The Devils are coming...

It was in 1981 that my late Ayah took me to Merdeka Stadium for a friendly match. There was this team called Manchester United playing a Malaysian side. The touring Red Devils played a series of matches in the country.

Ayah knew my interest in football because I used to hog the idiot box whenever a football match was on, be they delayed, live matches or weekly round-ups and the passion was translated into action on the pitch in front of our house. That was also the year Ayah and Mak bought me the book European Cup, 1955-1980, a great hardcover co-authored by John Rowlinson and the No 1 TV commentator, John Motson.

This pic was not superimposed...

Much to my excitement and awe, players I watched only on Big League Soccer and read about in Shoot! were playing in the flesh, the likes Martin Buchan, Lou Macari, Garry Birtles, Kevin Moran, Steve Coppell and Joe Jordan...though they were nowhere near the standards of Liverpool then (how times have changed).

loose cannon is as tall as former ManYoo right flanker Gordon Strachan

When United returned to our shores in 1995 courtesy of Glamoir World of Sports (how are you Datuk Seri Abdullah Hishan Hashim?), I was already a football writer at Berita Harian, carefully nurtured by Hishamuddin Aun (bodek). The Red Devils, without Eric and Fergie, were taken to Balai Berita, where I remember A Kadir Jasin and Ahmad A Talib reigning supreme as hosts for the occasion. They played two matches against a Selangor selection.

...and slightly taller than Peter Schmeichel. Can you recognise Beckham and Martin Edwards?

By the time Fergie unveiled van Nistelrooy and Veron at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in 2001, I was writing for the nation's No 1 tabloid, the Malay Mail. Malaysia got hammered 6-0 and the crowd bore witness to Giggs' frightening pace, he was as quick as Watson Nyambek...and Aziz Ismail had no chance to snap at his heels. After the match, Allan Harris' face was as red as Beckham's jersey.

Posing, not buying...

Covering the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 was definitely one of my most memorable overseas assignments. But I was too busy (haha) keeping tabs on Malaysian athletes to pay a visit to the Old Trafford megastore. But I did complete the journey, as you can see from the pictures above.

The loose cannon remains the odd one out. The rest (from left) Datuk Dell Akbar Khan, Datuk Yap Nyim Keong and Datuk Zolkples Embong are die-hard ManYoo fans. Pic circa 2000. Also in picture, if you can find them, are Steven van Huizen, Datuk James Selvaraj, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi and Musa Noor Mohammad.

Datuk Razali Ibrahim (left) and Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein and son celebrating loose cannon and Harian Metro's Azahar Mohd Taib's gold medal exploits in Manchester

Manchester was memorable for a lot of reasons. One of them was Amirul Hamizan Ibrahim's triple gold medal feat. And the small group of print journalists made it a fun trip that was hard to delete from my memory bank. Lazarus Rokk (NST), Badrulhisham Othman (BH), Azahar Mohd Taib (HM), Eric Samuel and Rizal Abdullah (The Star) and Khalid Saad (Utusan Malaysia). NSTP too dispatched two photographers - Khalid Redza and Kamaruddin Ahmad.

When Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Azalina Othman Said and Khairy Jamaluddin said their piece in wanting ManYoo to come for the 2007 trip that clashed with AFC's showpiece event, the Asian Cup, I chose to highlight the fact the Government had given their word not to promote any event during that period. There was a contract that needed to be honoured and I stood by this principle in going against the current. Naturally many labelled me as an AFC lackey. Azalina's legal background did not help her much then. Khairy was of course being biased because he's a United fan and I was told he had planned to host a dinner reception for the stellar cast from Old Trafford.

For ManYoo's fourth trip to Malaysia since 1981, I intend to buy the cheapest ticket and sit down quietly at one corner and savour the moment. Or perhaps FAM can issue a pass for me?

Shabery needs to be schooled

YB is widely accepted as an abbreviation for Yang Berhormat but as our faith towards politicians began to wear thin, it can also mean Yang Bekerja, Yang Bodoh, Yang Bongok, Yang Bingai...anyway Sports Minister Datuk Shabery Cheek has my sympathies.

Notice the way he was put on a pedestal here and here before he was brought back to earth with a bump here and here all by the same paper, the paper I used to work for. Athletes reacted angrily and he has been portrayed as if he is at loggerheads with Education Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin. Shabery needs to know when to open his mouth and when to keep his mouth shut. Otherwise it's going to be an open season for many!

"Report card" final Piala FA

Unit berkuda bersiap siaga kira-kira jam 6.30 petang

Dari meja media

Gelanggang dipenuhi merah...

...dan kuning

Kesebelasan permulaan K. Devan

Team kuning dapat RM15,000 seorang, manakala yang merah bakal ke Old Trafford Ogos depan

kalau penyokong Kelantan nak ke Old Trafford, sediakan RM5,000

Hos Wisel Penamat di TV1 malam itu, Izuan Mohd Nor dan Harmi Taazim Mohamad

...bersama tetamu Azman Eusoff dan loose cannon

Maaf kerana lambat mengemas kini blog ini. Belum terlambat mengucapkan syabas kepada Selangor atas kemenangan tempoh hari, manakala Kelantan harus belajar menjadikan kekalahan sebagai satu pengajaran dan bangkit mengucup kegemilangan.

Reviu yang tidak seberapa ini:

Penganjuran - Aku berikan A kepada semua pihak terbabit, antaranya FAM, pihak berkuasa seperti polis, Rela, Kompleks Sukan Negara dan semua yang menjayakannya.

Suasana - Aku berikan A kepada penyokong Kelantan khasnya kerana berduyun-duyun memenuhi Stadium Nasional. Penyokong Selangor pula sudah biasa dengan keadaan ini tapi syabas juga kepada mereka kerana menyumbang kepada satu "atmosphere" yang luar biasa.

Pengadil - Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh, aku doakan agar cita-citamu mengibar Jalur Gemilang di Piala Dunia tahun depan dimakbulkan. Selepas 30 minit baru guru ini melayangkan kad kuning, biarpun sebelum itu beberapa "tackle" keras dilakukan. Subkhiddin mengawal permainan dengan tenang, kemas dan kelasss. Aku berikan dia A.

Game - alamak, ini yang kurang sedap. Banyak umpanan kurang tepat dilakukan, manakala kukira paling banyak siri hantaran tepat disempurnakan lapan kali sebelum dirampas atau dipatahkan pihak lawan. Acapkali kedua-dua pasukan melakukan route one agar cepat ke kotak lawan. C

Man of the match - Amri Yahyah licik sepanjang permainan dan siapa sangka dia mampu merebahkan badannya untuk menanduk bola ke gawang pada masa tambahan, namun Hardi Jaafar menyempurnakan fungsi di posisi Makelele, mengejar Indra Putra Mahayuddin dan sentiasa membantu pertahanan. Kalau Kelantan ditakdir juara, gelaran harus singgah di bahu penjaga gawangnya, Shahrizan Ismail. Hardi A, Amri B+.

Pemain paling malang - Indra Putra Mahayuddin melihat percubaan pada separuh masa pertama singgah di palang dan dua jam kemudian, penaltinya pula mencium palang. Dari segi effort, kuberi B+.

