ALL’S WELL OR ALL HELL WILL BREAK LOOSE

GOLD IN TOKYO WILL ERASE ALL FLAWS?

By Tony Mariadass

If Azizulhasni Awang goes on to win the historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics which ends on Sunday (he has been targeted to win in the keirin), everything will be ‘hunky dory'.

The Tokyo Olympics will be remembered as a success despite the overall ‘lukewarm’ performance.

If he fails, or even get a silver or bronze medal, all hell will break loose, especially in the social media, although all sorts of excuses will be given by the authorities for failing to achieve the one gold medal and medals from badminton, diving, and cycling.

For all the effort and determination of Azizulhasni and his coach Beasley and the money spent on cycling, we hope that he wins the gold medal.

But it is easier said than done and Azizulhasni’s opponents are certainly going to do everything possible to deny the former the honour.

Rest assured the Malaysian camp, especially officials from the Ministry of Sports, National Sports Council (NSC), National Sports Institute (NSI) and association, will be at the velodrome cheering Azizulhasni to win the gold and probably even wearing Azizulhasni for Gold T-shirts, as was the case in Rio five years ago.

Azizulhasni bags the gold, and it will be celebration time and euryopia and rightful so.

But do not forget the overall performance at the Games still needs to be addressed.

As in every other multi-sports Games like the Sea Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics Games, a report will be prepared and will be debated and preparation for the next Games at France in three years’ time will begin.

How many Games have come and gone at all levels, and each time when the next Games come, we are faced with the same problems and issues?

Millions of ringgits are allocated each time, programmes are launched or modified, but in the end nothing substantial is achieved.

Without doubt the last Games in 2016 – Rio Games – bore the best results where Malaysia bagged four silver medals and a bronze medal - in badminton, diving and cycling final – Lee Chong Wei, Goh Liu Ying- Chan Peng Soon and Goh V Chem and Tan Wee Kiong winning silver medals; Pandelela and Jun Hoong silver in diving and Azizulhasni winning bronze in keirin.

Former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin paid tribute to Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek for his initiative in establishing the ‘Road to Rio’ programme when he was the Youth and Sports minister four earlier, which Khairy said led to the success in Rio because of a foundation paid well.

Khairy then went to say that plans start for Tokyo 2020 immediately.

Leading to Tokyo we have had three sports ministers – Khairy, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and current Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

Here itself, one would question if there was a smooth plan in place or changes with every minister.

Yes, there is NSC who were supposed to be the guiding force to the Ministers. But was transition each time done professionally or with personal agendas.

And what about the money allocated for the preparation of the Tokyo Games?

Was it well spent for the benefit for the athletes?

In 2018, the then government allocated RM100 million for the country’s preparations for the 2020 Olympics and then Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had said when tabling 2019 Budget.

He said the purpose of the allocation was to continue Malaysia’s pursuit of the elusive top prize at the Olympics.

Then in February 2020, under Sports Minister Syed Saddiq, as the hunt for Malaysia’s first ever Olympic gold intensified, the Sports Ministry decided to give an extra “financial push” to the various sports in their last lap of preparations for Tokyo with an allocation of RM22.5 million.

The allocation for the various sports were cycling: RM8.37 million, badminton: RM6.45 million, diving: RM2.32 million, sailing: RM1.96 million, archery: RM940,710, golf: RM738,000, artistic gymnastics: RM644,905, karate: RM588,975, swimming: RM477,000.

Syed Saddiq had said that the RM22.5 million was for use between January and August and added that they got closer to the Games, the athletes may have additional requirements to achieve those marginal gains needed and they will look if it is necessary to allocate more funds then.

So far, we have won just one bronze medal through youngsters, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in men’s badminton doubles – who were not targeted to bag a medal.

The media also had built the hype for Tokyo, playing to the tune of the administrators, and built up the hopes of Malaysians.

But as we fell short with each passing day at the Games, all sorts of excuses were given and the main and ready-made excuse was the Covid-19 pandemic which had hindered their preparation because of lock downs, under able to travel for competitions, competitions cancelled, stress and others.

Malaysia was not the only country in the world affected by the pandemic. It was a level playing field for all countries with the challenges.

