Friday, March 12, 2010
Iskandar Open v PGA Tour Asia Pacific Malaysia Classic
One is the pet project of the Johor royal family. The other is a prestigious golf tourney launched by our Prime Minister.
Read the Bernama report in December last year.
Malaysia To Host The PGA Tour Next Year, Says Najib
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
announced that Malaysia will be hosting the prestigious golf competition, the PGA Tour, next year.
"It was my childhood ambition to see the PGA Tour brought to Malaysia and now it will become a reality...and today, I am proud to announce that next year Malaysia will be hosting the PGA Tour.
"We will be the first nation in the South East Asian region to host such a prestigious golf competition. It is a great honour to be given the opportunity," said Najib in his speech at the official launch of the Asia Pacific Golf Classic Malaysia, here Monday.
The inaugural tournament will be held at the Mines Resort and Golf Club in Seri Kembangan, near here.
At the ceremony, Najib also announced that the golf competition offers a total prize money of US$6 million and the winner of the competition will walk home with US$1 million.
"I was not quite sure then that it could happen and I didn't know what it takes to be able to host the PGA Tour event in Malaysia.
Because it certainly requires a full agreement of the PGA Tour. Fortunately, we have Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, an entrepreneur who has the courage and vision to do things that are difficult or almost impossible to do.
"The competition (the Asia Pacific Golf Classic) will also be the largest prize purse tournament in South East Asia. And, there is a commitment in place to guarantee the growth of the purse," said Najib.
He noted that the competition would further boost Malaysia's revenue through tourism and enhancing the country's standing in the international sporting arena.
"It will be a boost and very positive. It will make the Mines golf course more popular as one of the major golf courses in the world. It will also make Malaysia as the favourite golfing destination," said Najib.
He said that over the four-day competition, over 400 million households and in 200 countries around the world would be watching the prestigious competition and this would be a good avenue not only for golf but also Malaysian tourism.
The inaugural Asia Pacific Golf Classic Malaysia will feature an international field of 40 players competing.
The top 25 players from the PGA Tour's final FedExCup standings will automatically qualify, as will the top-10 available players from the Asian Tour's Order of Merit and at least one Malaysian professional will be guaranteed a place in the field.The Star report
Read the Bernama report in December last year.
Malaysia To Host The PGA Tour Next Year, Says Najib
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
announced that Malaysia will be hosting the prestigious golf competition, the PGA Tour, next year.
"It was my childhood ambition to see the PGA Tour brought to Malaysia and now it will become a reality...and today, I am proud to announce that next year Malaysia will be hosting the PGA Tour.
"We will be the first nation in the South East Asian region to host such a prestigious golf competition. It is a great honour to be given the opportunity," said Najib in his speech at the official launch of the Asia Pacific Golf Classic Malaysia, here Monday.
The inaugural tournament will be held at the Mines Resort and Golf Club in Seri Kembangan, near here.
At the ceremony, Najib also announced that the golf competition offers a total prize money of US$6 million and the winner of the competition will walk home with US$1 million.
"I was not quite sure then that it could happen and I didn't know what it takes to be able to host the PGA Tour event in Malaysia.
Because it certainly requires a full agreement of the PGA Tour. Fortunately, we have Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, an entrepreneur who has the courage and vision to do things that are difficult or almost impossible to do.
"The competition (the Asia Pacific Golf Classic) will also be the largest prize purse tournament in South East Asia. And, there is a commitment in place to guarantee the growth of the purse," said Najib.
He noted that the competition would further boost Malaysia's revenue through tourism and enhancing the country's standing in the international sporting arena.
"It will be a boost and very positive. It will make the Mines golf course more popular as one of the major golf courses in the world. It will also make Malaysia as the favourite golfing destination," said Najib.
He said that over the four-day competition, over 400 million households and in 200 countries around the world would be watching the prestigious competition and this would be a good avenue not only for golf but also Malaysian tourism.
The inaugural Asia Pacific Golf Classic Malaysia will feature an international field of 40 players competing.
The top 25 players from the PGA Tour's final FedExCup standings will automatically qualify, as will the top-10 available players from the Asian Tour's Order of Merit and at least one Malaysian professional will be guaranteed a place in the field.
The Star report
Tuesday March 9, 2010
Clash of dates puts Iskandar Open and Asia Paciffic Classic in jeopady
PETALING JAYA: The inaugural CIMB Asia Pacific Golf Classic, which is offering a hefty prize money of US$6mil, will be held at the same time as the Iskandar Johor Open from Oct 28-31.
And the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) are not amused and are threatening not to endorse the tournament unless the organisers change the dates.
MGA president Datuk Robin Loh said they have not been consulted regarding the inaugural Asia Pacific Classic.
“They have not come to seek our opinion so far. In my view, the timing is wrong. There cannot be two big golf tournaments going on in the country at the same time.