Kesudahannya, bola sepak Malaysia masih bernafas tetapi ikut team tertentu.

Previu Selangor mln Kelantan

Aku masih dalam perut ibuku kali terakhir Kelantan mara ke final pertandingan bola sepak tempatan.

Perak mengecewakan Kelantan 2-0 pada final Piala Malaysia di Stadium Merdeka pada Julai 1970.

Kelantan cukup disegani ketika itu. Bayangkan barisan tengah dianggotai dua pemain kecil tapi licik, Hamzah Hussein dan Wan Zawawi Wan Yusoff manakala Mahadi Yusof, Nik Leh Nik Man dan Dali Omar mengepalai jentera serangan. Pada usia 18 tahun, Wan Hassan Ibrahim menjadi tonggak pertahanan.

Dali tampil dengan rekod yang dicemburui kawan dan ditakuti lawan. Daripada 28 gol yang dicetak oleh Kelantan, 21 daripadanya hasil sentuhan tajam Dali. Atas padang licin, Dali menggegar palang pada minit ke-30 manakala Wan Zawawi gagal menyempurnakan empat peluang keemasan.

Wan Zawawi

Berbeza pula dengan Baharin Khamis. Dia menjadi pemusnah impian Kelantan dengan dua gol selang dua minit. Antara pemain Perak ketika itu ialah Wong Kam Fook, V. Krishnasamy, Rahim Abdullah dan M. Karathu.

Itu cerita lama. Kita fast forward hampir empat dekad kemudian, Kelantan 2009 disifatkan selaku Manchester City Malaysia kerana berjaya menarik minat pemain berstatus bintang.

Bergelar Red Warriors, Kelantan mempunyai misi yang terbuku di hati. Kerap merasakan dianak tiri oleh FAM, kemenangan Sabtu ini pasti mengubat duka akibat digantung daripada beraksi di depan penyokong sendiri di gelanggang yang satu ketika dulu boleh dikatakan setiap bulan menjadi persinggahanku.

Hishamuddin Aun, ketika itu pengarang sukan Berita Harian, selalu menghantar aku ke negeri tanah rendah sekebun bunga untuk meliput pasukan bimbingan Mahadi Yusof.

Tarian Alex Freeman, kekentalan Edward Aboegye dan kegarangan Isahaq Debrah yang dibancuh bersama bakat tempatan seperti sweeper, Zahasmi Ismail dan penjaring terbanyak musim 1994, Hashim Mustapha, mengangkat Kelantan sebagai antara pasukan pilihan. Aku seronok bukan kepalang berulang dari Hotel Perdana ke Stadium Sultan Muhammad ke-IV. Rupa-rupanya, semua itu hanyalah lakaran di atas kertas sedang permukaan rumput mencoretkan cerita berbeza.

Aku bercadang ke Stadium Nasional Sabtu ini. Aku jangka stadium akan dipenuhi penyokong kedua-dua pasukan, dengan jumlah penonton mencecah 60,000. Sudah lama aku tidak merasakan kemeriahan sedemikian. Demam bola melanda Kelantan nampaknya dan antara pencetus ini sudah tentu Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

Namun aku ramal Selangor menang tipis dan bersetuju dengan pendapat Setiausaha Agung FAS, Hamidin Mohd Amin, Amri Yahyah berpotensi muncul wira. Sebenarnya barisan Selangor memiliki ramai match-winner, antaranya Safee Sali, Amri, D. Surendran, R. Surendren, Amirulhadi Zainal dan Hardi Jaafar.

Satu faktor yang dijangka memihak kepada Selangor ialah pengalaman pemainnya. Kelantan lebih dahagakan kejayaan tapi jika pemainnya gagal mengawal tekanan beraksi dalam final, tidak mustahil Gergasi Merah merebut kesempatan.

Kelantan 2009

Apapun aku kagum dengan anak buah Peter Butler.

"Selangor memiliki pemain kualitas, tapi kita tidak ada sebarang rencana mengawal mereka. Pemain saya menaiki hurdle (overcame a hurdle) di Seremban dan bersemangat untuk final," kata Butler dengan telo Indonnya.

Indra Putra Mahayuddin adalah pemain yang lengkap, serba boleh sama ada dari tengah, penjuru kanan dan kiri atau selaku penggempur utama. Saksikan sepakan percuma Badri Radzi dan umpanan lintang Nor Farhan Mohammad.

Indra sepantas Shaun Wright Philips

Maaf rakan-rakan di kelate.net, pasukan Cik Siti Wan Kembang akan bergaya gemalai namun terus-terusan kempunan gelaran kerana akan bungkam di kaki Gergasi Merah.

Amri

Apapun, aku berdoa tiada insiden yang mencemar imej bola sepak kita.

If I were the Sports Minister...

1. I would be chummy-chummy first and foremost with the CEOs and Group Editors or Editors of every single major newspaper in the country so that their subordinates would not have the audacity to write negatively or express their honest opinions that may not be favourable to me.

2. I would invest in a major newspaper establishment so its editorial team will have to run a supplements inserted into the main paper with my face splashed across the pages. The weekly cover must give prominence to my handsome face. In return, the newspaper or newspapers under the company's stable will not utter a single word in the event I be accused of any form of misconduct ---- KA-CHING...

Hanya gambar hiasan, tiada kena mengena dengan isu semasa, sama ada yang hidup, orang perseorangan yang kena siasat, kena dakwa ataupun yang kena gugur.

3. I would appoint a slew of media/ad agencies and all kinds of companies as my contractors. All Ministry of Youth and Sports-related projects, from infrastructure-driven, KPI-driven to organising awards nights, must go to these agencies.

4. I would try to convince the agencies to cajole the newspapers' bosses to give a copy of any stories on me to my office before publishing them. In short, I'm the BOSS.

5. I would make sure the agencies buy airtime on prime time TV so that the public would be fed with half-truths or outright lies on a weekly, if possible, daily basis.

Hanya gambar hiasan, tiada kena mengena dengan isu semasa, orang perseorangan sama ada yang hidup, yang kena siasat, yang kena dakwa, ataupun yang kena gugur.

6. I would label all my detractors and critics as scumbags, people with vested interests and agendas and must be prevented from expressing their views at all costs.

7. All the above are meant to create a climate of fear.

8. I would send bouquets of flowers or bottles of liquor to sports editors during the festive season.

9. I would fully utilise facilities like private jets and helicopters at the rakyat's expense.

10. I would go to every single sports tournament - from the SEA Games to the Olympic Games. Hey, I'm the Minister, remember!

11. I would not hesitate to challenge journalists and my harshest critics to stand for elections.

12. I would accuse civil servants who are supposed to serve and work for me as a corrupt lot. This will allow me to audit the agencies and discredit them.

13. I would drop the Prime Minister's name and sell the idea of having a forward base in Hertfordshire, London or anywhere so that it can benefit my cronies. Over there I could play golf and then go shopping at Oxford Street. Or it could be in China, where I can play golf maybe at Kunming.