The question is how well Malaysia managed the situation and look at alternatives to prepare the athletes to the best.

Could places like Langkawi and Perlis, which were safer places during the pandemic, could have been used as base.

Let us not forget that this time around, preparation period was five years and not four years for Olympics.

NSC and the respective sports associations had the luxury of having the Olympic bound athletes for the longest period without interruptions from domestic and international competitions.

So how well did the planners think out of the box in their preparation plans. How did the rest of the world manage and did well at the Olympics?

I do not blame the athletes, for their prepared to their best with the platform offered to them.

The ones who qualified for the Games should be congratulated. Those who achieved their personal best or national records should be applauded and those who won medals praised for their determination and excellence.

As far as rewards for athletes who won medals, it is all in place through the rewards scheme for Olympic Games where individual gold medal winners will be entitled to RM1 million, silver medal and bronze medal winners will get RM300,000 and RM100,000 respectively. For team sports, the amounts remain the same and will be awarded to the team to be shared.

 

Then there is the SHAKAM (Skim Imbuhan Tetap Olimpik – Permanent Olympic Reward Scheme) programme - where winning athletes will be paid a monthly allowance for a lifetime (pension). Gold medallists will earn a monthly pension of RM5,000, silver medallists RM3,000 and bronze medallists, RM2,000. To date, as many as 13 Olympic athletes have reaped rewards through the SHAKAM programme.

 

Of course, with winning medals comes sponsorships and endorsement deals.

Afterall, Malaysia’s reward scheme for Olympics is among the third highest among top 10 nations.

 

Thus, athletes cannot complain of not being rewarded for their efforts, sacrifices and achievements.

This brings us to questions why Malaysia still has not achieved its true potential in sports.

Here was a few to ponder on for our under achievements:

a)     Politics in sports

b)    Sports officials who are not qualified leading associations

c)     Sports officials overstaying their welcome in associations

d)    Younger and former sportsmen and women, kept out of sports associations their excel in

e)     National sport associations (NSAs) selling their soul to NSC when they should be playing the main role in promoting and developing their respective sports.

f)      NSAs are totally responsible for the development of their respective sports and should engage their former athletes.

g)     Talent scouting must be a permanent feature in every NSAs and executed widely to identity new talent and groom them. (currently talent scouting is virtually nonexistence)

h)    There must be a large pool of talent available for all sports who can step into the shoes of those who are aging or failed to live up to their potential.

i)       NSC and NSAs should stop depending on athletes who do well for forever by flocking them till they get injured and get old.

j)       Younger and potential athletes should be given adequate training, exposure, and support.

k)     Sports in Malaysia should be blind to colour, creed, and race. Let the best be allowed to represent the nation. Everyone should be treated fairly and with no favouritism.

l)       Coaches should be given full responsibility for their athletes and teams.

 m) Coaches should be the ones given priority to accompany their athletes for competitions and NOT administrative officials or officials who are close to the higher ups in their respective associations.

n)    NSC not giving the recognition to NSAs and taking control of them

o)    NSC handling training and management of athletes when NSAs are the authorities in their respective sports

p)    NSC should serve as the one-stop centre for dispersing money allocated to NSAs by the Sports Ministry and not take charge of NSAs and when failure occurs blame the NSAs and when seek glory when achievements are derived.

q)    NSI to play a more supporting role for all and not selected sports or a few athletes. Every NSA should have access to NSI’s facilities and their assistance and guidance.

r0 Athletes too have to have the desire to excel and use the opportunity for themselves to elevate their life. Most of our athletes are comfortable and lack the hunger. Probably athletes from difficult backgrounds who will do better for Malaysia. We need to find these athletes from the poverty sector or difficult living backgrounds and give them the platform to rise out of their predicament

I could go on to list a few more, but I will stop because even to rectify the above is going to be a dream which may never be realised.

Without doubt, post mortems and reports are going to be made on the Tokyo Olympics with recommendations, but as usual it is going to be a futile exercise, as it is going to end in the cupboards in the storeroom collecting dust.

Just pick anyone of the many previous reports, and the answers to Malaysia becoming a powerhouse will be staring at your face.

Will anyone pick it up and implement it? Your guess and answer are as good as mine!

