Vindicated??

Former national chief coach Harun Rasheed (pic) feels like a free man - thanks to the national coaches and athletes.

pic taken from The Malay Mail

Their decision to hand a petition to MAU president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim demanding the resignation of deputy president Karim Ibrahim and implicating the former coaching committee chairman for the doping scandals that has rocked the athlete scene makes Harun vindicated.

However was it the right thing to do? - considering that the B samples of Yunus Lasaleh, Sea Games 4x400m gold medal winner, had yet to be made official by Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM). 

Harun for one doesn't think so.

But that has already been done and no point dwelling on it. What's going to happen now?

"Whoever is responsible for the doping should face the consequences," said Harun

But he also believes this saga will serve as a lesson to everyone.

"We should stand for what we think is right. Hopefully in the future athletes will be bolder."

Meanwhile Malacca AAA secretary Rengan Pakkri vows that the State will be behind Karim as he is Innocent until proven guilty.

"He is from our State. We must back him as we are only hearing one side of the story," said Rengan.

"It is also possible that NSC are manipulating the athletes. They always want to control things. But if he is guilty then he must not contest in the next elections."

Malaysian 'fans' expect too much

pic taken from ecofrenone.files.wordpress.com

So it's already well reported that Malaysia lost in the Olympic Qualifiers group match last night.

Read here and here for that. Simply put, fatigue played a role too.

However, some fans are just waiting to criticise the team for this and that - mind you these are fans who had just jumped onto the bandwagon, and before the SEA Games probably only knew Safee Sali and Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.

Had a conversation with one yesterday. One who watched the entire match, while I only saw bits of it due to other commitments.

Anyway this one is for you!

I was told Malaysia played badly, couldn't string passes together, couldn't hold the ball at all... in short a disappointment. All this I was told in comparison to how they played against Indonesia at the SEA Games final.

When i tried to explained things, there wasn't a healthy debate. Instead, I was told I couldn't talk because I didn't see the full game. Well now I have. Ready? - anyway my side remains unchanged.

Don't get me wrong please, I'm not defending Ong Kim Swee or Harimau Malaya. Just stating facts and opinion.

First of all we shouldn't be expecting instant success - to which i was told at least we should be able to pass the ball well. Granted Harimau Malaya do not have the best of passing.

Since Malaysia won the Asean Cup last year, interest in the national team has been peaking. Sadly, people want the Tigers to suddenly have fluid moves and be entertaining. Cannot la!

Against Indonesia, it was a regional battle. It is a much easier battle compared to Syria. We have moved from competing in SEA to the Asian stage. We cannot be expecting too much. Progress has to be step by step.

Btw FIFA World Rankings put Syria at 115 while Malaysia is at 151. Ok that's for senior sides but at least it can serve as an indicator.

The boys were tired. You can't play your best barely 48hours after playing a final that went into extra time and then penalties. Even European clubs and nations don't do that. But yet you expect Malaysia to play the same level in both matches, and against stronger opponents?

Okay one last thing. Since you at the very least expect the same type of passing? Think of this - when Manchested United played Chelsea they dominated the match with excellent passing. Yet when they played Barcelona in the Champions League final, I hate to admit this but they were totally outclassed, couldn't get their passes right, etc.

Same difference!

Yet, even with all the above said words I doubt it will be accepted by some. Well I'm not interested in a debate anymore. Have said what I wanted to say.

In the shadows

It seems that after Malaysia won the SEA Games football final - everything else during the Games didn't matter

No one cared about the other gold medals won. Why? The football medal was the mother of all gold medals.

While many 'worship' the team, it must be noted that the 11 men on the field was merely another contributor to Malaysia's gold medal tally. Btw anyone took interest in medals tally after 'that' gold medal? Nope! I for one didn't hear anyone talk about it.

 Here's the medal tally 

I feel for the other 58 medals contributor. Suddenly their achievement didn't matter to most outside their respective sports. 

One athlete contacted me asking if it was true the footballers were getting RM30,000 each for their effort, while the rest are only getting RM 10,000.

Yes, they are getting RM30,000 for each member of the team. However, it is from the FA of Malaysia itself and not the Government or National Sport Council (NSC). I hope the players don't get spoilt though.