14. I would convince the Cabinet Committee on Sports Development that an English football club has agreed to work with FAM as one of the ways to justify the existence of a forward base. It's a matter of spin doctoring and I have the media agencies to help me in that sense.

15. I would appoint an Australian as the sports consultant and a wetland expert as the adviser to the Cabinet Committee. So what if they are not known outside their circles? Familiarity after all breeds contempt.

16. I would personally handpick foreigners and pay them a Sultan's ransom to run the day-to-day running of NSC and its elite programme. The Mat Sallehs would not be unveiled to the Press. If the Press happen to bump into them, they will say things OFF THE RECORD.

17. I would form a two-man panel to conduct a witch-hunt in the event we failed in a major multi-sports festival - one a politician whom I fondly call Uncle and the other a wetland expert.

18. I would appoint strictly my friends or fellow politicians as members of the NSC Board. If possible I want dungus so they will nod in agreement to whatever I have to say. If they disagree with me, I would walk out of the meeting.

19. I would then issue a statement to this effect: "Many people perceive the board as merely a group of people who just endorse proposals. This is not what we want.The board play a significant role in determining the direction of the NSC, and as such, I expect the members to be actively involved in the decision making process."

Hanya gambar hiasan, tiada kena mengena dengan isu semasa, orang perseorangan sama ada yang hidup, yang kena siasat, yang kena dakwa, ataupun yang kena gugur. (Belakang, dua dari kanan, Pengarah Muzik AF7)

Hanya gambar hiasan, tiada kena mengena dengan isu semasa, orang perseorangan sama ada yang hidup, yang kena siasat, yang kena dakwa, ataupun yang kena gugur.

20. I would de-register any sports associations that dare go against my wishes! I would be widely quoted as saying: "If they say they don't want clubs in their structure and if they don't want to heed directives from the Minister or the Sports Commissioner's office, don't come to us for funding. I would like to warn any association, that the Government have the power, through the Sports Development Act (1997), to enforce the Act.

21. I would make sure that the local municipalities allow billboards which project my face and that of the PM and DPM.

22. I would plant a mole in NSC to identify and take care of my projects. His job will also entail writing poison-pen letters and submit them to the SPRM so that the agency can launch an investigation. The director of that division would then be reduced to checking out the lights and electricity.

23. I would create a sports newspaper as a vehicle to promote myself. Those who oppose this idea are buffoons and if these buffoons happen to be journalists, they practise the gutter brand of journalism.

24. I would impose the KPI to all my staff and the agencies under the Ministry. I would judge them but they cannot judge me!

25. I would force NSC to take my uncle or my son or family members to perform at the National Sports Awards night. Nothing wrong since they are able performers.

26. I would appoint dungus to head the various agencies so that they follow my orders and sign documents on my behalf. This means I'm not accountable nor responsible for any wrongdoings. My only job is to cut ribbons in official functions.

27. I would take the trouble to send all sorts of gym equipment to the Deputy Prime Minister’s residence.

28. I would subscribe to the divide and rule philosophy.

Well, are these a figment of my wildest imagination?

Gulzar doesn't look too happy

The original idea floated around the corridors of Wisma FAM, I was told, was to appoint Dollah Salleh to work with a set of assistants handpicked by team manager and financier, Datuk Gulzar Mohammad Noor.

Dollah was ready to take up the challenge and preferred Razali Alias, Khairul Azman Mohamed and an assistant with a sports science background to form his panel of assistants. Shahzan Muda supremo Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah was not prepared to release Dollah. No wonder Gulzar seemed ill at ease during yesterday's Press conference to unveil K. Rajagobal. Read here. Raja too has his own detractors. Some say his relationship with his fellow coaches at FAM is less than cordial...

A Perdana for Chong Wei

Some of the perks a top athlete gets...read about Lee Chong Wei's new set of wheels here

Zack dan Guna...

Merah Kuning bakal merah padam atau merah menyala Sabtu ini? Apapun, dua personalitinya mungkin tidak turun padang pada final Piala FA menentang the Red Warriors...baca di sini

Teguran buat Shabery

Satu bentuk teguran di Berita Harian buat Menteri Belia dan Sukan. Baca di sini. Petunjuk prestasi utama (KPI) dalam sukan agak mudah. Berapa pingat yang dimenangi dan statistik berjela-jela. Belia pula, bagaimana?

Rajagobal, Dollah or Azraai?

Rajagobal

Will one of these players assume the hotseat? From Azraai Khor's personal collection

UPDATED, 5.40pm,

K. Rajagobal was confirmed as the national coach on a two year contract plus a one-year option just now in the presence of Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad, Gulzar Mohamad and Azzuddin Ahmad.

"It's a great honour to be given the chance but we have to be realistic in our ambitions," said the former Selangor attacker.

Former Malacca, Sarawak and Sabah utility player, Ong Kim Swee, who is handling the national Under-18 team, is likely to take over Rajagobal's Under-20 duties.

Original posting

The FA of Malaysia (FAM) will unveil the new national coach at 3.0pm today and it could well be K. Rajagobal instead of the hotly tipped Dollah Salleh.

Apparently Tengku Muda Pahang, boss of Shahzan Muda, had a chat with his ayahanda Sultan of Pahang yesterday justifying his decision not to release Dollah for the hotseat.

The other candidate tipped to succeed B. Sathianathan is Azraai Khor Abdullah of Kedah. Now, if Rajagobal is made the supremo of the national team that has only two official matches to look forward to, what will become of the national team manager, Datuk Gulzar Mohamad? Is he going to be relevant to the cause?

Read here, here, here and here.

Perginya seorang jagoan

Kamaruddin di depan Batu Burok Beach Resort miliknya. Gambar Bernama

Rajemah

"Aku pernah bertumbuk dengan orang, kau tahu!"

Mereka yang mengenali Allahyarham Kamaruddin Maidin tidak akan terkejut dengan ugutan-ugutan sedemikian. Bagi mereka, itulah tabiat Kamaruddin. Arwah seorang yang intense dan kata-katanya cukup berbisa.

Lebih 10 tahun aku menanggung bisa mulutnya. Aku pun boleh tahan juga, sebab itu aku digelar loose cannon. Dalam olahraga, arwahlah loose cannon. Tidak hairan apabila buku bertemu ruas, sparks fly. Bahkan arwah pernah mengugut menyaman aku.

Satu hari, aku dipanggil menghadap Ahmad A Talib, ketika itu Pengarang Kumpulan New Straits Times, pada 2000. "Ah, I'm in trouble yet again!"

Kamaruddin mengadu kepada Ahmad bahawa aku tidak menulis his side of the story apabila aku mendedahkan Persatuan Olahraga Amatur Terengganu menggantung Kamaruddin selaku setiausaha.

Dia menjelaskan langsung tidak dimaklumkan mengenai penggantungan itu, malah mendakwa ia melanggar perlembagaan POAT. Aku mempertahankan story aku, berasaskan kenyataan presiden POAT, Datuk Othman Daud, yang datang sendiri ke Balai Berita untuk memberi bukti.

Namun Ahmad mengarahkan aku membuat story Kamaruddin. Akupun akur.

