Stock taking time!

I suppose common sense prevailed in the end, when the incumbents were voted in at the biennial 28th Olympic Council of Malaysia general meeting at Wisma OCM this morning.

With Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar retaining the president's post after former Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim decided to withdraw from the contest (for the second consecutive BGM) on Friday evening, all eyes were on the battle for the deputy president's post where Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad challenged Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan.

As it turned out, it was a breeze for Jegathesan, as affiliates decided to stick with the incumbents for the day. (Refer to Bernama's coverage on the elections)
Congratulations to all the office bearers, but the endorsement by the affiliates does not necessarily mean that they happy with the ways things have been shaping up for the last two years.

OCM's 2009-2011 line-up: From left: Low Beng Choo, Moira Tan, Rosmanizam Abdullah,Roy Rajasingham, Dr M. Jegathesan, Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar, Prof W.Y. Chin, Ramlay Ibrahim, Sieh Kok Chi, Kee Yong Wee (not in pix: Abdullah Sani Karim and Prof Zakaria Ahmad)

The fact that there was challenge for all major posts, only meant that there were affiliates who wanted changes. And the elected officials must take the trouble to find out, what were the grievances of the affiliates for wanting to see changes in the OCM line up and work at it to win back their confidence.

OCM have often been criticised that they are only active when there are multi-sports Games at various levels. They have to change that tag.

In all fairness to OCM, they have been working to get closer to the affiliates by engaging them in seminars and surely there is more they can do.
Tunku Imran, after the elections,said that the OCM line-up must work hard especially in developing domestic sports, implementing the rating system for the National Sports Associations and developing the Sports Channel (Sports TV) for its affiliates. He said that the main purpose of setting up the Sports Channel is to provide better and wider coverage for sports activities by the affiliates.

A suggestion would be to get all the affiliates to meet the current OCM line-up, get their feedback and work on it. That way, there will be check-list to see if the officials have delivered.

The last thing the OCM lineup should do is rest on their laurels, but take the challenges they faced at the election as a wake-up call to do better for the next two years.

For those who failed win in the elections, they should not be bitter and undermine the efforts of the current lineup, but come forward to join hands and work together in whatever way they can in the best interest of Malaysian sports. And OCM, on the other hand, should not shut out these officials just because they challenged the incumbents.

The sporting spirit should prevail in the end and sports and the athletes should be the winners!



Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) line-up for 2009-2011:

President: Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja'afar (unopposed after Datuk Seri Shaidan Kassim withdrew)

Deputy president: Datuk Dr M Jegathesan (beat Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad 65-33)

Vice-presidents (four men and one women): Datuk Abdullah Sani Karim (95), Prof Datuk W.Y. China (89), Prof Zakaria Ahmad (79), Datuk Roy Rajasingham (70).
(M.P. Haridas - lost - 59 votes)
Low Beng Choo (unopposed as women VP)

Honorary secretary: Datuk Sieh kok Chi (unopposed)

Honorary assistant secretary (man): Ramlay Ibrahim (51) (Hisham Mohd Noor (23), L. Ramesh (18), Lawrence Yeow (3) - lost)

Honorary assistant secretary (woman): Moira tan Siew See (52)
Latifah Tan Sri Ya'cob (46) - lost)

Treasurer: Datuk Seri Kee Yong Wee (unopposed)

Assistant treasurer: Rosmanizam Abdullah (unopposed)

Indecisiveness!

FA of Malaysia competition committee’s decision to endorse the recommendation by the disciplinary board (DB) to revoke the suspension is yet another sign of weakness. Refer to this.

I sympathise with Kelantan with their financial woes owing to the ban, but there cannot be any compromise when it comes to security at football matches when it involves the lives of the public.

There are rules to be followed in sports, and when compromise is made, we are courting trouble.

The disciplinary board made a decision after studying the case carefully in the first instance, and they should have stuck with their decision. Otherwise, they should have considered all the consequences, and probably given a lighter sentence.

Of course, it is a right for anyone to appeal, but sometimes, one has to look at the severity of the case before succumbing to sympathy and emotions in altering decisions.