I long for the day Malaysian football reach greater heights. The SEA Games to me is just a stepping stone - not goal itself. Being best in the region should be nothing great - considering we have more resources than most countries in South East Asia. 

Because our football has been in the dumps before 2009, this SEA Games is a big achievement. 

Because so the plight of our 4x400m relay team is quickly forgotten. I hope sincerely hope the culprits for their medal bungle are made known.

Pic taken from NST

Food for thought : Why is that winning the football gold medal in Olympics seen as just another gold medal and not much hype? but for the SEA Games it is everything.

Indonesia v Malaysia - the ugly truth

I'll have to admit I never gave Malaysia a chance of defending their SEA Games title. Not often am I glad to be proven wrong but this time I'm more than DELIGHTED...

However, this victory has been marred by the death of two Indonesian fans with several others injured. While our papers will be filled with the young Tigers' moments of glory, it must not be forgotten that as much as football is a beautiful game it can be an ugly game too. Those two did not have to lose their lives.

Read here on the death of Reno and an unidentified victim.

It's has been said that keys to the ambulance were lost. The Jakarta Globe reported the ambulance, carrying both the bodies, could not get out of the stadium due to the crowd and cars. I hope the Indonesian press highlight and get a response to this.

Read here for Mazidul Akmal Sidik's version of what's going on in Indonesia.

For the Malaysian team, all work begins from here. Where do we go next? 

We have proven that we are the best football side in the region at this level yet again. Now we need to build on this and dominate the region. The Tigers had won the Asean Cup last year but Singapore raised questions to our strength - Let's go and defend the Cup next year. 

Back to the match, it was largely disappointing, unlike what Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told TV3. Ong Kim Swee's boys did good to create chances but finishing was lacking.

They must forget about this victory and concentrate for the 2012 Olympic qualifying group match against Syria on Wednesday. While qualifying  may be an arduous task, a good performance is needed to move forward.

Dear Kim Swee, please drop Ahmad Fakri Saarani for he could have cost Malaysia the SEA Games gold medal. Not only did he miss several sitters but also missed a penalty that added nerves to us Malaysians. Certainly the leading candidate for the worst player of the match 'award'.

On a side note it was good seeing Malaysians from all walks of life cheering on the young Tigers on. My twitter timeline was filled with updates of the match. Even to the penalty kicks. It's 3.53am now and I still see tweets regarding the match. Who says we no longer care of our local sports scene?

Anyone noticed the empty stands at the Gelora Bung Karno after the final whistle? At least no uncivillised lot was booing the national anthem of another country - like the Indonesian fans had done to Malaysia in various sports during the Games.

eh stop scratching your balls la. Not in public at least

Food for thought : Why is it that the very same people who claim there is no interest in local sports taking interest of it on social sites? 

I'm dumbfounded on this. Anyone?

Malaysia v Indonesia (Nov 21)

oh no it's Paul at his best. Eh wait didn't Paul die already?

Anyway lets all hope the above is not how the SEA Games football final ends up.

It promises to be a cracker - both on and off the field - for both good and bad reasons.

So Gelora Bung Karno will be hostile as usual - boing the Negaraku, insulting our players and fans, showing vulgar signs and perhaps also threatening the safety of Malaysians. 

Unruly lot? Yes. Are we any better? Nope!

This brings me back to the Pre-World Cup qualifiers we had not too long ago where we played Singapore. The return leg was at Bukit Jalil. While Singapore's national anthem was being played, Malaysian fans, not all i must say, booed and insulted Singapore.

After Singapore had progressed on aggregate, Singapore fans were held back for more than an hour fearing their safety may be compromised had they been allowed to leave early. In fact there we a certain group of fans throwing all sorts of insults and threatening to burn them as they walk out of the stadium. 

So why is it that many are talking about our national anthem being booed? Malaysia does it too. 

Btw I'm curious as to how the players will be transported to the stadium tomorrow. Amoured tankers again? - ala the Asean Cup 2010 final.

One thing for sure should Malaysia win, we'll all have a story to tell.

Go get em' Tigers

.....and it can only get Worst

I just received a text from Mazidul Akmal Sidik, referring me to his blog.

