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."

The Dope King?

Is Malaysian Athletics Union (MAU) deputy president Karim Ibrahim the dope king in our athletic scene?

The six that bolted from a doping test have blamed Karim, so has then national coach Harun Rasheed (still feel he should have come out way sooner to protect his integrity as coach)

Now, Sabahan Yunus Lasaleh - a member of the national 4x400m - blames Karim for him being tested positive for doping at the Sea Games, which the quartet won gold.

Yesterday was a dramatic day at the National Sports Council (NSC) - it was supposed to be a working committee meeting between MAU and NSC but athletes and coaches had other plans.

They wanted to hand a petition of MAU president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, demanding the resignation of Karim. It was signed by most athletes and coaches.

But the former Perlis MB got defensive.... sigh! and as usual calls to Karim went unanswered.

Read how the dram unfolded in Mailsport, NST and The Star.

It was fun nonetheless - but embarassing!

Ikut Boss??

Hmmm... If only we all could put the blame on our bosses when we break the law or do something unwarranted.

No I'm not saying former national coach Harun Rasheed (pic) took the easy way out by pinning the blame on Malaysian Athletic Union (MAU) Karim Ibrahim.

pic taken from The Malay Mail

I just find it ridiculous that one can put their own integrity on the line and go against job ethics just becasue on "Boss' orders".

Anyway if you have no idea what this post is regarding, please check my previous post.

Read today's Mailsport for Harun's response to Karim's claim that he is being used by National Sports Council (NSC)

Will the drama in athletics ever stop?

Nope! I don't see it coming to a halt any time soon. Sad though...

So what's new?

pic taken from The Malay Mail.

Their latest mess? - former national chief coach Harun Rasheed blaming deputy president Karim Ibrahim for the six that sprinted away from the doping test as highlighted by NST.

Meanwhile Karim insists that this was a ploy by some top brass in National Sports Council (NSC) to remove him from office. 

Sigh! grow-up la... Just because you can't work with someone you don't go trying to remove him. 

Reminds me of my kid years.... "Don't fren with A kay. I fought with him"

Anyway Karim tells his side of the story in today's Mailsport.

Surprise! Surprise!

The press conference held by Dr. Iskandar Abudllah did not go as expected.

Why?

I would love to pose the question to National Sport Council director general Datuk Zolkples Embong. It was he who spoke on Iskandar's behalf here and it certainly backfired.

Read the following story to enlightened yourself. Please enlighten me as well.

by VIJHAY VICK

KUALA LUMPUR

It has all the ingredients of a political game - only that the setting is the national athletic scene.

Yesterday, it was Malaysian Athletic Union's (MAU) out-going general manager Dr. Iskandar Abdullah's turn to jump into the arena. However, it did not go down as speculated to.

It was expected that Iskandar would reveal some insight information on the workings in MAU as National Sports Council (NSC) director general Datuk Zolklpes Embong had told the press so a day earlier.

However, Iskandar denied the allegations by Zolkples and strongly stated that there is no office politics in his removal as general manager.

"Everthing was done is good faith and there is no bad blood between me and MAU deputy president Karim Ibrahim," said Iskandar.

Zolkples had told a Malay tabloid that Iskandar had called him regarding the matter and informed him that Karim had asked to cheat on several occasions and often took decisions against decision taken by the MAU council.

"Nothing of such happened. When I was asked to resign I was sad but accepted it with full gratitude. It was Karim who offered me this job as we had previously worked together," said the 55-year-old.

Iskandar begun work at MAU on August 1 this year after Karim convinced him to leave the government service.

However, there is suspicion as to his role in MAU despite being acknowledged as the new MAU  general manager by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

Despite being appointed by MAU, many were not aware of this. Infact the supposedly former general manager M. Latchumanam was still around.

It was Latchumanan who sent Karim's press statement to the media last week - in the capacity of MAU general manager.

"He was supposed to leave but was always around. I don't know what's the situation with him," said Iskandar.

No disrespect... but errr... and who is Dr. Iskandar?

I mean no disrespect to anyone with this post. Just my take or rather how I see things to appear. Please correct me if I'm wrong.


Okay now that the formalities have been done, let's start.

Let's all admit, our national athletics scene is in a pathetic state. Forget the never ending drama between National Sports Council (NSC) and Malaysian Athletics Union (MAU). Results produced has been deteriorating. Perhaps partly due to the the on-going feud.

One thing is that MAU president Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and deputy president Karim Ibrahim have always been on the same page and both command each other's respect - just that one is more aggressive than the other. No prize in guessing who.

Karim did send out an Press Statement announcing a proposal to severe ties with NSC while Shahidan said MAU can't ditch NSC for National Sports Institute (ISN). I don't think both are saying the total opposite.

Some have got the whole idea of the proposal wrong.

Of course ISN cannot fund MAU and only NSC can do that. But what it probably meant was that for MAU to work directly with ISN who then liaises with NSC for funding. NSC should merely facilitate the channeling of funds.

Since NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong can't work with Karim, who is elected, this proposal should be given a go. Anyway more on this in time to come I hope.

Meanwhile something else has started within MAU - I see it as just politics and probably instigated by a third party - no reason for Zolkples to speak on someone's behalf.

Read here.

Was having a conversation with a fellow journalist, whose main bid is athletics, and we both were questioning who Dr. Iskandar Abdullah was. The MAU general manager? but what is the position of Latchumanan Manickam? - it was he who sent the Karim's press statement on Thursday - in the capacity of GM as stated in the email.

We were confused!

Anyway Iskandar is having a press conference later at 11.30am at the Commonwealth Hall in NSC.

I'm so 'excited' to know more that I can't sleep :p

Let's have a debate (continuation)

pic taken from The Malay Mail

So the national athletic body (MAU) wants the Sports Ministry to do away with the National Sports Council (NSC) and only work with National Sports Institute (ISN) and Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

Karim does have valid points that ISN know better of the athletes' need. But with task of conducting medical research and etc already on their hands, won't it an extra burden on their shoulders.

Anyway OCM can help out too perhaps - that's the opinion of MAU.

Read here to know more of what Karim told me on Tuesday and here for the Press Statement sent by MAU last night.

Let's have a debate

When Malaysian Athletic Union (MAU) - yes they have taken out the 'Amateur' - and National Sports Council (NSC) go to 'war' they often talk about different matters.

Like MAU deputy president Karim Ibrahim once told me - "I'm talking about apple, he's talking about pineapple"

Anyway that aside - an SMS where sent out regarding a supposed 'live debate' between NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong and Karim on a radio channel. That didn't materialise and Karim wasn't too happy with what the DG told 'Kerusi Panas' on Radio 24. SMS' were then sent out attacking Zolkples.

Well shall we get to the bottom of this? - and put an end to all the drama.

Why not you two have a debate? - have a go at each other and then let a third party come and play the mediator role.

Because as my colleague Haresh Deol puts it on Foul!, It's not funny anymore.

I did have a conversation with Karim yesterday, he is welcoming a debate. Zolkples, the ball is your court.

Meanwhile MAU is considering endorsing a proposal on how sports should be run in the country. If it's for the better then why not?

Sorry I can't say anything more as I'm waiting for The Malay Mail to carry it. And/Or maybe it will be up on Bottom Line soon.

It has some connection with a column carried by Utusan today - "persatuan sukan dan MOM boleh hidup and berdiri secara sendiri tanpa MSN tetapi MSN tidak boleh hidup tanpa persatuan sukan dan MOM"

In the meantime I hope there is a debate between Karim and Zolkples. I'll go grab popcorn and hope to get the best seats for the drama. Care to join me?

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.