Indications are that the national soccer body has once again bowed down to pressure.

I just hope that no untoward incidents occur at the Mohamad IV Stadium in the remaining matches that cause the FA of Malaysia to regret their decision.

FA of Malaysia will have Kelantan first fulfill certain obligations before their next home match against UPB FC-MyTeam on June 16. It will be interesting to see what these obligations and how different is going to be from all the other teams who are required to meet security requirements.

Is FA of Malaysia continuing to bend backwards on their decisions, every time the affiliates appeal or come up with threats that they will be withdrawing from the League.?

Already, Kelantan could be courting trouble by giving their fans a treat, as Kafa plans to mark the re-opening of the stadium with a friendly against Premier League side Proton on June 5 and another against FA Cup champions Selangor on June 9 with entry being free for both matches!

How is Kafa going to have crowd control and adhere to capacity of the Stadium without selling tickets? At worst, Kafa should charge RM1, for accountability.

Kelantan maybe happy with the decision, but it is hoped that FA of Malaysia is not further embarrassed by their change of decisions.

The one year ban on Kelantan from playing at home was imposed due to an outbreak of violence outside the stadium after the FA Cup semi-final first leg between Kelantan and Negri Sembilan on Apr 7.

The current change in decision is the second time FAM has reversed itself in a case involving Kelantan.

FAM last month also cancelled its decision to award three points to KL Plus for the washed out opening Super League fixture against Kelantan in Kota Baru after finding the Sultan Mohamed IV Stadium pitch unsuitable for play.

Kelantan went on to win the re-scheduled fixture 1-0 at the National Stadium, their first win at their temporary home venue, last Tuesday.

In sports one sometimes have to be cruel to be kind.

History Repeats Itself

As I archived my sports columns from 1991 to 2006 into the blog for reference, I could not believe the number of columns that were still relevant. In fact, many of these columns, if reprinted now, will still gel with current issues.

It only underlined the fact that I have not missed much on the sports scene in the last three years I have not been writing. I was still very much in contact with sports during this period, but could not express my views.

I missed expressing my views because I am passionate about Malaysian sports and want to whatever little I can to make changes to make it better. There is no doubt there is tremendous potential in Malaysian sports, especially in the present times, since there is great support from the Government and the private sector. We have ultra-modern sports facilities, have organised numerous international sporting events, our officials are in top positions in international sports organisations, have an abundance of experienced coaches and officials and talented athletes in various sports.

However, we have attained world-class standard in few sports and even then they are not consistent. Among the sports that can claim having attained world standard include badminton, squash and tenpin bowling, with others like cycling and archery coming close behind. Gone are the days when we used to rule in soccer and even our traditional sports sepak takraw!

A great deal of the rot in sports here has to do with a lack of professionalism administration in many associations, poor attitude and lack of discipline among athletes and officials, lack of emphasis on development programmes, politicking, abuse of financial aid and funds, and above all, using sports as a platform for individual agendas.

Let us look at the highest sports organisation in the country – the Olympic Council of Malaysia who will have their biennial elections tomorrow. When nominations came, it already invited controversy with the likes of former Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim nominated by the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) to challenge incumbent president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar.(Above)

Then, we had Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad nominated to stand against another incumbent, deputy president Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan.

It is a democratic process and anyone can be nominated. However, in the case of Shahidan, he is already the president of the Malaysian AAU (MAAU), Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM), Kabaddi Association of Malaysia, Petanque Federation of Malaysia (PFM) and the Perlis Football Association.

The right thing for Shahidan(right) to have done, if he was seriously interested in the OCM’s top post would have been to resign from all the associations he heads and go for broke at the OCM elections. That way, his sincerity in wanting to serve OCM would have been underlined. Right now, he wants to have the cake and eat it too. If he loses in the OCM elections, life goes on as usual as he will continue to helm the associations. But if he wins in the OCM, he will have to resign from the associations, as it will definitely be a conflict of interest. Shahidan’s desire to helm sports associations has been the debate in the past and is nothing new.