Di antara 1999 dan 2003, ketika Kamaruddin menerajui jawatankuasa latihan KOAM manakala adik iparnya Sheikh Kamaruddin Sheikh Ahmad selaku pengerusi jawatankuasa pembangunan, hidup mereka kerap diganggu tulisan aku.

Banyak keputusan-keputusan mereka yang aku pertikaikan. Namun tidak lama sesudah dia tersingkir daripada percaturan politik KOAM, aku dan Kamaruddin made peace.

Akibat terlalu banyak merokok (sejak di bangku sekolah, katanya), Kamaruddin menghidap penyakit paru-paru. Aku pernah terserempak dengan arwah di Hospital Pakar Ampang Puteri ketika Intan menunggu temujanji dengan Dr Fauziah. Kami bersalaman dan bercerita ringkas mengenai perkembangan olahraga.

Selaku pasangan suami isteri dari sukan olahraga, Kamaruddin dan Rajemah melahirkan keturunan yang giat bersukan.

Anak sulung mereka, Kamarezal yang meninggal dunia pada 1998, aktif dalam pelbagai acara sebelum menceburi bidang lakonan.

Kamarezmie kini mengendalikan restoran mereka Warung Pak Maidin yang mempunyai beberapa cawangan, manakala Kamarezmai satu ketika dahulu kusangka bakal mewarisi takhta Nur Herman Majid selaku jaguh lari berpagar.

Sayang sekali Imai yang menjuarai acara 110m di Sukma 1998 dengan catatan 14.50s, tidak memenuhi potensinya. Aku sendiri menjadi saksi kepada kecekapan Imai melangkau setiap pagar, contoh tulen kepada pepatah "ke mana tumpahnya kuah kalau tidak ke nasi". Kamarenzi yang mengendalikan perniagaan keluarga termasuk Batu Burok Beach Resort pula adalah menantu bekas Ketua Hakim Negara, Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Halim.

Pembabitan Kamaruddin sehingga mewakili negara di Sukan Olimpik di Rome 1960 (olahraga diwakili oleh tiga remaja belasan tahun - Kamaruddin, Shahrudin Mohd Ali dan M. Jegathesan) bermula secara tidak sengaja. Dia lebih berminat dengan ragbi tetapi Tom Rossandich, jurulatih olahraga dari Amerika Syarikat, mengenal pasti bakatnya dalam acara lompatan.

Kamaruddin membuka mata lawan dan kawan dengan memenangi pingat emas Sukan SEAP empat kali berturut-turut. Sehingga kini hanya empat atlit Malaysia - Kamaruddin, Hanapiah Nasir, Mohd Zaki Sadri dan Syahrul Amri Suhaimi - yang berjaya menggondol emas acara lompat jauh.

Perginya seorang jagoan tengah hari tadi ditangisi sanak saudara dan rakan taulan. Baktinya terhadap negara harus dikenang. Salam takziah kepada Rajemah sekeluarga. Al-Fatihah. Baca di sini

Beng Choo v Kok Chi

Kok Chi

Beng Choo

Rosmanizam Abdullah @ T.L Ang @ K.T Rajah

Ah, legal eagle Low Beng Choo taking on the doyen of OCM, Datuk Sieh Kok Chi?

And incumbent Kok Chi accusing Beng Choo of reneging on her promise not to challenge him? Please read here.

But if I may recall, Kok Chi told me two years ago the 2007/09 was going to be his last term...in a series of conversations I had with him. Now I heard he had told a few people he had never uttered remarks to that effect...so it's his words against mine...hmm, who to believe, huh? To refresh my mind and yours as well, read this open letter to OCM in May, 2007 published by Malay Mail...

DEAR Sirs and Ladies of OCM,

I hope this letter reaches the good office of the Olympic Council ofMalaysia before the OCM Annual General Assembly.

Even if it does not, let's hope the content is taken in the right spirit by the new set of office-bearers. Congratulations to the individuals who were returned unopposed at the close of nominations last month.

To Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar, you can look forward to another two-year term packed with challenges, with the able assistance of your No. 2, Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan. I would like to thank Perlis Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, for pulling out from the contest, having realised the undercurrent was not in favour of his nomination. The five vice-presidents - Prof W.Y. Chin, Prof Datuk Dr Zakaria Ahmad, Low Beng Choo, Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad and Roy Rajasingham - on paper, appear to be a good mix of respected professionals and academicians.

I must congratulate my good friend, academician-turned-politician-turned-sports administrator, Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim, on having succeeded his fellow Penangite, Datuk Abdullah Sani Karim, a real gentleman who was a pleasure to work with. Still, I must add, I am quite surprised Datuk Seri, a salaried staff ofFAM, is joining the national umbrella body, and his nomination was submitted at the eleventh hour by Sani, who enjoys a cordial relationship with Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

To secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, this is going to be your last term. You have given me your word that someone else will helm the position in 2009. We have discussed a succession plan and a potential successor to you for years now, and I am surprised that until today, you have failed to train and identify an understudy to fill your big shoes once you leave the body you have served with distinction.

Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad's decision not to challenge you was a source of disappointment for a lot of people. But his nomination is a clear signal OCM is in dire need of fresher faces. But the market talk centres on Miss Beng Choo, a lawyer by profession and a real worker for those who had the chance to work with her as the chef-de-mission to the Manila SEA Games, becoming the secretary in 2009.

Only three positions - assistant secretary (male), assistant secretary (female) and assistant treasure - are up for grabs this time. The incumbents are Phua Tai Neng, Latifah Ya'cob and S. Jahendran, all of whom I know personally.

Jahendran, 72, formerly attached to the Audits Department, has served OCM well. Rosmanizam Abdullah, his challenger and 25 years younger than the incumbent, comes with good credentials as well.

The Kelantan-born Malaysian Malays Cricket Association secretary, who is of Indian-Chinese descent, was not only the youngest journalist from the New Straits Times Group to cover an Olympic Games when he was attached to Berita Harian in the 1980s, but also known for his high sense of volunteerism.

Also known as K.T. Rajah or Ang Teck Lee, Rosmanizam was the Malacca Cycling Association secretary for four years up to 1984, and secretary of development, tournament and technical of the national body, Malaysian National Cycling Federation, from 1981-1985.

He was also active in journalism-related organisations, having been the New Straits Times Press Bhd co-operative secretary from 1988-91, the treasurer of the National Union of Journalists from 1986-88,Confederation of Asean Journalists director from 1987-88 and treasurer ofthe Sports-writers Association of Malaysia from 2000-2002, when I happened to be the secretary.

His greatest achievement was not the 2004 National Sports Leadership award, but the endorsement from the International Cricket Council that MMCA's development programme was the best overall programme from among 17 associate and affiliated members of the Asian region in 2005.

OCM, frankly speaking, needs this kind of individuals to help it scale greater heights. It is good that Tunku Imran will conduct presidential forum at least once a year as one of OCM's new initiatives.

It is one way for the presidents of the NSAs to be more hands-on in steering their respective associations, a little bit like Asian Football Confederation president, Mohamed Hammam.

