.....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.

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