As for Ibrahim, he has the credentials and experience, but to go up against Jegathesan,(below) who is the only Olympian in the Council and who not only has the experience and international recognition, but has done a decent job, looks like there is a hidden agenda. Refer to SS Dhaliwal’s Malaysian Sports blog to read what Ibrahim and Jegathesan have to say about the election. Q&A

What has happened to sports to be led by sportsmen? (Refer to this)

Talking about controversies, when the deadline of nominations ended on May 20, the first salvo was fired when the list of nominations was not released by OCM. And this is nothing new either. Refer to this story.

Hope good sense prevails among the 34 national sports associations who will cast their vote to decide the line-up to lead the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) for the next two years.

May the best and those with sports and the nation at heart rule!

Old warrior passes on his skills

By Nuradzimmah Daim (New Straits Times)

KUALA LUMPUR: He was a winger who used to strike fear into the hearts of
the opposing defence on the battlefields of the country's toughest
football competition - the Malaysia Cup.
 He won many honours, playing alongside legends like the late Mokhtar
Dahari and R. Arumugam; Datuk Soh Chin Aun, Santokh Singh and Reduan
Abdullah in the 1980s.
 Many of his illustrious teammates in the Selangor team have faded away,
but K. Kanagarajah, 51, loves football too much to walk away from it.
 Kanagarajah, who grew up in a rough neighbourhood, lives in a Sri Sabah
flat, a City Hall housing project. For 20 years he has provided free
coaching for children.
 Since retiring from competitive football in 1987, Kanagarajah has been
conducting free coaching clinics for youngsters from low-income families.
 It's not easy as at times Kanagarajah, who works in a construction
company, has to dig deep into his own pocket to finance the clinics.
 For Kanagarajah, who is also a talent scout for the Pemuda Cheras club,
the satisfaction for his sacrifices comes when his proteges make it to
state teams for the MSL.
 Q & A K. Kanagarajah
 Q: Tell us about your life as a boy and your early involvement in
football.
 A: I was raised in Bukit Bintang before my family moved to Jalan San
Peng, and later to the City Hall quarters in Cheras.
 I used to play football with my friends, and then I was spotted by
coach Chow Kwai Lam and started playing for Cheras United.
 Q: You had played for Selangor and the national team. Did you dream of
that when you were a kid?
 A: No, I only wanted to play football.
 Q: What was it like, playing with legends like Mokhtar Dahari, who was
known as "Super Mokh"?
 A: He was a very nice man, and a superhuman. He had the right attitude
and a strong fighting spirit, which is very rare among the present
generation.
 When I joined Selangor, I was 19 and he was 23. He accepted new players
like me with open arms and was more than willing to teach us a thing or
two to improve our skills. This is what I want to instill in young
players.
 I joined the national team two years later while I was still playing
for Selangor. Poor health forced me to retire from the Selangor team in
1987.
 Q: For 20 years, you have been coaching children for free. Where are
they from and what drives you?
 A: Most of the children come from low-income families and can't afford
coaching fees. The 120 children that I coach are between five and 17
years old. They live in City Hall flats, including Sri Sabah and
Cochrane, Pandan Indah, Loke Yew and a few from Bandar Sri Permaisuri.
 We organise the training in public fields around City Hall flats like
Sri Johor.
 It's better for them to play sports than to loiter around and get
hooked on drugs. Some of the kids are school dropouts, and it's important
for us to guide them into using their free time well. I can relate to
them because I also came from a rough neighbourhood.
 Q: But aren't there football academies around for kids?
 A: That's the thing. These children can't afford to pay training fees
at academies.
 I'm just doing my small part as an ex-footballer and passing my
knowledge on to them. So maybe with the early exposure they, too, can
become professional footballers.
 Q: How much do you spend on the training sessions?
 A: It costs at least RM300 per session as we also provide food, drinks
and bus fare for those living in Ampang.
 The Under-12 boys train once a week, and the over16 train three times.
We have about 120 boys training with us.
 I'm thankful my family and friends fully support me in this project.
Datuk Vyran Raj of Vyran Holdings, who used to play with us, has been
very helpful by sponsoring our junior players.
 Q: It costs you money and time in giving free coaching. Why do you do
it?
 A: I get a lot of satisfaction from training these children. I see
potential in every one of them.
                             (END)

Monetary lure in sports(2007 - Malaysian Today)

Monetary lure in sports

ARE we so desperate for achievements that we are prepared to dangle carrots to our national athletes to get results?