I have been in think tank and review groups but have never seen the end report surface or being utilised.

At this point, I believe officials who had played a role in the decline of Malaysian sports, should gracefully step down and allow fresh faces to come on aboard and try something new and different.

Will it happen?

ICONIC FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT OFFICIAL, VINCENT PASSES AWAY AT 90

VINCENT A TRUE LOVER OF THE BEAUTIFUL GAME OF FOOTBALL

 By Tony Mariadass

MJ Vincent, who celebrated his 90^th birthday on January 22, an iconic name in football development in the nation, passed away this afternoon (July 13).

Vincent who started his football love with Selangor, where he played the game, was an official with the FA of Selangor, team manager of the Selangor Burnley Cup team (now Razak Cup) and referee, was among the founder members of Federal Territory Football Association (now Kuala Lumpur FA) in 1974 with others like Datuk K. Rasalingam, Datuk Goh Ah Chai, Hamzah Muhamad, Shariff Mustafa, Jeswant Singh and T. Manickarajah.

I have known Vincent from the time I started writing in 1977 and my first trip to London was with him, when I was invited by the KLFA President, late Tan Sri Elyas Omar, to join and report to the KL 1974 victorious Razak Cup team during their one-week training stint in Birmingham City, under coach Patrick Wright.

I last spoke to him on his 90^th birthday and even sent a video message which his daughter Jenny, had prepared for her dad and had requested me to say a few words.

Vincent watching the video message I sent to him on his 90th birthday of Jan 22

Indeed, a gentleman to the core and was involved in the game till extremely late in his age – actively being involved with the Ex-Internationals Association.

Few may now this, but Vincent has been credited for giving the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari his career path in the game.

Much is said about the late Mokhtar Dahari and that no player like him has come through since.

But do the very people who talk about ‘Super Mokh’ know that he was not discovered by design but by chance — because of a club coach who felt Mokhtar had the talent and recommended him?

In my interview with Vincent seven  years ago for the New Straits Times, the Selangor team manager of the Burnley Cup (now Razak Cup) team, said Mokhtar was introduced by a coach of a club team by the name of Wan.

“Wan told me there was this player whom he thought was an excellent player.

“I told him to bring him for trials and the rest is history,” said the then 83-year-old Vincent.

“Without doubt, if not for this coach, Mokhtar would have been discovered later or never. This coach, who acted as a talent scout indeed played a key role,” added Vincent when talking about talent scouting in the interview.

Mokhtar himself in an exclusive interview to Suresh Kumar and Shanmuganathan for the Seladang magazine (Victoria Institution school magazine) in 1982, had acknowledged Vincent, when he asked if he was, he was popular in school:

“No, no not exactly. Well, that came only after I left school. It was during a trial to play with the Selangor Junior Squad at the Piala Razak tournament. Later, my manager, Mr M J Vincent, recommended that I join the senior squad and from then everything started coming my way.”

MJ Vincent the team manager being hoisted by Selangor team members after their Burnley Cup victory in 1974

There were many other youngsters whom Vincent had put them on their football path and among them was Datuk Yap Nyim Keong, the former FA of Malaysia general-secretary and current secretary of Mini Football Malaysia (MiFoM).

This is what Yap had to say:

“He was also my manager when I captained the victorious Selangor Burnley Cup team in 1970. He was the one who approached me to come for training with the Selangor team. I was disillusioned because I was dropped in the last minute from the team the year before. An older player was preferred on top of me, although I was in the starting 11 in all the friendly matches. My name was also in the souvenir programme.

He assured me then that this time was different and made me the captain despite the presence of other senior players who represented Malaysia in the Asian Youth competition. We remained good friends throughout and I have great respect for Mr Vincent, the gentleman. It is incredibly sad that I did not get to meet him because of the pandemic. May his Soul RIP.

Another player from Kuala Lumpur. T. Gopinath Naidu had this to say:

“Good man and manager. Sad to see him go. Thanks for everything sir. My manager for many youth tournaments from 1988-1992. We love you sir.”

