VETERAN ATHLETICS OFFICIAL, VEGI CALLS IT A DAY

Vegi, Mr Athletics of Malaysia and King of Roads, passes the baton on

Iconic veteran athletic official and administrator, Datuk S. Vegiyathuman Thevar, or popularly known among the athletics circle as ‘Vegi’, called it quits because of poor health on Saturday after being involved with the sports for 42 years.

Vegi who turned 78 on Aug 5, did not contest for president’s post for a second term at the Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Athletics Association (FTKLAA) Biennial General Meeting on Saturday and the baton has been passed on to former middle-distance athlete and Malaysian Masters Athletics Association (MMAA) patron, Datuk Seri (Dr) V. Pulainthiran, uncontested.

Vegi was the general secretary of FTKLAA from 1985 to 2016 and became president from 2017 taking over from another veteran athletics coach and official Leslie Armstrong.

Vegi was the Board member of Malaysian Athletics Federation for the past 30 years and the national walking Committee chairman for the past 17 years.

MMAA president, S. Sivapragsam was the only other new face to the FTKLAA lineup in the BGM. Sivaparagsam came in as vice-president to replace Lt. Com (Rtd) S. Anthonysamy who did not contest.

“Due to my poor health currently, I felt it is best that I pass the baton to someone who can be more active and drive the association to greater heights,” said Vegi who is on wheelchair these days after a back operation recently.

 

Datuk Vegi with MAF President Datuk SM Muthu at Road event

“It is with a sad note that I am relinquishing the post and leaving FTKLAA after all these years because it was been my second house and my passion for the sports has kept me going all these years.

“But it is in the best interest of the sports and especially city sports that I withdraw and allow a more capable person to lead the association and the sports.

“However, as long as I can give my advice and share my knowledge and it is required, I will be more that happy to give my assistance,” said Vegi whose first employment was as a finger-print examiner with the Royal Malaysian Police.

Then in 1998 he got involved in athletics fulltime when he was hired as the venue manager for athletics for the 16^th Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.

A long-distance runner when he was in school who also played cricket, football, rugby, and hockey, soon became known as an expert sports official in organisation of athletics competitions, walks and marathons.

He was as specialist in the settings of layouts of new tracks, inclusive of pits for jumping events and circles for throwing events.

He was a much-sought athletics official for many international meets held in KL and has been chairman for many committees like organising, technical, competition, facilities, and road races.

And at the international level he has worked or officiated as walks judge at the KL 1998 Commonwealth Games, many Sea Games, Asian Track and Field championships, World Athletics championships, World Universities Games, Paralympics Games, Walks World Cup, Asia Games and even the Olympics.

His highlight at the world level must surely be his last international assignment, as age caught up with him, when he was the walk judge at the 2004 Athens Olympics Games.

Vegi has also conducted numerous athletics courses both locally and at the international level.

For his voluntary contribution for the development, growth of athletics and system organisation of athletics meets, it has fittingly earned him the name “Mr Athletics of Malaysia and “King of Road Races.”

Datuk Vegi over seeing the distribution of Race Kits

Former national athlete P. Sidamparam seeking Datuk Vegi's opinion over a matter at a meet

His name is also synonymous with ‘The Malay Mail Big Walk’.

He is also recognised as the founder of several events namely the Inter-Bank athletics championship, road running industry in Malaysia and the Kuala Lumpur International Marathon which is now organized by another name – Standard Chartered Marathon – to name a few.

Vegi’s famous motto in carrying out his duties exemplarily is ‘First to come to the venue, and last to leave’ and is a stickler for starting events on time.

Vegi is surely going to be missed immensely as athletics meets, but he certainly leaves behind a legacy and act hard to be matched.

 Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Athletics Association (FTKLAA) Council for 2020/2021

President:

Datuk Seri (Dr) V. Pulainthiran

Deputy President:

K. Ramalingam

Vice Presidents:

Gulam Ghani Mohd Ayub

G. Raman

Dr S. Radhakrishnan

S. Muthiah

S. Sivapragasam

Miss Teen Suk Man

General Secretary:

S. Murugesu

Honorary Treasurer:

Syamsul Bani Abdullah

Internal Auditors:

M. Shamugam

V. M, Gunasekaran

 

Ends.