OCM's biggest challenge is to change the perception that it is only supportive of elitist sports such as squash, cricket and golf, and that OCM only springs to life when there is an Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games or SEA Games. Also OCM must be seen as being able to protect its affiliates from getting trampled upon by the custodians of the Sports Development Act 1997. Perhaps we can argue on this issue over a cup of teh tarik at OCM's pantry.

Regards,
Rizal Hashim,
Stakeholder

It's going to be a repeat of 2006...

Monsieur Titi et moi...

I'm talking about the prospect of Barcelona playing Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final next month, with Thierry Henry finally laying his hands on the cup with the big ears.

Barca 2009 remind me of the Galacticos 2002/03, Arsenal early 2000s (the days when Henry could flick the ball before sending a dipping volley past his compatriot Barthez), Juventus 1997/98, Liverpool 84/85 and 77/78, Bayern in the mid-70s and Ajax Amsterdam early 70s in that they oozed class each time they troop onto the pitch. The Juve side spearheaded by Del Piero with Zidane behind him in the late 90s were a joy to watch and even drew superlatives and "out of this world" remark from coach of the vanquished side, Louis Van Gaal.

From the purist point of view, a final between Barca and the Gunners would be a fitting end to the Euro season.

If they stay true to form, Barcelona should beat Chelsea, with Arsenal overcoming ManU to ensure a repeat of the 2006 final. I'm certain the miss from point blank range in the third minute in that final still lingers in Henry's minds.

Whoever takes the Cup, the team will boast of a Frenchman. Karim Benzema and Co may have been shown the exit by Barca but expect a Frenchman to figure highly in the final!

Roll back the years and see...

Evra (2008)

Giuly (2006)

Zidane/Makelele (2002)

Lizarazu/Sagnol (2001)

Anelka/Karembeu (2000)

Lizarazu (losing side) (1999)

Karembeu (1998)

Zidane (losing side) (1997)

Deschamps (1996)

Desailly (losing side) 1995

Desailly (1994)

1993 - A French squad la...

By the way, did you know Barca coach Pep Guardiola imposes a fine on his players for being late for breakfast and training? For every minute a player is late for training, he will be fined as much as RM30,000! And the all-star cast is subject to curfew! In Malaysia the players would rebel!

Terima kasihlah, Mumtaz

Isnin lalu, blog ini menyiarkan berita Kamaruddin Maidin terlantar tenat di Hospital Kuala Terengganu. Baca di sini.

Esok satu rombongan dari Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet Kebangsaan (Yakeb) akan melawat Kamaruddin. Kamaruddin kini ditempatkan di wad ICU, Tingkat 3. Masa lawatan akan diberitahu sebaik sahaja mendapat kebenaran dari pihak Hospital.

Pegawai Yakeb, Aminuddin Nasir, menghantar emel kepada media memaklumkan semua Kamaruddin pernah mewakili negara di Sukan Olimpik Rome 1960 bagi acara lompat jauh, SEAP Games 1959 - 1969, dan Pingat Emas bagi acara Long Jump dan Triple Jump.

Lawatan ini akan diketuai oleh Dato' Paduka Dr Mumtaz Jaafar sebagai Pengerusi Eksekutif YAKEB. Terima kasihlah...

Shabery's simple yet significant approach

A simple and humble man...

...holding court at the Mandarin Oriental business centre...

...and jotting down notes

I was told he was ready to pack his bags and return as a mere backbencher following Pak Lah's handing over the country's leadership to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak but Istana Pahang apparently intervened, believing that Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek had done a darn good job at the Information Ministry.

Still I must confess I was not excited or enthusiastic at all over Shabery's appointment as the country's 17th Sports Minister. After all it was seen as a demotion for the Kemaman MP from his debating days at the Information Ministry. But he made quite an impression on me with his knowledge, openness, ideas and above all sincerity in his meet-the-sports editors session-cum-dinner at Mandarin Oriental.

The fact Shabery chose to meet the sports editors and the print media first before the other stakeholders spoke volumes of his wilingness to engage the media on a positive note.

On his appointment:

"Now I have to start reading the papers from the back pages, it needs some adjusting for someone who has been reading the papers from Pg 1 onwards all this while."

On the meeting:

"I chose not to use the governmental platform to dispense with the formalities, and please do not be offended if from time to time I wish to meet the media in smaller groups. I know journalists love scoops."

His background:

"I used to write for Karangkraf and later Watan, and from there someone thought I would make a good politician.

Between youth and sports:

"Youth will be my priority and through sports we can develop the youth. It is the perfect tool."

Touching base:

"By going to the gym rakyat at Kampung Pandan on Saturday. I think we still lack the culture of going to the gym to maintain our fitness and build our muscles. But I have to find ways of hiding this spare tyre (referring to his waistline).

Reforms in sports:

"I would want your support if we were to impose radical and drastic changes to the system.

Sports a way of life:

"Sports teaches us the meaning of life and integrity, the need to be disciplined and determined. It helps shape our psyche and physique. I would divide sports into three main categories.

1. Creating a sporting society - in US its normal for an individual to be working in the gym even at odd hours but in Malaysia our national sport is makan, during lunch hour the race is on to go to the mamaks.

2. Producing medal winners - China is not exactly a sporting nation but sports is used as a symbol of nationalism, national pride and a tool to create the feel good factor. We have to study the development process.

3. Sports as an industry - in 1997 Britain decided to include sports as part of its creative industry to create wealth. Doctors, lawyers and accountants were no longer the icons who earned big money as the they shifted towards broadening the base for sportsman and entertainers. That's why we have David Beckham being exported to the US for a princely sum of US$200 million.

Infrastructure or content-driven?

"We have to decide, if facilities be provided to all kampungs and schools, then it will create business opportunities for a select group. Or we focus our energy on content-wise or developing the software which will broaden the base of talent at grassroots.

Schools?

"It's too exam-oriented, illustrated by the fact we are perhaps the only country in the world where results of major examinations are announced by the Minister. We may have to consider making sports as a subject in the primary school and sports colleges, In the US, one earns credit points for playing golf.

The highly critical media:

"Please continue to be critical because it stirs the rakyat's interests.

Issues and controversies:

It's a question of finding a solution or pushing for reforms.

Politicians in sports:

"Can you guarantee better results at all levels if there is no politician involved at various levels?

I only raised two points to Shabery.

1. The National Sports Policy was launched by Najib in 1988 and it touches on sports for the masses and high-performance sports. Some of the issues raised during the dialogue are already acknowledged on paper. Study this first.

2. The role of the Cabinet Committee on Sports Development, whether the delivery system ought to be improved and why 15 Ministries cannot be on the same page.

"Thank you for reminding me of the 1988 policy."

Somehow I was surprised notorious duo Citizen Nades/Terence Fernandez, who contributed largely to Azalina's downfall, were not there...

Talking sports!

Bye bye Datuk Seri...now you might be able to explain to me why dishwasher detergent Glo costs me almost RM5 instead of RM3 last year...as for Datuk Naim, find out why Fed-Ex makes Josiah Ng its commercial icon but not Azizulhasni Awang or Rizal Tisin...