What has happened to national pride and honour in doing the nation proud with achievement?

Yes, sports is in the modern era has moved to a new level where rewards are part and parcel of the game.

But it was indeed sad and pathetic that the national soccer team need to be motivated with ringgit and sen to win the ongoing Asean Football Federation (AFF) championship.

Was the prize money of US$100,000 (RM350,000) was not enough to motivate the national players to do proud to the nation?

Menteri Besar of Selangor and FA of Selangor president, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, in a surprise visit to the national team this week prior to the first leg semifinals clash of the Malaysia and Singapore, offered RM100,000 if the team won the AFF championship.

Then there is another RM100,000 for grabs which is offered by the FA of Malaysia’s new attire sponsor, Nike.

All in all there is RM550,000 for grabs for the players if they won.

Well and good, that there are individuals who have come up with incentives for the national team to do well.

But is this the sort of culture we want to cultivate among our sportsmen and women.

There is no denying that rewards will be fortcoming whenever a national athlete or team succeeds at international level and it is not a sin to give rewards for a job well done and as appreciation. And I have no qualms about that, because athletes should be rewarded.

And knowing the President of FA of Malaysia, the Sultan of Pahang, he himself will reward the players if they produce noteworthy achievements, without even the players asking.

But to dangle a carrot for national athletes to perform? I take strong objection to that because I feel it is an insult.

Do soldiers who go to war, are dangled with monetary carrots to win the war or battle? What about all the doctors who are fighting to save a life, are they paid incentives to save that life?

Agreed that Malaysian soccer has not won a major title since 1989, when they won the Sea Games gold medal beating Singapore on that raining night at the Merdeka Stadium on Aug 31.

But have we become so desperate that we have to offer cash money for our national athletes to bring honours to the nation.

What saddens even more that that the monetary offer is for a tournament which is considered the lowest in the region – an Asean tournament. It is not even an Asian tournament.

Have we gone so desperate that we are prepared to reward for mediocrity?

And it is not surprising, because we here in Malaysian even offer cash rewards for achievement in Malaysia Games (Sukma) which is a Games to development and unearth new young talent!

On Tuesday night on the first leg game day itself, I kept asking myself as I walked out of the Shah Alam Stadium where the Malaysians were held to a 1-1 draw, what better incentives could the players have asked for to motivate themselves, then when they took the one goal lead.

Whether the goal scored by Muhammad Hardi Jaafar was an intended attempt at goal or a cross into the penalty box, it was a gem of a goal and it should have spurred the players to greater heights.

But it did not. Maybe, they needed the 25,000 fans to scream that they will each be donating RM10 each to the team besides the RM 10 they paid to watch and scream their lungs off in support of the team, for the players to win the match!

I did not see much urgency on the players to at least keep the slim lead, let alone increase the lead, as they allowed a “soft goal” by Singapore to pull level.

Let us not spoil our athletes with all sorts of incentives, especially when the achievement is at the lowest level.

Let us reward for Asian and Olympic level achievements and set standards that we can be proud.

While on the subject of achievement, the young badminton doubles pair of Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong and golfer Airil Rizman Zahari who won the Malaysian Open and Pakistan Open respectively, did not see carrots dangled at them to win their titles.

They had to fight it out tooth and nail to win their titles and the prize money offered. And these are the kind of achievement we can be proud of.

While congratulations is certainly in order for Koo and Tan for winning their second consecutive title after having bagged the gold medal at the Asian Games in Doha, it is hoped that the duo who have tremendous potential, will keep their feet firm on the ground and not allow success to get to their head.

The talented duo like level headed players who will not get too big for their shoes, but instead will continue to strive hard to continue to do well. And these are the kind of athletes who can become role models and even if rewarded, it will be worthwhile and no issues to be made off.