ANTHONYSAMY A RARE BREED FROM VETERAN FOOTBALL OFFICIALS

Datuk S. Anthonysamy passed away on April 3rd, 2021.

May his soul rest in peace and the Lord grant him eternal rest.

He will be long remembered for his dedication, devotion and passion for the beautiful game of football.

His contribution to the game, especially Selangor, will remain a legacy.

DATUK S. ANTHONYSAMY

Datuk S. Anthonysamy’s name may not ring a bell to the younger generation of Selangor football, but his name was synonymous with the Red Giants in the 60s to early 90s.

Anthonysamy who turns 86 on Dec 23, has been associated with FA of Selangor from the early 60s before he became the Council member in 1968 and then secretary from 1974 to 1993 – spanning close to 30 years.

Anthonysamy with from left Rosminazam, veteran sport journalist, Datuk R. Yogeswaran, veteran hockey official and MP Haridas, veteran sport administrator

Among the early officials who began their association with FA of Selangor include the late R. Ramalingam who was secretary, treasurer, and vice-president of FA Selangor at various stages.

Both Anthonysamy and Ramalingam also served at FA of Malaysia in various capacities.

Other notable veteran officials in the Klang Valley who started off with Anthonysamy and Ramalingam include another former FA of Selangor secretary, Salleh Ahmad (former secretary) and  the late Datuk K. Rasalingam, together with other members like late Datuk Goh Ah Chai, Hamzah Muhammad, M.J. Vincent, Shariff Mustafa, late Jeswant Singh and T. Manickarajah, who were the breakaway group from the FA Selangor to form Kuala Lumpur Football Association (then Federal Territory Football Association) when they saw the need for another association in the Klang Valley due to the growing numbers of clubs.

But Anthonysamy who may be a forgotten man today, was largely responsible for the rise of Selangor football as an administrator – although as an amateur – which many may not be able to match even in this professional era.

Of course, Anthonysamy received his fair share of brickbats from his detractors but he took it all his stride to continue to work for the love of football.

Anthonysamy has the rare distinction of having served secretary of FA of Selangor under four Presidents – all Menteri Besars of Selangor namely late Datuk Harun Idris, late Datuk Hormat Rafei, late Datuk Ahmad Razali Ali and Tan Sri Muhammad Taib.

Anthonysamy saw the growth of FA of Selangor from their office at the Petaling District FA office at PJ Club in Jalan Timor in the 60s, then headquartered at the MCA building in Jalan Ampang before moving to their own office - Wisma FAS in 1973 at the Merdeka Stadium in Jalan Maharajalela.

Anthoysamy was an active trade unionist while working for the old Petaling Jaya Town Council before joining as an administrative officer with Hume Industries, with the main function of running their sports club and so began his association with FA of Selangor with his company football team competing in the League.

It was Datuk Hormat who asked him to work fulltime with FA of Selangor in 1986.

Selangor’s great achievements gave Anthonysamy his share of life’s thrills.

Afterall, Selangor was the biggest football State then and their league was exemplary, their Selangor team travelled more than the national team – for example in 1978 the Selangor team went on a round-the world trip that took them to Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Japan, and Hong Kong.

Anthonysamy standing far right with Selangor team in Perth in the early 80s during their playing tour and training stint. Coach was late datuk M. Chandran squatting first from left and assistant coach squatting far right current AFC general secretary Datuk Windsor Paul.

Selangor produced and lured good players and the best remembered is the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari.

“Mokhtar was so loyal a d so dedicated. A great captain. He was the best on and off the field,” said Anthonysamy of Mokhtar.

He had his great personal moments too as football manager of Selangor.

FA of Selangor was founded in 1905 to establish an internal state league and to manage the league, called the Selangor Association Football League (SAFL). The first cup competition was sponsored by the British Resident of Selangor, RG Watson. There were also reports the association was led by British Residents at that time.

In 1926, the internal crisis led some officials to withdraw from the association and set up a separate association named Selangor Football Association (SFA). The dispute between the SAFL and the SFA continued for almost ten years before the two sides negotiated for the betterment of football future in the state of Selangor. Finally, the two football entities officially merged on February 22, 1936, under the name of the Football Association (FAS) or Persatuan Bola Sepak Selangor.