Vincent second from right with the KL youth team

Probably his daughter Jenny best sums up Vincent’s life when she wrote this message for her dad on his 90^th birthday:

“Dearest Dad. I have so many things to say to you as you turn 90 today. You have been such an inspiration to many young and old. You have been a father figure to many young football players, inspiring them to be their best. You have brought your football managerial ways to our round-table family meetings too. Football runs through your veins and the passion you have for it has kept you going all this time. A heart attack in Bangkok while refereeing a game in 1969 did not set you back but you continued with football. 

Mum always and still complains that you were never home while we were growing up, but you know what, I get it now! When you have that passion, it truly drives you. I recall going to many football matches with you. From Merdeka Tournaments to Malaysia Cup matches. You have been on the team organising the Merdeka football tournaments when teams stayed at the Federal Hotel. 

MJ Vincent standing fourth from left with the FA of Selangor Council members with the Malaysia Cup

The football life continued even after your retirement from the government service. Going to the Kuala Lumpur Football Association was a thrill for me when you worked there. Being a football player from a young age you have kept up with staying fit. I remember those days when I waited in the car for you as you did the long Taichi sessions at the Selangor Chinese Recreation Club. After moving to Taman Desa, both mum and you have always kept fit by walking to the nearby park. Pottering in the garden being a favourite past time for many years. Even a bypass in 1997 never stopped you from being involved in the Ex-International Malaysian Football Association together with Uncle Clement Soosay.

MJ Vincent standing far left with ex-internationals including the likes of late Mokhtar Dahari in an undated photograph

Through all of this you lead a very colourful life with many loved ones who bring so much joy to you. Happy 90th birthday D, may God Almighty continue to bless you in abundance and I thank the Lord for every day that I can be with you. 

Dad @ M.J. Vincent you are a legend, a treasure to the football growth in Malaysia, so special to all your family and friends. Loving you always, Jenny.”

 

REST IN PEACE VINCENT. MAY THE LORD GRANT YOU ETERNAL REST.

YOU MAY BE GONE, BUT FOND MEMORIES AND YOUR WORK FOR FOOTBALL WILL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED.

MALAYSIAN HOT SPRING, SETAPAK AND MALAY MAIL FC CONNECTION SPURTS IN ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES

THE MALAYSIAN-PHILIPPINES CONNECTION AT MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES

By Tony Mariadass

Miss Universe Philippines 2021 candidate, Kheshapornam Ramachandran, who emerged Miss Iloilo/Miss Universe Philippines contest recently, is half Filipina-half Malaysian/Indian Ilongga (local Iiloilo people known as) origin.

Kheshapornam, 20, was born in Malaysia – Hot Springs, Setapak – to former Kuala Lumpur football player R. Ramachandran and his Filipina wife, Rachel Empedrad.

They were married in 1992 in Kuala Lumpur and have three children. Kheshapornam is the youngest, who went to live with her grandmother in Iloilo when she was six.

 

She has two older brothers – Rama 30 (who is a Police Officer in Iloilo) and Dinesh, 28 (who is in Malaysia and played – leftback - for Selangor U-21 team from 2007 – 2010 before an ACL injury derailed him).

Ramachandran, a City Hall enforcement officer, sadly passed away in 2006 from complications resulting after contacting chicken pox.

 

Ramachandran met his wife, also known as Michelle, when the Kuala Lumpur Malay Mail FC team was invited to play in the inaugural President’s Cup in Iloilo City in 1991.

Ramachandran squatting first from left with the KL Malay Mail FC team for the inaugural President's Cup in Iloilo, Philippines.

KLMM FC who had emerged the Kuala Lumpur FA Dunhill League champions defeating a star-studded City Hall FC, were rewarded by FA of Malaysia to play in the President’s Cup – thanks to then FAM general secretary, the late Datuk Paul Mony Samuel.

 KLMM FC had five invitation players from the KL Semi-Pro team which included Ramachandran who travelled to Iloilo and emerged runners-up to the Chinese Taipei national team losing in penalty shootout after the game ended in a deadlock.

 The other guest players from the KL team included were Nazim Din, late Tommy Chong Kok Min, Badrul Isham Jalil and Badrulsham Ahmad.

Ramachandran first from left with the Kuala Lumpur team

 It was then KLMM FC player, A. Gunasegeran who met Michelle at a shopping complex and invited her to the final with her friends.