Moi, on the phone with Hj Nazri Kahar of Astro Awani, being caught off-guard because U Wartawan's topic on April 14 was Menggilap Bakat Muda (nurturing our young talent)

The deadly duo from RTM...Hafizal Hamad (left) and Norismadi Abdul Manap are the comperes for Wisel Penamat every Sunday at 12.30am, when the rest of Malaysia are sleeping

Apart from recalling the halcyon days of Malaysian football, Khalid Ali remembers the day he and a few other senior Selangor players met the late Datuk Harun Idris in jail a few days ahead of the 1978 Malaysia Cup final...intriguing stuff, man...

I heard RTM has revived its nightly sports program over all its radio channels. Good for you Datuk Tiger and gang. Only thing, can you please give Wisel Penamat an earlier slot? And more talk shows on sports, perhaps? Anyway thanks Astro Awani.

Di antara pegawai miang dan "attaining eminence"

UPDATED 2.00am, 16 April - Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid is thinking of quitting as president of the Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation (MLBF) following the controversy surrounding the suspension of three bowlers, including two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Siti Zalina Ahmad.

ORIGINAL POSTING

Have you read Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid's book Attaining Eminence which is a personal account of his life? I haven't but I'll try to do so soon. The officials at the National Sports Council and the Malaysian Lawn Bowls Federation too must read Ahmad Sarji's biography for a greater understanding of the man and his track record as a civil servant. Based on this article here, eminence is perhaps too great a word for some sports officials to comprehend. Ahmad Sarji, a former Chief Secretary to the Government, is president of MLBF but certain quarters in the association and NSC may not share his views on governance. I'm not an expert in body language but looking at Siti Zalina Ahmad's face and movement, she was far from happy in the press conference two days ago. Berita Harian may have found a good story!

Kasihan Kelantan, Kelantan FA dan kelate.net

Kasihan kepada semua penyokong sejati Kelantan. Sudahlah Persatuan Bola Sepak Kelantan (Kafa) dihukum bermain di luar jajahan, kini laman sesawang kelate.net kena hack! Bagi moderator dan semua pelayar laman itu, bersabarlah!

Ban the bookies!

Read Malay Mail's expose here. If the bookies are allowed to reign supreme, what will happen to the game in Malaysia? I was in the thick of the action when the scandal in 1994/95 robbed the game of its purveyors, including one Kedah striker and a Johor-born Terengganu utility player who was good enough to land a contract in France had his career not cut short by this scourge. We lost a generation and we are still coming to terms with it!

The passing of a big name

Tan Sri Syed Kechik Syed Mohamad who passed away Friday, was a big name in the 70s. I remember Syed Kechik Film production producing several box-office hits such as Mekanik, which featured Mokhtar Dahari in a cameo role and Sumber Ilhamku. He was also a one-time president of the Malaysian Cycling Federation (MCF) until it was de-registered, paving the way for a new body to be established and headed by Tan Sri Elyas Omar. A feud was about to begin...Syed Kechik's son-in-law is Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary. Maybe the cycling fraternity can do with some help from Syed Mokhtar.

Moga cepat sembuh

Bekas jaguh lompat jauh dan lompat kijang negara Kamaruddin Maidin kini terlantar di hospital Kuala Terengganu. Semoga dia cepat sembuh.

Raja should be the King

Raja has good track record at youth level (nst.com.my)

I honestly think K. Rajagobal should handle the national football team.

Why?

1. He's the second most qualified coach in terms of credentials, after the sacked B. Sathianathan.

2. He's the most senior technician within FAM's walls.

3. He has worked with the majority of the younger set of players in the senior set-up.

4. It's about time FAM broaden the base for younger coaches.

5. Rajagobal cannot hide behind the word development by insisting he remains the youth coach.

Let Rajagobal take over the national team which has only one qualifiers to look forward to this year, while at the same time remain as the supremo of the Under-23 team that has the Intercontinental Cup (May-June), the Merdeka Tournament (August) and the Sea Games in Laos in December. If FAM decides to expose the Under-23 side all the way, then the national team has only two international matches left - the Asian Cup qualifiers against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on Nov 14 and four days later in Petaling Jaya.

I was told FAM had shortlisted 10 candidates but team manager Datuk Gulzar Mohamad picked Dollah Salleh, currently coach of Shahzan Muda in the Premier League.

By right the team manager cannot interfere or being tasked with appointing the coach. He might as well pick the whole squad then!

My pick? 1. Rajagobal, 2. Azraai Khor, 3. K. Devan, 4. Dollah Salleh, in that order. Read here

Annuar, FAM dan Kelate

Bekas Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, kini menjadi tumpuan dalam kapasitinya selaku Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Kelantan (Kafa). Baca temuramah Mingguan Malaysia dengan beliau di sini. Annuar sempat perli FAM nampaknya.

Cadangan aku:

1. FAM boleh tubuhkan jawatankuasa bebas menyiasat apa sebenarnya berlaku pada malam itu. Jawatankuasa ini boleh dianggotai media, pegawai MSN atau MOM dan anggota berseragam. Pengerusinya? Siapa lagi kalau tidak Datuk Dell Akbar Khan, bekas setiausaha agung FAM yang kini satu-satunya ahli jawatankuasa Stadium dan Keselamatan FIFA dari Asia selain pengerusinya, Junji Ogura. Dell juga bekas pemain dan bekas Ketua Polis Kuala Lumpur. Jawatankuasa ini diberi mandat menemu bual pemain, pegawai, kelab penyokong dan orang ramai. Jawatankuasa ini harus menyiasat apa yang berlaku di Kota Bharu dan memberi cadangan kepada jawatankuasa disiplin atau sekretariat FAM.

2. FAM wujudkan satu jawatan baru - warden keselamatan sama ada secara sambilan atau sepenuh masa untuk memantau dan menyelaraskan tugas-tugas keselamatan di setiap stadium. Ataupun setiap persatuan harus melantik warden keselamatan untuk menyelaras fungsi setiap pihak.

3. Pastikan mesyuarat menjelang perlawanan dihadiri anggota keselamatan.

4. Pihak Polis menambah anggota preman di sudut-sudut tertentu yang dikenal pasti "hangat" kerana samseng-samseng bola sepak lazimnya beroperasi dari tempat yang sama.

5. FAM, persatuan negeri dan polis serta Rela bekerjasama sepenuh hati. Kita akur acara-acara sukan bukan keutamaan bagi Polis, jadi FAM dan persatuan bola sepak harus menggunakan khidmat Rela dan pasukan keselamatan sendiri.

6. Penguatkuasaan lebih ketat di pintu masuk setiap stadium agar mercun, botol dan barangan lain yang boleh dijadikan senjata tidak dibawa masuk.

7. Kerjasama pihak stadium dan pengusaha kantin atau tempat makan agar tidak menjual air mineral dalam stadium pada hari perlawanan.

Keputusan FAM melarang sebarang perlawanan diadakan di Stadium Muhammad IV wajar namun tempohnya agak melampau. Bagi aku lebih sesuai dikenakan hukuman selama dua bulan ataupun bermain tanpa penonton.

