.....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.

Blame Rajemah, NSC and OCM

MAAU

So Karim Ibrahim says he and MAAU are not to be blamed for the S. Kannathasan, P. Yuvaaraj, Schzuan Ahmad Rosely, Mohd Yunus Lasaleh being unable to collect their 4x400m men's relay.

Read what Karim told The Malay Mail here. Read this and that too. 

Yea right!

It's always easier pointing fingers at others. How convenient!

Dear MAAU, please clean-up - everyone, athletes included, are fed up with how the association is being run.

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.

Hockey fans back?

pic taken from www.sultanjohorcup.com.my

One thing that surprised many at the Sultan of Johor Cup was the attendance. (pic above taken during Malaysia's 5-1 win over India on Friday)

It filled the stadium on several occasions and put the Malaysia Hockey League season total attendance to shame.

The Project 2013 boys kept to their side of the bargain, providing entertaining display and a fighting spirit to the delight of the fans...

There's more on this here and also what captain Faeez had to say of the fans.