Some 1300 SEA Games volunteers were told by SMS that their services were no longer required despite having a contract till Nov 22. - some400 took matters into their own hands and gathered in front of the media centre.

Now the entire SEA knows - unless of course they've been living in timbuktu and have no access to what's happening around.

This called for the presence of security forces around Media Centre to prevent any unruly behaviour. 

They now demand to be paid in full and for the Games committee to be transparent.... or else they will gather in front of the media centre again.

Despite many wanting to forget this Games, it will be the most remembered - for all the wrong reasons that is. 

Besides basic facilities, the fundamentals as host is missing. 

1. A Malaysian photographer not allowed into athletes area for aquatics - when it has not been an issue previusly. Read it here - there's more to it.

2. Mix up of flag as seen here.

3. Fans disrespecting our Negaraku. - well honestly we deserved this. Malaysian fans booed Singapore's national anthem during the pre-World Cup qualifying match in Bukit Jalil not too long ago.

4. Stadium emcee taking the mic to cheer on Indonesia against Malaysia - now that's a first. No class!

*all this are based on what I heard from my fellow members of the Media who are in either Palembang or Jakarta, frustrated and shocked.

My guess is Indonesia can dream of hosting a sport bigger then the SEA Games as they have failed to showcase capability during this regional games.

On a side note, cheer Malaysia on later at 5pm when we play Myanmar for a place in the SEA Games football final.

A never ending story!

Noraseela after winning 400m hurldes at 2009 Laos Sea Games

The national athletic scene never fails to disappoint me. I enjoy covering athletics - the drama that unfolds between Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union (MAAU), National Sports Council (NSC) and to a lesser extend the athletes.

It brought me no surprise when I saw The Star's back page minutes ago - but for the first time I felt disappointed not being able to cover the SEA Games. Click here to know what unfolded in Palembang.

Hats off to Noraseela Khalid for voicing out - most athletes are to afraid to speak up against MAAU for fear of a backlash. This includes several athletes who bring back honours for the country.

It was good for her to stand up for 4x400m gold medal winning team S. Kannathasan, P. Yuvaraaj, Schzuan Ahmad Rosely and Mohd Yunus Lasaleh. The quartet were not given a chance for a medal finish and was also a last minute inclusion to the Games. They had to return to Malaysia even before the prize giving ceremony as their flight was already booked.

What a shame MAAU! - why is it that athletes fly back earlier but officials stay on until the end?

MAAU and Noraseela are not in the best of terms. She was shouted at previously at the MAAU office when she went to ask about her welfare. All this because Karim Ibrahim sees her as the golden daughter of NSC director general Zolklpes Embong, oh he's no saint too.

I hope more athletes will come out of the shadows and reveal their dissatisfaction. Maybe then something can be done - only maybe.

the subjective sabotage

There's something about subjective sports that settled my doubts but surprised me nevertheless. I was told that more often than not the medal distribution was pre-determined.

As much as i find this hard to believe, i recalled the 2001 KL SEA Games  - which Malaysia won 111 gold medals and emerged champions. I can recall seeing almost every other subjective sport gold medal going to Malaysia.

The Games before that, in Brunei in 1999 - Malaysia managed 57 Gold medals... in 2003, only 43.

We were exceptionally better on home soil? I would love to say that. However, I was looking at the medal standings for the SEA Games since 2001. Only during the last edition a host did not emerge overall winners with a 100plus gold medal return and emerge overall champions.

Is it already fixed? - i would love to see someone come out of the closet on this.

Meanwhile national karate coach P. Arivalagan believes his women's kumite team have been sabotaged by a Malaysian officials.

Read here for more on this.

After the saga involving the coach and Malaysian Karate Federation in January, this could be a way to get him out. Key word - 'COULD'

Read what transpired in January here, here and here.

And this is what Arivalagan told me last week.

Was Palembang ever ready for SEA?

UPDATED
Just got off the phone with Mazidul Akmal Sidik, who is in Palembang covering the SEA Games for TV3.

Our coversation lasted a while - mainly revolving around the incapability of the host.

In a nutshell, "This is probably the worst organised Games," he said.