Bola sepak satu-satunya hiburan berbentuk pesta bagi warga Kelantan. Pasukannya pula kini menonjol. Stadium dipenuhi kapasiti 15,000, maka rugi jika Kelantan dihukum semata-mata akibat perbuatan segelintir kelompok yang tidak dapat menerima kekalahan dengan semangat kesukanan.

Bola sepak kita merudum. Jumlah penonton berkurangan. Di Kelantan meningkat pula. Takkan kita nak bunuh semangat mereka?

Pernah pergi ke Stadium Senayan? Fuh, hebat, meremang bulu roma. Kali terakhir aku ke sana pada Disember 2004. Ketika Tsunami melanda Acheh, aku di Jakarta pasal buat liputan Piala AFF. Jangan terkejut kalau dilempar botol berisi air kencing. Di Hanoi, juga sentiasa penuh! Komitmen petugas keselamatan cukup padu.

Ggohok dok bbaloh nih, nyaknyo oghe Kelate

Recognition for an activist

I don't know how many times exactly the plight of the UKRC padang had been highlighted by the Malay Mail over the past two decades. What was once the Paper That Cares, especially its editors Fauzi Omar and later Ahirudin Attan were very supportive of UKRC's efforts to save the field.

The padang was allocated for a primary school and 10 bungalow lots and then earmarked for a squatter relocation project. Throughout the years the UKRC committee spearheaded by Andrew Gopal had been tirelessly campaigning against the projects.

Last month they held the yearly friendly match against Malay Mail of old, read here, with my ex-boss Tony Mariadass as usual among the driving force. I too saw action, albeit briefly, on that padang in 2004 if I'm not mistaken, as I was substituted for a poor performance on the left-back position. I remember among those who played were Rocky himself, Yushaimi Yahaya, Rashid Yusof and Shamsul Akmar.

Well, I'm glad an activist like Andrew Gopal is finally given due recognition. He will be installed as the Olympic Council of Malaysia Sports Goodwill Ambassador this week! Read here.

Fungsi JKPS

Kolum Dari Garis Tepi ini disiarkan Rabu lalu, sebelum Kabinet baru diumumkan oleh Perdana Menteri. Baca di sini

Anifah in, KJ out

A former vice-president of FA of Malaysia who bragged that he was already a millionaire at the age of 25 and once banned Malay Mail's Tony Mariadass from covering a crucial match in Kota Kinabalu is now the Foreign Minister. A current deputy president of FAM meanwhile was excluded from the Cabinet.

There was this friendly between the national training squad and Sabah prior to the opening pre-World Cup encounter against Hong Kong in 2004.

The millionaire threw himself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons...FAM technical director, Karl Weigang, spoke to the referee and suggested the match be abandoned due to the state of the pitch at Petaling Jaya Stadium.

In his capacity as the FA of Sabah head honcho, this millionaire then intervened, insisting Weigang should not have interfered in the referee's decision. Perhaps it did not occur to the millionaire from Sabah that the match was turning out to be a pointless one at that stage as the risk of injury was heightened.

The referee decided to finish the match. That is the difference between someone who knows about the game and someone who is trying to show everybody he knows something about the game.

Weigang was thinking of the greater picture. Unfortunately the millionaire was thinking within the Sabah's box, without justification. Can we expect this kind of character to carry the Malaysian name in the diplomatic circles? Perhaps he has mellowed down. Perhaps he has discovered the true meaning of diplomacy. But give me Rais Yatim anytime. Or even Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen, a former FAM deputy president.

Letter to the new Sports Minister

Dear YB Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek,

RE: Appointment as the Sports Minister

Please accept my heartiest congratulations on being appointed the country's 17th Sports Minister, Datuk.

Although I personally believe Datuk should be focusing your energy on youth issues, sports remains an ideal battleground to win the hearts and minds of youth.

I'm certain your experience as the Information Ministry will put you in good stead.

As we are all aware, Datuk, sports should be a vehicle to build bridges, not to tear them down.

Only through sports can you have a slightly-built Iban carrying the contingent's flag, with a legendary sprinter of Sri Lankan ancestry behind him as the chef-de-mission, followed closely by a multi-racial group of athletes pulling towards the same direction - chasing honours for Malaysia. This scenario took place at the Athens Olympics in 2004, of which I was privileged enough to be part of.

I don't have to remind you, Datuk, of the task that awaits you. Historically speaking, you are the first Sports Minister from Terengganu.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj (1964-66) and Datuk Senu Abdul Rahman (1966-68), famed for his Revolusi Mental book, were the first two Sports Ministers, when leaders were short on cash but high on integrity.

During his tenure from 1969 to 1973, Hamzah tabled the National Sports Council (NSC) Act in 1971 and later held several high-profile posts such as president of the FA of Malaysia (FAM), Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as well as FIFA and IOC vice-president.

Datuk Ali Ahmad (1973-76), Tan Sri Abdul Samad Idris (1976-80), Datuk Mokhtar Hashim (1980-82), Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (1982-83), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (1983-84), Datuk Seri Dr Sulaiman Daud (1984-86), Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak (1986-89), Datuk Annuar Musa (1990-93), Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman (1993-1995), Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin (1995-1999) and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (1999-2004) took turns to help shape the nation's sporting fortunes.

From 2004 up to the 2008 general elections, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said's desire was to create a culture of sports, which included grassroots programmes at every Parliamentary and State Assembly constituencies. But she was extravagant and showed little regard for dissent. Virtually all her policies came under attack by the mainstream Press.

In his short tenure, Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob took up the courage to stop some of the policies issued by Azalina which were not really cast in stone. The expensive football youth tournament called the Champions Youth Cup was rammed down FA of Malaysia's throats while the Hertfordshire high-performance centre in London was pursued despite public outcry.

You may also want to settle the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA) controversy which began in May 2005.

Since you introduced new initiatives and openness in RTM with the advent of talk shows which openly discussed important issues, you are expected to consider engaging stakeholders like OCM positively and not subject the likes of Datuk Sieh Kok Chi to public ridicule just because he has the audacity to question your policies.

For sure you will encourage dissent since you were a member of Semangat 46. You will no doubt engage your detractors positively and take kindly to criticism.

Datuk, if we were to climb the apex of world domination in sports, sincerity is paramount. Sports and youth cannot be developed through advertisements, slogans or through airtime on the media. The money ought to be better utilised to run the various programmes and reward the people that matter.

Do not think sports is a piece of cake. The experts are few and far between, so make full use of them. The people's hard-earned money, Datuk, should also be spent wisely.

Did you know NSC spent RM160 million from 1993 to 1998, with 10 gold medals in the KL '98 Games as the return on investments? But how much did NSC spend from 2004 to 2008? And what is the result?

Your main task, Datuk, is to give due recognition to the related government agencies like NSC, the volunteers from OCM and NSAs, parents, coaches and all stakeholders and drive them to the same destination. In short, everyone must subscribe to your Mission Statement.

In the event the Cabinet Committee on Sports Development is retained, I would suggest the formation of an audit committee to serve as the watchdog and monitoring body. Someone needs to crack the whip if the NSC or any government agency for that matter, slackens.