Tunku Abdul Rahman was the first Malaysian president appointed in 1951

The Independent MP for Bungsar (now known as Bangsar constituency and a teacher by a profession, SCE Singam became the second official FAS president until 1953, then later been replaced by K. Sundram. Between 1952 to 1955, the club won one FAM Cup and become runners-up in the 1952 and 1955 FAM Cup competition.

But it was under the leadership of Datuk Harun (1961–1982) for 21 years that Selangor won the Malaysia Cup 15 times.

These days, Anthonysamy hardly goes to the Stadium to watch a game because of his ailing health, but that has not stopped him from keeping abreast of the current football development.

“It is not fair to compare football of yesteryear and today because it is totally a different era. Football has gone professional these days, and everything is about money. Passion has taken a back seat,” said Anthonysamy when as asked about football these days.

“We have seen glorious days both with Selangor and Malaysian football when it was amateur. It should be even better these days with professionalism, but sadly it has not reached its true potential.

“Great efforts are being made, there is big money and great facilities, but I feel Malaysian football can be on a higher platform than it is today.

“I hope it realises its true potential soon,” was his parting words.

While Anthonysamy can bask in his glorious yesteryear achievements, indeed Malaysian football can be better.

Anthonysamy with the scribe

SUBADRON A SHINING EXAMPLE FOR EX-FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO EMULATE

BY TONY MARIADASS

SUBADRON Abdul Aziz is probably one singular footballer who has given back to the game which had given him so much, the most.

The former Kuala Lumpur and national striker who turned 56 on Oct 4, could have used the money earned through managing his late father’s waste truck and his own real estate business, to become a wealthy entrepreneur, but his heart and soul are wrapped around football which made him what he is today.

“If not for football, I will not be what I am today. And I have to thank the late Tan Sri Elyas Omar, who was KLFA president and KL mayor then, for looking after me as a player,” said Subadron, who was a member of the historical city team who won the Malaysia Cup a record three times from 1987 to 1989.

Subadron was also a member of the victorious national team under coach Trevor Hartley at the 1989 Sea Games in Kuala Lumpur.

“I had several offers during the height of my footballing career to play for other States, but I stayed loyal to KL because of Tan Sri. He was like a father to be.”

Subadron, who married to singer Salwa Abdul Rahman, still remains his modest self and it was his wife’s unwavering determination to give back to the game that saw him set up Subadron Football Club and Subadron Football Academy in 2012.

The father of Puteri Sulaikha (22) and Putera Sufrie Niza (19), has set up his academy which puts to shame most State FAs who do not even have an elaborate youth programme or facilities close to what Subadron has managed.

Subadron's family with Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon (patron Subadron Football Academy)

Finance to set up this academy and manage it was from his hard earned money through his business.

His Football Club is registered with Sports Commission, while the FA of Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur FA have given their blessings to set up the Academy and the Academy also has a tie-up with his former KL coach, Dr Josef Venglos’ Academy in Bratislava, Slovakia.

 Sadly, Subadron who had briefly coached KL’s women team in 2007 and was then named assistant team manager of the KL Premier League team in 2008, has not been utilised by KLFA since then.

Even more disappointing was that when KLFA expelled nine affiliates last year in the run-up to their congress, which included Subadron’s club.

The nine affiliates were expelled after a power struggle which led to the postponement of KLFA’s elections in December, 2018.

The nine affected affiliates are Sime Darby, VI Institution, Bukit Bandaraya, Bank Rakyat, KB Putrajaya, Petaling Putra, Felcra, UniKL and Subadron Academy.

Subadron had sought financial assistance to set up his academy from the national, KL and even FA of Selangor, but while giving their blessings, were unable to help financially.

“I had to seek private sponsors and Proton through then deputy chief executive, Datuk Lukman Ibrahim, was the first to support us where we were allowed to use their fields and several other private companies like Coffee Omega who sponsored jerseys and footballs and Prima Synergy. We also have Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon, (deputy speaker of the House of Representatives) as our patron who assists us.

 “But since then, we have had to help ourselves and after a few years with the change of management at Proton, we had to move out and look for public fields.”