 Later, she was invited for dinner with some of the KLMM FC players by Guna and that was where she met Ramachandran and their friendship blossomed to love and marriage.

 “I first saw Rama at the game, and he was so shinny. But I got to meet him at the dinner, and he was a shy person. He asked for my phone number, and we kept in touch,” revealed Michelle how she met her husband.

 After Philippines’ successful stint at Miss Universe 2020 with Rabiya Mateo, the Miss Universe Philippines organisation is all set to appoint its new queen to represent the country at the upcoming 70th Miss Universe to be held in Costa Rica later this year.

 Among the many names coming up for Philippine Miss Universe, is Kheshapornam.

Among her feats include winning one of the crowns for runners-up during Mutya Ng Pilipinas Gold. She was also declared ‘Best in Swimwear’ and ‘Best in Evening Gown.’

She also won the right to represent the country in Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International in 2018. It was supposed to happen during the last quarter of 2018 or early 2019. Sadly, the organisers scrapped the staging of the international contest and Kheshapornam was left with no choice but to accept the fate of having an aborted pageant mission.

The athletic Keshapornam stands 175cm tall and is an avid basketballer, model, beauty queen and student leader from Iloilo National High School. She was supposed to have graduated from the Asian College of Aeronautics this June, where she is studying aeronautics engineering, but had to be postponed as her practical at the Manila International Airport has been deferred because of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Keshapornam with her mother and brother Rama

 Keshapornam in Malaysia during her visit recently

Aside from her physical prowess and interest in sports, she possesses an inner radiance of a sweet and passionate Ilongga, a great potential that allowed her to successfully achieve various beauty titles in her young age. She aspires to become a successful beauty queen and joining the national pageant is one step in achieving that dream.

Kheshapornam believes that physical beauty fades, but a good character remain with us including our virtues and positive perspective in life. A beautiful heart can touch lives and inspire people around us.

In an interview in Philippines recently she had said that the most important reasons for her to live a meaningful life is, “to live a life of virtues and sincerity. For me, living a meaningful life means being kind, generous and always willing to help other people in simple ways.”

“I engage myself in sports because I am a wellness advocate, I prioritize my studies since this is my pathway to a better future, and I work hard to become a beauty queen because I want to use this as a platform to inspire young people, to show them that great dreams are meant to be fulfilled when we have the heart to do something about it,” she added.

 

Her mother here in Malaysia, who is working as a nurse at a private clinic is so proud of her daughter and hopes she realises her dream.

“I sent her back to be brought up my mother in Iloilo when she was six as she was a girl and difficult for me to manage after my husband passed away so suddenly,” said Michelle when contacted.

“I am immensely proud of her achievement so far both academically and her pageant pursue. She intends to join the Philippines Air Force when she graduates. My older son, Rama, is a police officer in Iloilo, while my second son is here with me in Malaysia.

“It has been tough bringing up the children as a single parent and had to work hard to earn money for their education,” said Michelle worked as a cashier in a local pub called Online for six years before becoming a nurse.

“My brother-in-law, Subramaniam, had been supportive until he retired recently, and I had to work doubly hard to make end meet.”

 

 Rama's brother Subramaniam former national player from Selangor standing fourth from right

Asked if she plans to go to the International Miss Universe Philippines qualifying contest later this year when it permits, she said: “No, I can’t stand the pressure and I don’t want to pressure on my daughter too.

“The last time I watched her in a local contest online and I was so tensed, that I decided I will never watch. I wish her the best, my prayers for her always with her and to enjoy the moment,” said Michelle who las saw her daughter before the Covid pandemic.

“I plan to visit Iloilo again when it permits as I miss my two children and my family. I always return annually.”

Dinesh too said he was proud of his sister and if possible, want to be in Manila to lend her moral support.

“I am looking forward to meeting my baby sister soon as I miss her and my brother and also want to lend her support for the contest,” said Dinesh.

 

Dinesh front first left with local team Hotspurs FC

Indeed, Kheshapornam’s family, the people of Iloilo and the community of Hot Springs in Setapak, the KLMM FC team members and even Malaysians will be rooting for her as she is of Philippines-Malaysian blood.

All the absolute best Kheshapornam!