“This does not happen elsewhere and we will definitely be the laughing stock of the world. “If they come to talk to us, we will ask them to reconsider the dates.
“We understand the Asian Tour is looking at the Iskandar Johor Open as one of their main events and we do not want it to be interrupted.
“Otherwise, in the event of this conflict, we will write to the Sports Commissioner’s office to ask them not to issue the licence,” said Robin.
It is not just MGA but the Asian Tour who are also in a dilemma as the dates for the Iskandar Johor Open have already been fixed when the 2010 calendar was announced.
The Iskandar Johor Open this year is set to see an increase of prize money to US$2mil and timed to attract a strong field as the dates are just before the US$7mil HSBC Champions in Shanghai from Nov 4-7, which is a World Golf Championship event.
The dates for the inaugural Classic to be held at Mines Resort and Golf Club were made known when CIMB Group signed on as the title sponsor on Tuesday.
The PGA-sanctioned tournament will see a top class international field of 40 players competing for a winners’ purse of US$1mil.
The field will be made up of the top 25 available players from the PGA Tours final FedEx Cup standings, the top 10 available players from the Asian Tour Order of Merit and five sponsor exemptions. However, there is no ranking points at stake.
Robin said they have no problem with another inaugural tournament — the US$1.8mil Sime Darby LPGA Classic, which will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club from Oct 22-24.
“The organisers have been talking to us. We have no problem sanctioning an event if it brings benefit to golf development in the country and there is no conflict,” he added.
HM v HM
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Harimau Muda versus Harian Metro. Oh well this heading has no bearing whatsoever with this posting.
Harian Metro's revelation under the heading Raja Lawak di Slovakia has drawn a lot of response especially in the cyberworld. Read http://www.hmetro.com.my/myMetro/articles/RajaLawakdiSlovakia/Article.
My take is, it's a case of FA of Malaysia (FAM) not really understanding the subject matter, thus the failure to convey the message that Harimau Muda's participation in the Slovakian League 1, which is the second-tier of the league, is competitive in nature despite the fact the games are not officially recognised in the league.
Read the NST report
By Devinder Singh
THE national Under-21 team will gain valuable exposure in Slovakia even if they are only playing friendly matches on their three-month long stint in the east European country."After what happened to the team, from the rejection by the state FAs on the team's participation in the Super League to being denied a place in the Singapore S-League, we had to do something.
"We could not just have the team hanging around here or we would come in for criticism but it seems no matter what we do, we are criticised.
"When we approached the Slovakia FA, who we have very good relations with, they accepted our proposal to play Slovak clubs with a few conditions.
"While it would have been great to win the (second-tier) Slovak League, it would have been impossible to do it halfway through with 14 matches left and we had to be realistic.
"We were not able to get what we wanted but to play 14 matches against Slovak clubs and another three international Under-21 friendly matches against Slovakia's neighbouring countries in three months is fantastic," said Redzuan yesterday.
Before the team's departure to Slovakia, FAM claimed that Azraai Khor Abdullah's under-21 side would play competitive matches, giving the impression they would actually be playing in the league.
Instead, the two games the Young Tigers have played so far against Slovak First League (second-tier) clubs MFK Ruzemberok B and Slovak Dusla Sala were nothing more than friendly matches.
FAM said the teams playing against Young Tigers would be awarded three points for a win as an incentive to field strong sides against the Malaysians, but this is not the case as shown in the current league standings on www.futbalsfk.sz, the Slovakia FA's official website.
To further confuse the situation, Young Tigers are playing friendly matches against reserve sides of top-flight clubs in between their "competitive" friendly matches.
"Maybe there has been a misunderstanding over what the team are doing in Slovakia.
"It was clear we were going there in the middle of the league so it would have been impossible to actually play in the league.
"But you have to look at the intention of the trip which is to provide exposure for the national under-21 team in playing European clubs and under-21 international teams.
"Under the circumstances, this is the best we could do. It is not the best solution of course, but we know what we are doing," said Redzuan.
On why FAM insisted all along that the team would be playing "competitive" matches in Slovakia instead of friendly games, Redzuan referred the question to the FAM secretariat.
"I do not know the contents of the agreement signed with Slovak Union of League Clubs. That, you would have to ask the secretary-general."
FAM secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad is in Slovakia and could not be reached for comment.
Read the Kosmo report
PRESIDEN Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM), Sultan Ahmad Shah murka dengan dakwaan sebuah akhbar tabloid tempatan kelmarin yang mengatakan skuad bawah 21 tahun (B-21) negara di Slovakia telah 'kena main' majikan sendiri.
Setiausaha Agung FAM, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad berkata, baginda menganggap laporan yang bersifat 'sensasi' itu langsung tidak mendatangkan faedah kepada perkembangan bola sepak negara.