The Subadron Academy now has two centres – one in Shah Alam where they use the Section 26 field and another for Kuala Lumpur at Taman Ibu Kota.

It was then that he decided to set up a permanent centre with office, dormitory and gymnasium facilities in Sungei Buloh, when he built two semi-detached buildings on a land he purchased and named it Wisma Subdraon and Wisma Salwa to site his Academy which cost close to RM 4 million.

The Academy even has their own transportation vehicles (three).

Subadron who is the director of his Academy, is personally in charge of his coaching programme and is down on the field at their two training sessions each week together with his fellow coaches’ former national player Sarawak’s Jalil Ramli, former KL player Zulkifli Sameon, Rahmat Sameon, Zamri Mazleh, Khairul Ishak, Salim Ismail, Mohd Izam Harun and trainer Iman Emmanuel.

The Academy currently has about 80 players ranging from ages 8 to 20.

Subadron received a well-earned boost when his effort to work at grassroots development gained recognition at the 2016 National Football Awards when the Subadron Academy received one of the two awards given in recognition of development at grassroots level.

 “That prompted me to build another academy at Seri Gombak, equipped with a medical room, gymnasium, swimming pool, dormitory, indoor badminton court and his house too, dedicated to his wife for all her support.

 “It is work in progress for the last four years but is now near completion. It will cost me RM 1 million and it is designed by me and I am personally involved in the construction,” said Subadron who hails from Kampong Baru before moving to Gombak.

Subadron has one final dream – to erect a mini stadium with two fields on a 4-acre piece of land he has purchased at Seri Gombak.

“I have approached the Sports Ministers in the past and FA of Selangor to assist to help build the mini stadium but nothing has come out of it yet. We can do a joint-venture deal for a said period, where I will manage it and share profit. After the said period the stadium is handed over to me as the land is mine,” said the former Setapak High School student.

 “But I am not giving up and will continue to pursue my ambition to make my dream complete in giving back to the game.”

Subradron said he has attained quotes for the mini-stadium with two artificial pitches and container cabins for changing rooms, toilet facilities and a small management office. It would cost about RM2 million.

His son, Sufrie Niza, assists him in the management of the business and his Academy.

Sufrie also trained at the Academy but decided to get involved in E-Sports (football) and is now ranked number 3 in Malaysia and goes by the nickname ‘Killer’.

 His daughter helps Subradon when she has time off her modelling and work with beauty product (L’Oréal) marketing team.

Salwa, who still sings at functions, remains the backbone behind Subadron’s vision and dreams to leave a legacy in football development.

“It is my hope through the Academy to give an opportunity to those who aspire to be footballers to train in a good environment and be guided by coaches.

“We have already had players from the Academy who have represented the KL youth team and two of notably ones are Muhammad Afzal and Muhammad Nazhan in 2016.

“I hope in future we will be able to supply players to the national youth teams, state teams and eventually one or two national players emerge from our Academy.”

Subadron Academy is in the process of registering themselves with Football Association of Malaysia’s Suparimau Charter – a move by FAM to register Football Academies and Schools and provide them guidance in all facets of development.

The primary aim of the Suparimau Academy is to have credible academies and to achieve excellence in teaching the game to juniors.

Included in the advantages of being in the Charter are accreditation, the SupaRimau League and player training compensation when a junior move on to a big stage.

Subadron Academy should have no problems to be registered among the three levels (Gold, Silver and Bronze) of classification based on leadership, planning, facilities, junior competitions and education.

To date, 210 of the estimated 500 academies in the country have enlisted with FAM.

 Indeed, Subadron deserves more recognition and assistance and is a shining example of a player who never forgot his roots and devoted himself to give back to the game that made him.

Despite being married to a popular singer, that Subadron has his feet firmly on the ground and remains humble and simple with his wife and children, who are so respectful and down to earth, speaks volumes of his upbringing.

Kudos Subadron!

IT AIN'T OVER YET!

 

13 TEAMS GRANTED CLUB LICENSE TO COMPETE IN CIMB LIGA SUPER 2021 & LIGA PREMIER 2021; 7 TEAMS WITH CONDITIONAL LICENSE

A total of 10 out of 12 teams that are competing in the CIMB Liga Super 2020 was granted their national club license to enable them to compete in the CIMB Liga Super 2021, if eligible.