It is hoped that Malaysian sports in their desperation to see success, do not set low standards and reward for mediocre results and become a laughing stalk in the eyes of the sporting world.

Let our sportsmen and women be true champions, which we can really be proud of and the only way to achieve it is cheer hard work, determination, discipline, commitment and above all passion for the sports and nation.

Let us be proud of 50 years of independence and show some solid and concrete achievements that we really can be proud off in sports.

Athletes' dedication in question again (2007 - Malaysian Today)

Athletes' dedication in question again

IT is inevitable that the dedication of present day athletes has to be brought up once again, in the wake of the Government rewarding RM 6,950,800 last night at the dinner attended by the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to athletes under Sports Winning Rewards Scheme (Skim Hadiah Kemenangkan Sukan – SHAKAM).

The athletes who were rewarded were the winners at the December 15th Doha Asian Games and the 9th Fespic Games hosted by Kuala Lumpur in November.

The athletes from the Doha Asian Games collected a total of RM2,246,000 for the total of eight gold, 17 silver and 17 bronze medals, while the physically challenged athletes pocketed RM 4,704,800.

Athlete Lee Sheng Chow was the biggest beneficiary from the Fespic Games with a total of RM190,00 for winning two gold and one silver, while bowler Esther Cheah took home RM198,333 for two gold and three silver medals.

Although, there are concerns that the physically challenged athletes should have a separate scheme because their events are unique in nature, the Government while the scheme comes in place, did not leave them out and gave the same as for the abled athletes under the SHAKAM.

The point is that be it a physically challenged athlete or able athlete, when they bring honours, they are handsomely rewarded.

These rewards are besides being the athletes fully sponsored by the National Sports Council where training allowance, accommodation, meals, education, medical benefits, sports science, training, coaches, air fares and even overseas stints, are all provided for.

In most sports even the prize money from tournaments goes back to the athletes.

Indeed, Malaysian athletes are a very lucky lot.

But sadly, a majority either do not realise it, or think that they are not getting enough.

It really puzzles as to why Malaysian athletes are not motivated enough to excel in sports and reach excellence results, as there is ample rewards awaiting them.

Infact, Malaysia is an envy of many foreign countries and athletes, where their athletes have to pay their own fare for international competitions like the Commonwealth Games and when the athletes win a gold medal, all they get is a handshake from their top Government officials and a commendation letter – not a single sen is paid in rewards.

For these athletes, their performance with their nation is a stepping-stone in their ambitions to become professionals in the respective sports.

And the sacrifice made by the athletes from these nations are immense, just to make the grade and move to the professional circuit where they have to continue to work hard to earn their rewards.

For all the money the Malaysian Government is dedicating towards sports, we should be producing champions in almost every sport we compete.

But it is not the case, because Malaysian athletes are a pampered lot, who are easily satisfied, do not have ambitions and more often then not get rewarded some mediocre performance, which is not even Asian standard.

Maybe, it is time for athletes to be made accountable too and should be asked to sign contracts for the funding they get, where when they fail to achieve certain standards, they have to pay back the Government, or have to serve the sports for a number of years under different categories based on their qualification.

What we have now is athletes continuously complaining that they are not getting enough and do not even have performances worth mentioning.

Of course sport globally has changed to a professional approach and cannot be compared to the earlier years when it was all about pride, passion and honour.

At the same time these, these values cannot be completely disregarded.

These days we have soccer players who ask the team manager at halftime, if their bonus is going to be topped up, so that they can go on to win the match!

We have top athletes quitting the sports at an early age, just because they have won some money through the rewards scheme.

To make it worse, these athletes do not even give back anything to the sports or society, what they have learnt and earned through sports.

More often than not there is politicking, bickering and mismanagement in sports associations and more often the parents too have joined in the bandwagon to make demands and make threats in what they consider is in the best interest of their children.

While applaud the athletes, both the physically challenged an d able athletes for their achievement, it must be stressed to them, that this is only the beginning and tey should have bigger goals and dreams to achieve.

It probably time to review the incentive scheme where lump sums of money are not paid, but where one secures the future of these athletes, where a bulk of the money is only paid out when they retire, in form of a monthly allowance.

