Ramlan moves on... with the Sports Minister.

So former National Sports Institute (ISN) CEO Dr. Ramlan Aziz is ready take office as the Special Advisor to the Sports Minister.

Pursuant to a Sports247 reports here and then here the next day, Ramlan was sent the following text. 

Good evening Sir, would you care to comment on Sports247's story regarding you being replaced?. Minister was quoted saying, Shapawi's appointment has no controversy and the focus is on 2016 Olympics which needs immediate attention. This can be seen as if you have been made the scapegoat and that u have been replaced as actions need to be taken for next Games. This also means that you being replaced is the action needed.. -Regards, Vijhay Vick.

and this was the reply sent by the new Special Advisor

My appointment opens the way for the new CEO of ISN to concentrate on the administrative and financial management aspects. My appointment underscores YB Minister's seriousness ineffecting innovative ideas into launching Malaysian sports performance to a higher level and to glean sustainable success through application of science and technology in high performance sport and the provision of world class healthcare and injury management plus antidoping for our national athletes. My task generally is to oversee the strategic planning, implementation and effective monitoring & evaluation of systems, processes and putting in place the right culture for Malaysian athletes to excel and succeed on the world stage in a sustainable and meaningful way. The benefits of all this work at high performance level should also be harnessed usefully to benefit society at large in terms of improving health and social indices towards a progressive, harmonious and healthy society, with the involvement of partners and stakeholders in the industry and all governmental and non-governmental organisations, both in Malaysia and internationally.

 Sports247 has the full story here

and for those who have missed the turn of things, click here

The Scapegoat of the London Olympics.

Is it really in us (Malaysia) to make someone a scapegoat for a failure or wrong doing?

The just-concluded Olympics in London is no different. But a rather surprising scapegoat candidate has emerged, so it seems based on some quotes carried by Sports247.

Yes, despite the one silver and one bronze return it was still a failure. No disrespect to Lee Chong Wei and Pandelela Rinong, who gave their all for the country, but was the RM20million spent on the Road to London programme money well spent if looked at the Games in its entirety?

Sports Minister Datuk Seri Shabery Cheek was quoted saying “The appointment of (National Sports Council Athletes Preparation Director) Shapawi to replace (National Sports Institute Chief Executive Officer) Dr Ramlan, is not controversial. For me it is to focus on the 2016 Olympics, which needs immediate action."

What does this mean?

The way I see it, action needs to be taken hence Dr. Ramlan had to be replaced. Does this mean, the humble man did not do his job well?

Sports247 has the full story here

So Shapawi has taken over and Dr. Ramlan has been appointed as Special Advisor to the Sports Minister/Ministry despite discussions still on-going over his position.

How is it that one can be appointed despite the position being unclear?

If haven't been following the chain of event over the matter, Foul! has it all.

I was torn between two graphics. So here's the other one.

Forget Rio, the Olympic gold may take longer than that

Never have we been more expectant/hopeful of the ever elusive Olympic gold medal.

The just-concluded Games in London was Malaysia's best chance in hearing the Negaraku playing at an Olympic event. Yet, we put all hope on a sole individual. One that was tamed at the previous Games in Beijing four years ago.

Whether he succumbed to pressure or the injury that nearly ended this Olympic dreams played a part is something only Lee Chong Wei can answer. But one thing is for sure, the 29-year-old Perak-born-Penang-bred shuttler gave his all.

But what about the rest? Did they live up to expectations or failed to deliver. To be frank, some did while other medal hopefuls just let themselves down.

If there was one athlete that will receive the adulation from Malaysia is none other than Sarawakian Pandelela Rinong, whose last two dives in the women's 10m platform earned her a place in the national history books by being our first female athlete to stand on the podium at the biggest stage of them all. (let's count official medals only please)

Read my full wrap-up on Malaysia's Olympics campaign on Sports247 - to those that have yet to hear the news, Sept 1 it's senior writer, Sports247 for yours truly.

ps. Here's a nice color story on Pamg Joheng, our diving queen's dad. This NST piece reminds me of something The Malay Mail would have carried. Read A father's Olympian sacrifice.

Shahidan and Karim on head-on?

They once had each other's back.

But have not spoken of each other much of late.

In fact Malaysia Athletics Federation (MAF) president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and deputy Karim Ibrahim could be on a head-on, according to a source within the national body.

Sport247 has it all here.

Meanwhile, it was previously reported that Karim is ready to serve for another term, if elected, despite the ever pending doping inquiry on him.

Also on Sport247 here