"Mengikut apa yang dititahkan Tuanku, baginda nampaknya murka dengan laporan berita tersebut kerana ia mungkin akan menjejaskan moral dan semangat pemain-pemain B-21 negara yang berada di Slovakia ketika ini.
"Apabila saya pulang ke tanah air nanti, saya akan memohon penjelasan daripada pihak akhbar terbabit dan jika ia tidak memuaskan, Tuanku mahu kita (FAM) mengambil tindakan undang-undang," kata Azzuddin yang kini berada di Slovakia.
Isu tersebut timbul apabila dua perlawanan awal skuad B-21 negara menentang pasukan Liga Divisyen Dua Slovakia, Liga I iaitu Slovan Duslo Sala dan MFK Ruzomberok sebenarnya hanyalah berstatus aksi persahabatan.
Ia jelas bertentangan dengan apa yang diberitahu pihak FAM sebelum ini yang menyatakan semua 14 perlawanan yang disediakan buat skuad B-21 negara itu dikira sebagai aksi kompetitif dalam liga tersebut.
Biarpun demikian, Azzuddin tetap menganggap akhbar tabloid tersebut tidak memahami tujuan asal FAM menghantar skuad pelapis negara itu ke Slovakia untuk tempoh tiga bulan sehingga penghujung Mei depan.
"Apa yang saya boleh komen dengan laporan seperti itu. Ia dengan sendirinya mendedahkan mutu atau tahap profesionalisme penulis itu sendiri.
"FAM tidak ada masa untuk melayan laporan-laporan seperti ini yang tidak memberi apa-apa faedah kepada pembangunan bola sepak negara.
"Tugas FAM ialah menyediakan pasukan bola sepak kebangsaan," kata Azzuddin menerusi khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) kepada Kosmo! semalam.
Azzuddin turut memohon pihak media tempatan supaya memberi sokongan kepada pasukan skuad B-21 negara itu dan bukan sebaliknya.
"Mereka (skuad B-21 negara) pergi ke Slovakia ini bukanlah untuk menjadi juara Liga Slovakia. Itulah yang pihak akhbar berkenaan tidak faham," tambah Azzuddin.
Sementara itu, laman sosial facebook Harimau Muda yang sebelum ini kerap mengemaskini status terbaru pasukan dari Slovakia setiap hari telah mengambil pendekatan 'tutup mulut' selepas laporan berita tersebut keluar.
"Pihak Harimau Muda mengambil pendekatan untuk tidak membuat sebarang komen berhubung status kami di Slovakia.
"Apa pun matlamatnya, kami di sini untuk mendapatkan pendedahan di peringkat yang kompetitif di samping memantapkan diri dan pasukan untuk cabaran yang akan datang.
"Hasil yang diperoleh dari sini akan kami gunakan sebaiknya demi memartabatkan sukan bola sepak negara," kata satu status di laman facebook berkenaan yang dikendalikan jurulatihnya, Azraai Khor Abdullah dan penolong jurulatih, Azman Eusoff.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
A gentle reminder for Muhyiddin
Loose cannon remains a skeptic, a cynic is more like it, when promises are made to overhaul the education system to accommodate sports. They remain empty promises usually. Or perhaps the academic-oriented culture is so entrenched in our system that no King and Minister let alone a civilian can offer a solution or remedial measures.
But Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin who oversaw the successful staging of the Commonwealth Games in 1998, seems bent on bucking the trend. The Education Minister and former Sports Minister has pleaded to the rakyat, critics and the sports fraternity to give him time to revamp the education system.
Almost on a weekly basis, Muhyiddin has something to announce.
1. 1Student, 1Sport
2. Commitment to football
3. Sports department in every State
4. Panel to develop sports in school
5. RM89 million allocation for sports and co-curricular activities
But let loose cannon remind you, Tan Sri, that the key to all the ideas proposed is the implementation. The delivery. Even if you have strategic thinkers to produce a master plan, who's going to deliver at the grassroots? A sports secretary in an academic-oriented school? Pegawai Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah (PPD)?
In the meantime, Tan Sri, you should remind the MSSM guys to refer to you before slashing any sport or event from the annual calendar. This would prevent the controversy over the exclusion of 11 sports from the MSSM calendar.
Also please take note, Tan Sri, during economic downturns, the budget for sports in schools is the first to be reduced. No allowance, no claims et cetera et cetera. So how?
And last but not least, can we have the best experts imparting their knowledge to our kids?
But Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin who oversaw the successful staging of the Commonwealth Games in 1998, seems bent on bucking the trend. The Education Minister and former Sports Minister has pleaded to the rakyat, critics and the sports fraternity to give him time to revamp the education system.
Almost on a weekly basis, Muhyiddin has something to announce.