The 10 teams are Felda United FC, UiTM FC, Johor Darul Ta’zim FC, Kedah FA, PDRM FA, Perak FA, Petaling Jaya City FC, Sabah FA, Selangor FA and Terengganu FC.

The remaining two teams namely; Pahang FA and Melaka FA were granted conditional national license. 

For everyone’s attention, although the club licensing request for Felda United FC was approved, in accordance to the club licensing documentation, the FAM secretariat was requested to obtain further justification from Felda Holdings on the football club (FC) status for Season 2021.

Meanwhile, three out of eight teams that will be competing in the Liga Premier 2020 has received their national club license that will enable them to compete in the CIMB Liga Super 2021 or Liga Premier 2021, if eligible.

The three teams are Kelantan United FC, Kuala Lumpur FA and Negeri Sembilan FA. 

The remaining five teams that were granted conditional license are Kuching FA, Kelantan FA, UKM FC, Pulau Pinang FA and Sarawak United FC.

As additional information, the FAM FIB is not satisfied with the information that was shared by the highest management of UKM on their FC status for Season 2021 after referring to their license request and privatization documentation.

These matters had been decided during the First Instance Body (FIB) FAM Club Licensing meeting that was held in Shah Alam from 1 until 2 October 2020.

Should the teams that were granted with the conditional national license fail to complete the requirement before or on 31 October 2020, FIB has the rights to take further actions which may include fine, point deduction, relegation and/or their license revoked.

We would also like to inform that only 9 out of 20 CIMB Liga Super 2020 and Liga Premier 2020 that has applied for the AFC license for Season 2021with only 8 teams having passed and granted with the AFC license to enable these teams to compete in the Asian Champions League 2021 and the AFC Cup 2021, if eligible.

These teams are Johor Darul Ta’zim FC, Perak FA, Selangor FA, Terengganu FC, Felda United FC, Petaling Jaya FC, Kedah FA and Kuala Lumpur FA.

However, Melaka FA has failed to obtain their AFC license due to failure to meet the requirement set for the AFC licensing.

The remaining 11 teams that did not apply for the AFC 2021 license consisted of four teams from CIMB Liga Super 2020; Pahang FA, Sabah FA, UiTM FC and PDRM FA including Kelantan FA, Kelantan United FC, Negeri Sembilan FA, Pulau Pinang FA, Kuching FA, UKM FC and Sarawak United FC from Liga Premier 2020.

To enable a team to be granted a club license as stipulated in the FAM Club Licensing Regulation Edition 2020, they are required to pass the assessment made on these 6 main criteria name;

 

1.   Sports

2.   Infrastructure

3.   Officials and administration

4.   Legislation

5.   Finance

6.   Business

However, financial-related criteria often raise questions when a team is known to have problems with arrears of salaries of players and officials, or arrears related to the EPF, IRB and SOCSO are still given full or conditional club licenses by FAM.

For that, explained in detail below on the justifications why were these teams are granted with license or conditional license:

 

1. KEDAH FA

i) Although Kedah still has four months of salary arrears beginning May, June, July and August, they have however, submitted a letter of mutual agreement between the players and officials with an instalment payment schedule for the outstanding amount.

ii) Based on the agreement between the players and officials, FAM has granted the club license approval but in the event that the instalment payment is found not to be made according to the set schedule, among the actions that can be taken includes revocation of license and deduction of points.

 

2. PDRM

i) Although PDRM still had salary arrears with its players and official earlier this year, they have managed to conclude it before the end of February 2020 after the 3-point deduction of CIMB Liga Super 2020 on 3 February 2020.

ii) This is one of the many impacts from FAM’s action to have all teams to submit the Statutory Declaration (SD) end of last year to declare if they have any salary arrears and plans to settle the outstanding amount.

 

3. MELAKA FA

i) The reply letter from the LHDN regarding Melaka's application to pay arrears in instalments was found to be unclear. Although LHDN had informed that they received a letter from Melaka but it did not state whether they (LHDN) agreed or not with the application from the team.

ii) Melaka, which had salary arrears with players and officials since the beginning of the year, however has successfully settled all of the arrears until 30 September 2020.  This is also the impact from the declaration of SD in which the team received a CIMB Liga Super 2020 3-point deduction on 20 Mac 2020 due to their failure to settle the remaining balance of salary arrears according to their payment schedule.