While he doesn't expect much from the organisers, he believes that basic facilities should be present. Transportation is in a mess, Internet connection is in shambles and the International Broadcast Centre is a disappointment.

A Singapore TV channel and another country,  of which Mazidul is not too sure of the identity, suffered a drop in signal/coverage while live on air.

Also there is no coordination of the events and proper scheduling is almost non-existant. let's just not go on about the team sheet, match list, etc.

Word is that media organisations, initiated by Thailand, are planning to send a petition to the host stating their dissatisfaction towards the organisation of the Games.


Previously
My tongue is tied here - I can't say much as I'm not one of the foreign media covering the regional games. Hence you decide

pic taken from www.mazidulakmal.com

oh wait, are those our reporters sitting on the floor due to lack of tables and chairs?

"Bapak lihat, Palembang sememangnya tidak bersedia menganjurkan acara sukan ini tetapi bak dipaksa supaya bersetuju. Saya tinggal di daerah ini, jalan menjadi kelam-kabut. Pihak pemerintah hanya sekadar inginkan acara ini berlangsung sukses tanpa mempunyai perancangan terbaik agar tidak menyusahkan penduduk tempatan," ujarnya

well that was a excerpt taken from Mazidul Akmal's website... read here and here for the full version...

While the above two links may be less on sports and more of the people in Palembang. The Star's Kng Zheng Guan gives his view on the Games and the opening ceremony. 

Read here and tell me if Palembang was ever ready to be co-host for the SEA Games. 

Weren't they initially supposed to be the sole host? hmmmm

Leave Khairul Fahmi alone!

The following two pictures surfaced a forth night ago... I don't see a big deal, but obviously some people do. Why? Some trying to appear holier than thou!

Khairul Fahmi or commonly known as Apek wants this issue to be put to bed. After all he had already come out saying he doesn't drink. Read here. Give him the benefit of the doubt.

The pictures do not show him having a drink or two - just a Black Label bottle on the table and there's a huge fuss. Since the said place is Werner's in Jalan Changkat, Bukit Bintang, why not those making noise go check out the place on a friday/saturday night.

pic taken from www.harimaumalaya.com

Khairul is currently with the SEA Games squad in Indonesia - defending the title we won in Laos. He wants to concentrate on the task at hand and not battle his private life. Plus after the SEA Games, he will be with the Olympic qualifying squad.

Here are some snips from Twitter 

I'm sure if Khairul Fahmi fails to perform many will jump the gun and refer his form to his private life. Shallow!

Fact is Apek has been overworked this season. Let's see - Kelantan No.1, National senior squad No.1 - all friendlies and pre World Cup qualifying, National Under 23 No.1 - friendly matches,SEA Games, Olympic qualifiers.

Khairul Fahmi to suffer burnout? I hope not - to save him from unnecessary backlash.

Who are we to judge another? Let the One above decide.

Cheers!

Malaysia 2 Thailand 1

Malaysia could have had only themselves to be blamed had they not won this.

No doubt our young tigers played a much better game compared to the lackluster performance against Singapore a couple of days back.

However, the scoreline failed to justify Malaysia's dominance in the match. It could and probably should have been a three or four goal margin win for Kim Swee's boys. 

The young boys, unsurprisingly, got either nervous in front of goal and/or just lack the finishing touches.

Thankfully a late goal by Izzaq Faris ensured we picked up 3 points. Baddrol Bakhtiar scored the other in the first half.

The quest to defend the SEA Games medal is on? too early to say

Next up - Cambodia @5pm on Nov 13

I hope to stay on

Karate coach had previous been given the boot.... but some splendid drama unfolded later on involving the exponents and Malaysia Karate Federation ensured that was not the end to it...

                                    Arivalagan with several exponents. Pic taken from www.n9kini.com


An agreement was struck for Arivalagan to stay on until the end of SEA Games. However, there has not been any talk about a replacement and Arivalagan is unsure of his future. But one thing clear he believes he'll be back as coach someday even if asked to leave after the regional games.

Read what Arivalagan had to say about his possible departure and the SEA Games here

If you have no clue what transpired some months ago read this, this and that....