1. 1Student, 1Sport
2. Commitment to football
3. Sports department in every State
4. Panel to develop sports in school
5. RM89 million allocation for sports and co-curricular activities
But let loose cannon remind you, Tan Sri, that the key to all the ideas proposed is the implementation. The delivery. Even if you have strategic thinkers to produce a master plan, who's going to deliver at the grassroots? A sports secretary in an academic-oriented school? Pegawai Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah (PPD)?
In the meantime, Tan Sri, you should remind the MSSM guys to refer to you before slashing any sport or event from the annual calendar. This would prevent the controversy over the exclusion of 11 sports from the MSSM calendar.
Also please take note, Tan Sri, during economic downturns, the budget for sports in schools is the first to be reduced. No allowance, no claims et cetera et cetera. So how?
And last but not least, can we have the best experts imparting their knowledge to our kids?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
21 days to go...
It's no walk in the park whoever sits on one of the hottest seats in Malaysian sports, the director-general of National Sports Council (NSC). The post comes with great responsibilities, ranging from devising the strategies and training programmes to win medals in multi-sports events to overseeing the welfare of the elite athletes. Naturally NSC comes under the microscope often.
Like any statutory body established under Federal laws, NSC is empowered to invest and purchase properties. By now, the chalets must be worth more than RM1 million.
The issue here is:
1. Proper procedure was not adhered to;
2. Why was it kept under wraps from 2005?
Despite the reprimand handed to Datuk Zolkples Embong, the Management Board chaired by Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek have approved the purchase recently.
PUTRAJAYA: The National Sports Council (NSC) has been given 21 days to report to the disciplinary board over the purchase of two premier seasidechalets worth RM850,000 in 2004.
The Sports Ministry gave the NSC officials, involved in the now infamous 'chalet episode', three weeks to submit their report.
Sports Ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Yasin Salleh, who also chairs the disciplinary board, confirmed the letters have been sent to individuals involved and is now awaiting their response within the given time frame. Yasin declined to reveal contents of the show cause letter.
Among those who received copies of the letter is current NSC directorgeneral Datuk Zolkples Embong.
"I suppose it's not appropriate to discuss details of the letter right now. The letters have gone out and they have also been given enough time to appeal.
"Let’s wait for their response. We should have something to say in a couple weeks time."
The Malay Mail, in its report "NSC in the soup — again!" on Feb 4, revealed that the council was ticked-off by the Auditor-General for purchasing two luxury units of the Legend Water Chalets in Port Dickson.
The chalets, installed with jacuzzi and see-through floor panels with a view of the sea, resembles more of a honeymoon suite. Its purchase was not in compliance with Government Contracts Act 1949 (revised 1979) and the NSC Act 1971.
Then director-general Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad had "verbally instructed" his officials, including Zolkples, to buy the property for use by the NSC community and for investment purposes.
For the record, the chalets have not been used since its completion in 2006 and were kept in the dark until recently.
Meanwhile, Yasin revealed that there has been little news on the status of the Champions Youth Cup (CYC) fiasco.
"The matter is still at the Attorney General’s office table. We’ve not heard anything new about it."
The CYC, with staging rights of RM17 million per year, was first held in 2007 amidst much controversy. It was scrapped the following year after the FA of Malaysia objected to the sanctioning of the tournament, forcing the organisers, Gifted Group Limited, to file a case against the Sports Ministry.
SPA FC, SDFC add colour to FAM League
That's Zulkifli Affendi Zakri in the middle, squatting. He's the skipper for SPA FC
Minding the net is former Penang, Perlis, Malacca Telekom and national keeper Kamarulzaman Hassan...
known in the football circles as Ayoi
SPA FC rearguard will be helmed by Nidzam Jamil (left), here with Fabien Barthez and Azmin Azram Aziz (pic 2001) This season's FAM League offers an intriguing prospect. No doubt it's the third division under the M-League hierarchy but with the presence of SPA FC and SDFC, prepare for fireworks.
Interestingly, SPA, its not SPA where you go for rejuvenation eh, it stands for Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Awam or Public Services Commission in English, and Sime Darby FC, will feature ex-internationals in their line-up.
SPA FC, the first ever government agency to take part in the domestic league, were unveiled at Putrajaya two days ago, featuring three ex-internationals Kamarulzaman Hassan, Nidzam Jamil and Zulkifli Affendi Zakri as the backbone. The trio were very much part of Allan Harris' set-up in 2000-2002.
SDFC, with former FA of Malaysia treasurer Datuk Seri Mohamad Sulaiman as chairman and Tengku Ahmad Shah as team manager, boast of Mohd Nor Ismail, former Kuala Lumpur, Perak and KM Naza forward, as the skipper.
Now let us see how a Government agency and the country's leading conglomerate perform starting Sunday!
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