competitively again.
 The team officials from Malacca Telekom were impressed with Kuffour's
skills after watching him in training and invited  him to play for their
team against the Ghanaian youth team in a friendly at KLFA Stadium.
 After the game, Malacca Telekom wasted no time in signing Kuffor, the
youngest in a family of seven.
 "It is my ambition to play in the M-League," said Kuffour, who played
for Okwau United in Ghana before he was spotted for the Junior World Cup
squad.
 "Do not get me wrong. I love playing for Malacca Telekom and they are a
great team. But I just want to play at a higher level.
 "I hope to be noticed this year and fulfil my dream of playing in the M-
League. If I do not find a team, I am definitely heading for Europe," said
Kuffour, whose cousin Samuel Kuffour is a defender with Bayern Munich.
 Indeed, Kuffour is M-League material and it goes to show that State
coaches would do well to spot talents, local and foreign, in the FAM Cup
League.
 Apart from Malacca Telekom's other foreign signing in Oleg Burov,  the
other imports playing in the FAM Cup are Sabah Gunosukod Pangait's
Scottish defender Derek Wemyss, Brazilian  midfielder Edilson Cesar De
Araujo, French striker Joel Lahon, Kuala Lumpur Malay Mail's Australian
defender Taso Notaras, Wilayah Maju's Nigerian striker Mohamed Mohamed and
Terengganu Perkasa Alam's Ghanaian striker George Al Hassan Ibrahim.
 Meanwhile, the top four teams in each group of the FAM Cup qualify for
the final round, where they will be divided into two sections and play a
two-round league of six matches each.
 In Group A, Gunosukod and Negri Sembilan BSN have confirmed their berths
having gone unbeaten after seven matches. They have 19 points and another
three matches to complete their first round fixtures.
 This leaves Kelantan JKR, Johor City Hall and Kedah PKNK in a tussle
for the other two berths.
 In Group B, Malacca Telekom have secured a final round berth while the
fight for the other spots is keenly contested between Perkasa Alam, Kuala
Lumpur Malay Mail, Kelantan TNB and Kedah JKR.
 

You must be kidding (05/07/1998 - Sunday Mail)

Publication : SUM
Date : 05/07/1998
Headline : You must be kidding


BRAZIL have it. So do England and Germany. Virtually the whole world have
it.
But the way Malaysian soccer critics see it, we can live without it.
So, they slammed the FAM for trying to have a national team. As far, as
they are concerned, the national squad became ashes at the Jakarta SEA
Games last year. No resuscitation. No hope.
When FAM recently called up several l players from that failed `97 squad
to join forces with the Olympic 2000 in forming a new-look national team,
certain quarters were quick to take the national association to task.
But where in the world is there a country with no national team?
Sure, the FAM did announce the national team had been disbanded following
their dismal performances in the SEA Games where Malaysia even lost to
lowly Laos.
Yes, you can disband, disperse or dismantle the national side. But did
the FAM say they cannot reorganise, restructure or replant the national
team?
As the critics take it as dead and buried, do Malaysia have to live
forever without a national team?
Why do we have a M-League in the first place?
And if the top players from the M-League cannot play for the country,
then what is the purpose of the League?
The critics can argue that FAM have already decided to use Olympic 2000
as the new national team.
Come on, be realistic. A national team comprising 19-year-olds who are
now at the bottom of Premier One?
Maybe the critics are against some of the national players who have let
the country down. But what about those who played their hearts out but
happened to be in the same team in Jakarta?
And what about other young players who dazzle in the Premier League but
for state teams and not Olympic 2000?
Do the critics really believe that the present Olympic 2000 team can
stand in as the national team and move on to become the best in South-
east-Asia, let alone Asia?
Can they make the quantum leap from M-League strugglers to kingpins in
the region?
Look at Malaysia's 1-1 draw against China, a team who just missed out in
qualifying for the ongoing France World Cup, on Tuesday in a friendly
match.
Reinforced and stabilised by several experienced seniors, the Malaysian
side, comprising mostly Olympic 2000 players, held their own against the
formidable Chinese.
That surely would have boosted the confidence of the Olympic lads and
inspire them to play with renewed faith in themselves for the honours of
Malaysia.
Don't say China never tried hard. The Chinese team are known for their
national pride and patriotism and the last thing they wanted was to be
held by a Malaysian team playing with mostly youths.

