A rolling stone

Aziz Ibrahim, ah, the name may not ring a bell among today's generation of journalists, both print and electronic. But loose cannon grew up in awe of the likes of Aziz and of course Datuk Rahim Razali. So the decision to buy this book was easy...it is a must-read for all journos. Loose cannon had the good fortune of meeting Aziz face to face ahead of the Korat SEA Games in 2007.

"Every Malaysian should read this book. It is more than just Aziz Ibrahim's journey" - Randhir Singh, former New Straits Times sports columnist.

"Aziz Ibrahim and Malaysian sport are one. It shows throughout the book and not suprisingly so because of his intimate ties with sport as a commentator for over 30 years. It all comes so naturally to him. The natural blend of his passion for sports with fair-play, discipline and integrity carried him through his working life with enviable success though not without stress and strain" - Datuk Fauzi Omar, former Malay Mail editor/NST sports columnist

Aziz's recollections of days past, and often times of things and people long gone, and of attitudes and values that were no longer with us, clearly affirm the adage that we do not know what we had till they were gone. In this 21st century, he shows us a glimpse of Malaya and Malaysia of old, not all peachy of course, but in their baby steps, decidedly determined to make it. And through sports, we will always be.'" - Zainul Ariffin, Group Managing Editor, The New Straits Times Press

A. Aziz Ibrahim has written a fascinating account of his journey from the bottom rung to life in the top end of the corporate world. This is a valuable record of the writer's struggle to improve himself and an inspiring account of the journey and the people and the life he found along the way.

A thoroughly enjoyable book and a well-written story, and a look back to our country when life, not the stock market, was the centre of our everyday world. For a long time, the writer was a familiar face (and voice) in sports reporting. Here now is an engaging account of his journey from there to now, from cycling newsreader in Kampung Baru to owning a Volkswagen Bettle and to the BBC and then life in a multinational company. I recommend this book most heartily" - Wan A. Hulaimi

Aziz shares with his readers his early days in Penang, working under expatriate bosses, fighting discrimination, prejudice and bigotry, how a chairman of a bank welcomed him by saying: "Welcome, the interests of this bank are above everything else, including your family. You can go now".

His broadcasting career was what prompted me to buy the book. Here meeting Joao Havelange's predecessor must surely be one of the highlights of Aziz's career.

The 1977 final was a classic for footy aficionados...Man U won...and Aziz was there at Wembley...

Aziz's candid accounts are priceless. Others may remember Aziz as a corporate communications expert but the sight of Aziz introducing the football teams' line-up on RTM is imprinted in loose cannon's mind.

The Penang-born ex-teacher was caught in the pandemonium of the 1967 Thomas Cup in Jakarta, witnessed the Malaysian football team's only appearance at the Olympics in Munich in 1972 and covered the Thomas Cup Asian finals in India in 1976.

Excerpts from the book:

"Yahaya (Longchik) and I stayed glued in our cubicle waiting for the storm to subside. It would have been too much of a risk for us to venture out. Nobody seemed to have any control of the crowd anymore. (1967 Thomas Cup)

"Malaysia's last group match was against Morocco. It was before this match that trouble began brewing in the Malaysian camp. Peter Velappan had brought in his contact Karl Weigang who had claimed to have an intimate knowledge of the African teams as he had stints as a coach in the region. I could sense that Weigang in his typically brash German style was too intrusive and domineering. Jalil (Che Din) felt sidelined. He began to sulk and then became withdrawn. (1972 Munich Olympics)