Someone too needs to monitor the funds being channelled to the various agencies on periodical basis, in line with the Prime Minister's approach of having a key performance indicator and periodical assessment.

Datuk, do not aspire to be a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or any international body. As it is, you are already tasked with the heavy responsibility of making the establishment an appealing platform for today's youth.

In your constituency in Kemaman, you might want to engage athletics coach Mohd Zaki Sadri who is coaching a group of youngsters under the auspices of Petronas. He might be able to brief you about the state of affairs in the sport.

You might want to continue Ismail Sabri's policy of lending ex-athletes your ears as this will do you no harm but instead gain their respect. You might also want to fully tap into the experience of Sports Advisory Panel (SAP) and its chairman, Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad, who was seldom called upon under Ismail Sabri.

With the help of the newly-appointed Ketua Komunikasi Korporat (Corporate Communications Chief) of the Ministry, Zukri Valenteno, you may want to go on a charm offensive by making friends with the traditional and new media, with youth leaders and sports officials.

If you have any doubts, Datuk, you can always refer to your Deputy Minister, Datuk Razali Ibrahim. As the principal private secretary to Hishammuddin when the latter was the Sports Minister, he knows the Ministry inside out.

Best wishes and warm regards.

Respectfully yours,
Rizal Hashim,
Kuala Lumpur

P/S We can always discuss pertinent issues over a plate of sattar in Kemaman

Puok gedebe Kelate, Tok Guru pun komen

Baca kisah Halim Napi dan penyokong Kelantan di sini dan di sini

Bola sepak adalah sukan yang penuh sentimen dan emosi. Usah ia dibiar menjadi luar kawalan. Ini aku tuturkan dalam rancangan Wisel Penamat yang dihos oleh Hafizal Hamad dan Norismadi Abdul Manap Ahad lalu. Seorang lagi tetamu bekas pemain kebangsaan, Khalid Ali.

Ini bukan kes sulung membabitkan Halim.

Baru bulan lalu dia digantung dua perlawanan kerana mengasari lawan.

Pada 1997, dia digantung seumur hidup oleh FAM kerana mengancam menyerang pengadil S Selearajan dalam perlawanan di antara Kelantan dan Perak.

Tiga tahun terdahulu, Halim bertindak ala kung-fu (Eric Cantona kemudian meniru aksi yang hampir sama terhadap Matthew Simmons pada awal 1995) menerajang dari belakang pemain import Selangor, Zsolt Bucs dan digantung permainan selama semusim dan denda RM5,000 oleh FAM.

Kini Kelantan FA (Kafa) mengambil tindakan tepat menggantung serta-merta bekas penjaga gol kebangsaan ini sesudah dia didapati bertindak balas dan menumbuk pemain Negeri Sembilan, Aidil Zafuan Abdul Radzak.

Dua tahun lalu Halim tekad meninggalkan bola sepak, mengheret Kafa ke mahkamah atas tuntutan gaji tertunggak sambil menumpu perhatian kepada kerjaya barunya sebagai penternak lembu!

Pada usia 38 tahun, Halim tidak mungkin kembali ke arena bola sepak. Dia seharusnya belajar menternak minda.

Juga kepada puak-puak yang gedebe, jangan rosakkan nama baik peminat jati Kelantan. Keadaan bercelaru di luar stadium apabila sebuah kenderaan polis diterbalikkan sebelum dibakar selain cermin beberapa kereta dipecahkan oleh sekumpulan penonton yang kurang berpuas hati. Aku difahamkan mereka kelompok Mat Rempit berusia 18-25 tahun. Katanya polis turut dipukul. Pening Tan Sri Annuar Musa hendak menjawab!

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Adalah dimaklumkan pihak Kelab Penyokong Siber Bola Sepak Kelantan ( http://www.kelate.net ) ingin membuat penafian bahawa tidak terlibat langsung dalam sebarang kejadian rusuhan penyokong di Stadium Sultan Muhammed Ke-IV, Kota Bharu malam tadi. Sehubungan dengan itu, pihak kami dengan ini menegaskan bahawa kalangan forumers Kelate.Net sememangnya tidak terlibat dalam kejadian yang disifatkan antara terburuk dalam bola sepak Kelantan. Pihak Kelate.Net merakamkan kekecewaan berganda di atas tindakan sebahagian kecil penyokong fanatik Kelantan di atas insiden tersebut. Jelas, ini bukanlah budaya penyokong bola sepak Kelantan yang selama ini kita war-warkan sebagai penyokong setia Kelantan. Dalam pada masa yang sama pihak Kelate.Net berharap insiden sedemikian rupa tidak lagi berlaku masa akan datang dalam lanskap bola sepak Kelantan kerana ianya jelas mencalar maruah negeri Kelantan.

Tahniah Azizul

Tidak lama dahulu, aku perasan seorang anak muda yang sopan menyelitkan dirinya di kalangan reporter-reporter otai ketika sidang akhbar K. Rajagopal. Tidak silap aku Kejohanan Asia Bawah 20 di Stadium Kuala Lumpur di Cheras. Suaranya lembut dan cara bertanya juga berhemah. Itulah dia Azizul Fahmi Ahmad Zabidi yang diisytihar sebagai pemenang pertama Anugerah Wartawan Muda A Samad Ismail pada malam anugerah Malam Wartawan-Institut Akhbar Malaysia Petronas kelmarin. Artikel Azizul bertajuk Pembunuh Bola Sepak Negara mengimbas cara-cara tiga individu - Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad, Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar dan Datuk Mohd Aini Taib - bertindak sesudah mensyaki pemain mereka terbabit dalam gejala menjual permainan. Aku dengar khabar malam itu juga Azizul pulang ke kampung halaman untuk mengundi di Bukit Gantang. Eloklah tu. Juga ku ucapkan tahniah kepada Pengarang Berita Utusan Malaysia, Noraini Razak, atas kemenangan beliau. Kali terakhir aku jumpa dia di Zoo Negara. Tahniah juga kepada wartawan Berita Harian, Jalal Ali Ab Rahim, kerana memenangi anugerah Kajai, gelaran yang diidam-idamkan semua makhluk bergelar wartawan (di Malaysialah) serta team Malay Mail. Baca di sini

A pleasant win, a crazy race

Good start for Tai Beng Hai. Victory for the Malaysian hockey squad over the old masters of the game, Pakistan in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and victory for Jenson Button as well at the Sepang International Circuit. Read here and here

Ministry's new PR man

ZV
The Sports Ministry will soon have a proper media and corporate communication team to handle its public relations and probably manage perceptions! The man tasked to project a positive image for the Ministry is journo-turned-blogger Zukri Valenteno. The former Bernama and the Sun reporter and Press Secretary to two Information Ministers is currently in Kluang attending the initiation course. He was once the Chief Executive Officer of FA of Malaysia's marketing arm, Malaysia Super League Sdn Bhd. If Azalina Othman Said had someone in ZV's calibre to tackle the media between 2005 and 2007, the Ministry's reputation would not have taken a battering I guess! All the best to ZV!