Maybe, even look at the Korean model, where points are awarded for each success at a international level and the longer one stays in the sports and bring honours, the more points which are accumulated and get high pensions for life.

Rewarding our athletes is all good, but with large sums of money being given out, it has to be a win-win situation for both the athletes and the government and at the same time ensuring that performance at the highest level is always on the upward trend.

Sports is a serious business in Malaysia and it is about time the athletes realise it and act as professionals to give back the equivalent returns as they are supported and rewarded.

Sporting shame (2007 - Malaysian Today)

Sporting shame


MALAYSIAN athletes have yet to establish themselves as world-renowned personalities, but they are already acting like prima donnas.

Even the few who have been making a name for themselves in the world arena, have yet to reach “star” status with consistent performance over a number of years.

Malaysian athletes lack the character to display true sportsmanship, professionalism and portray themselves as an icon for the future generation.

Malaysian sportsmen and women generally being labeled as spoilt and pampered lot and there will be no smoke without fire.

The scribe witnessed a few incidents this week, which only confirmed that Malaysian athletes have a long way before they can stand out with distinction in the world arena.

One shocking incident was when the national soccer team was returning from Singapore by flight after their semifinals defeat to Singapore in the Asean Football Federation soccer tournament on Sunday, were a disgrace to budding youngsters who had ambitions to be national players one day.

Although returning as a team after the defeat, the players were seated all over the plane. (Prior arrangement could have been made for them all to be seated together).

What was even more shocking was the same players were seated with either their wives or girlfriends.

And the “women” were all over their men during the flight and it was a disgusting sight especially with the players in national colours and traveling as a team.

It is learnt that these “women” also stayed in the same hotel, as the team.

There is no harm for wives and girlfriends to support their men, but they should travel separately and stay in a different hotel.

Even the top teams in the world for the World Cup do not condone such behavior from their players. (Wives and girlfriends travel for the World Cup but separately and stay in different hotels and are only allowed to meet at stipulated times and venues. But for the World Cup the players are on assignment for almost for a month).

The Malaysian team was in Singapore for just three days!

But the height of the situation of the national team was when a player was seen walking out from the plane with his hands locked with his wife or girlfriend.

What kind on impression would have this player given to the public at the airport.

Certainly did not speak much of the character of the team nor the player.

Lets forget about the players showing some remorse for their exit from the AFF tournament, but least the players should have the decency to behave in the public.

Traveling on the same flight were two young fans – college students – who has attired themselves with the latest Nike jersey the Malaysian team is equipped with and would have paid close to RM300.

The duo was diehard fans because they not only were wearing the expensive and brand new Malaysian jersey, but had flown in to watch the game.

What kind of impression or example, would have the national soccer players given these two young fans – that life as a national soccer players is all about glamour, women and fun?

The FA of Malaysia should get to the bottom of this matter, at least for the same of the sake of whatever image the national soccer team has!

Then in other sports like gymnastics and badminton, we have players who demand who they train under and where they train. Parents too have joined the bandwagon and in the pretext of wanting the best for their children, make unwarranted demands and accuse the administrators of all sorts of shortcomings.

Then, we even have parents who go the extend of thinking of asking monetary gains for interviews.


In athletics there was discontentment among a few athletes, over the scholarships awarded by the Higher Education Ministry, despite already on scholarships which maybe not as lucrative in terms of monetary as the recent scholarships offered, but had other values like prolonging their courses or deferring their dates of examination.

What is it with these athletes? They demand anything and everything, but when it comes to performances, it is questionable.

And the government is pumping in millions into sports, only to find athletes who shortchange them in all accounts.
To make it all heart aching, is the fact that they do not even have noteworthy performances shouting about.

Athletes had better take a good look in the mirror and realise that there is much more they can give then keep demanding the authorities for the sky and moon.

They has better realise their follies fast enough, before one fine day, the Government might just decide to take their legs of the pedal to support sports because it is losing cause.

Ask what you can do for the nation and not what the nation can do for you!

Produce the results and stand tall and all will be duly recognised. But do not short change the tax payers money and hope to get way scot-free all the time.