 

4. PAHANG FA

i) Letter of application to LHDN, KWSP and Perkeso to settle payment arrears has been received by these bodies. However, there are information in these letters to these bodies that were not shared and this requires further justification from Pahang.

 

5. KELANTAN FA

i) In the beginning of 2020, Kelantan recorded a total of 18 outstanding salary cases with a total of more than RM4 million.

ii) However, recently, there are only three cases of salary arrears that have not been completed or are in the process, thus seeing the old cases since 2017 have been successfully resolved by Kelantan. Also among the following cases, a mutual agreement has been made and proof of this mutual agreement has been submitted for club licensing before the deadline of 30 September 2020.

iii) Besides that, through making the declaration of SD compulsory to all teams, a total of 121 salary arrears were able to be finalized and concluded after they too received a Liga Premier 2020 3 point-deduction due to their failure to settle the remaining balance of salary arrears according to their payment schedule.

 

6. KUCHING FA

i) The audit report requires information for confirmation from the FIB FAM Club Licensing to fully comply with the requirements of the criteria.

 

7. UKM FC

i) The letters to the bodies, LHDN and KWSP requires further information to comply in order to meet the requirement of the criteria.

 

8. PULAU PINANG FA

i) The audit report requires information for confirmation from the FIB FAM Club Licensing to fully comply with the requirements of the criteria.

 

9. SARAWAK UNITED FC

i) The process of preparing audit report and interim were irregular. The FIB FAM Club Licensing proposed to finalize the audit and interim reports as they wish to meet the stipulated conditions.

 

Based on the above justification, this shows that FAM is not arbitrarily granting conditional licenses to the teams that were involved, instead it is made based on the supporting documentation evidence that was presented to FAM in addition to follow-up monitoring actions that will be done by FAM so that the conditions are complied with.

Besides that, through making the declaration of SD compulsory to all teams beginning end of last year, has also shown a positive impact for the club licensing process, especially to ensure the issues of salary arrears amongst players and officials as well as KWSP, LHDN and Perkeso can be resolved or it would not take a long period to have it finalized and concluded.

Furthermore, the arrears that were taken into account for the club license application for each cycle year is only until June 30 of that year, so the SD that needs to be submitted by end of the year is for FAM being able to monitor and obtain information if should there be any arrears that occur between July to November (i.e. until the end of the season) every year.

Thus, the same process will continue for the second year in 2020 where each team is obligated to submit their respective SD to FAM no later than 15 December 2020 to declare if they have arrears of salaries of players and officials for the main team, Piala Presiden and Piala Belia until 30 November 2020 as well as other arrears involving the KWSP, LHDN and Perkeso as well as the team’s plans to clear out the outstanding debts.

This is to ensure that will be no arrears from 2020 that will be brought to the 2021 season.

Both the club licensing process and statutory declaration has also facilitated FAM in reducing the number or total of arrears of salaries of players and officials from year to year.

For example, the total number of arrears of payment to players and officials (including salaries & compensation) that have been decided by FAM and FIFA in 2019 and 2020 were 65 cases amounted to RM8,694,100.32.

However, after FAM worked closely with all the teams involved and stressed the importance of resolving the arrears to obtain the club license, the latest number of active cases are very low with seven cases only.

As of 30 September 2020, the total number of payment arrears that were successfully resolved are 58 cases amounted to RM 8,129,160.59.

Furthermore, FAM through making the declaration of SD mandatory in 2019, it had successfully resolved a total of 297 cases of payment arrears to players and officers with a total amounted RM912,717.08.

This national license and AFC license is valid for a period of one season, only for season 2021 and throughout the season, if any team is found to be in violation of the articles stipulated in the FAM Club Licensing Regulation Edition 2020 or in any circumstances that would cause license issuers (FAM) to be not satisfied, their club license can be revoked.

Last but not least, FAM would like to congratulate the teams that have successfully obtained their national club license and the AFC license for their outstanding efforts in ensuring their application is successful though affected with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sheikh Mohd Nasir Sheikh Mohd Sharif

FAM Club Licensing FIB Chairman