Chance for clubs to strut their stuff (The Malay Mail)

WITH respects and recognition for club teams growing, the fifth edition of
the FAM Cup which kicks off tomorrow, takes on a new sheen of interest.
 The fact that club teams like Johor FC and Negri Sembilan Chempaka have
passed through the doors of the FAM Cup to battle state sides in Premier
Two reflect the status of the tournament.
 With four teams qualifying from the FAM Cup to the FA Cup competition,
that's further incentive.
 The FAM Cup is a platform for club teams to get a shot at professional
State teams. Notably, Johor FC and Chempaka are holding their own against
the states.
 While clubs like Maybank and Pahang LKPP, who competed in last year's
meet, withdrawn this year due to financial constraint, it's encouraging
that other clubs are enthusiastic.
 Six new teams who qualified from the qualifying tournament will join six
teams from last season for the FAM Cup challenge.
 The newcomers are Sabah Gunosukod Pangaits, Kedah Kota Setar Town
Council, Johor JB City Hall, Kelantan JKR, Selangor Wilayah Maju-KPSNS and
Terengganu Perkasa Alam.
 The teams from last season are Malacca Telekoms, Kuala Lumpur Malay
Mail, Negri Sembilan Bank Simpanan Nasional, Kelantan TNB, Kedah JKR and
Kedah PKNK.
 Telekoms, who emerged the 1996 FAM champions when they denied Johor FC a
hattrick, will start as favourites.
 Telekoms are among the few teams in the League who have recruited some
calibre players, both local and foreign, due to strong financial backing
from their management.
 A notable player in their team is Ghanian Isaac Kuffor who is in his
second season with the team. A member of Ghana's Junior World Cup squad
last year, he  scored 17 goals in last year's FAM Cup tournament.
 BSN are another team to watch out for as they have been impressive in
their friendly matches and that includes victories over Telekom and Malay
Mail.
 Former Armed Forces coach M. Paramasivam has been hired to guide them.
But  they are a strictly local outfit who have shown great potential to be
among the front runners.
 Malay Mail, in their second season, have also strengthened their team by
recruiting several former national and State players. Among them are S.
Balachandran (former KL and Sabah), T. Gopinath Naidu (former KL and
Perak), K. Viajantheran (former KL and Perak), S. Mathen, K. Hemadass, S.
Saravanan (all former KL), N. Suresh (former Perlis) and M. Pavalamani
(former KL, Sabah, Malacca and Terengganu).
 MM also have up and coming youngsters like Rakis Setia Khan, Mohamad
Imran Ahmad, Azizul Jamaluddin and Roshaidi Ramli while they rely only on
one foreigner, Australian Taso Notaras.
 Of the newcomers in the tournament, Sabah's Gunosukod Pangaits should be
a team to watch out for. With their declared aim of playing in Premier One
in the year 2000, Pangaits are serious about their campaign.
 They have three foreigners in Scottish defender Derek Wemyss, Brazilian
midfielder Edilson Cesar De Araujo and French striker Joel Lahon.
 Among the notable coaches involved in the tournament are Mosthakeen Omar
and P. Balakrishan for Kedah JKR and Kedah PKNK respectively.
 Others include Paramsivam (BSN), Salim Mahmud (Kelantan TNB), Radzali
Embi (Telekoms) and Marcellinus Bungkilan (Gunusukod).
 The clubs each get a RM30,000 subsidy from the FAM for the first round
of the League which involves 10 matches - five home and five away. But to
manage a  team for the period alone needs at least RM60,000.
 The top four teams from each Group of six will advance to the final
rounds where they will again be divided into two Groups and play another
six matches - three home and three away.
 The top two teams in each group will proceed to the semifinals which are
played on a home and away basis. The final is also played over two legs.
 For the final rounds, the clubs each get another RM20,000 from FAM.
 The champion of the tournament will earn RM50,000 while the runners-up
get RM25,000.

 PREVIOUS CHAMPIONS
 1994: Johor FC; 1995: Johor FC; 1996: Malacca Telekoms; 1997: Armed
Forces.
 GROUPINGS FOR 1998 SEASON
 GROUP A - SABAH Gunosukod Pangaits, KEDAH PKNK, KELANTAN JKR, KEDAH Kota
Setar Town Council, Johor JB City Hall and NEGRI SEMBILAN BSN.
 GROUP B - KL Malay Mail, MALACCA Telekoms, KEDAH JKR, KELANTAN TNB,
SELANGOR Wilayah Maju-KPSNS, TERENGGANU Perkasa Alam.
                              (END)