BREAKING NEWS

Many may not have realized this, but the man who actually groomed Lee Chong Wei into a world beater was Li Mao.

And the Chinese coach, who severed ties with the Indonesian BA before the Olympics is in town negotiating a contract with a club, not KLRC.

Li Mao worked with Chong Wei after the latter was first identified by Morten Frost Hansen after which his skills were polished by the late Indra Gunawan.

It was Li Mao who then put the final touches to make Chong Wei a complete player before he left due to differences with BAM.

Li Mao arrived in Kuala Lumpur last week and is on the verge of signing a contract with the club, and what a boost for Independant players as thy can now seek his expertise.

The lesson learnt here is simple, unlike BAM who made such a big fanfare about resigning Park Joo Bong till it fell flat on their faces, as the Korean now stands accused of playing BAM, a club was more professional then the national body.

I had kept this news for the past week, hoping some badminton enthusiast will break the news, but this is a Christmas present to all.

Though yet to sign on the dotted line, Li Mao was said to have started training some players late last week.

MALAYSIA IN WOrLD CUP FINAL

Their achievement in making the final of the 3rd World Cup will cost the government a bundle of money.

And even if they lose to India, they are assured of incentives under the Shakam, the sports incentive scheme that is under the jurisdiction of the National Sports Council.

And the Olympic Council of Malaysia could well nominate them for the team of the year.

But above all the Minister of Youth and Sports and his merry men will be at KLIA awaiting the arrival of the team with garlands, and in the process gain vital political mileage.

The only problem is other then the fact they wear the Jalur Gemilang with pride that BAM ditched, there is nothing Malaysian about the women's team calling themselves Malaysia at the Kabbadi World Cup in Jalandhar India.

Still the event telecast live in India has put Malaysia on the world map and the Tourism Ministry could not have come up with a better way to promote Malaysia in the eyes of the Indian public.

Lets hope they win the final and at least we have a world champion besides Nocol David.

And OCM still not late to give the Women Sport Achievement award to these girls instead of an undeserving person who has no respect for the pain suffered by a person of the same gender.

THE 2013 CALENDAR

Since three persons of the MHC Competitions Committee have made baseless accusations, I hereby go one step further to expose their lack of concern towards hockey by releasing the long overdue competitions schedule for 2013.

There seems to be a tendency to hold a women's tournament similar to the men's, and this will put a heavy burden on the finances of MHC.

-Malaysian Junior Hockey League - 11th Jan – 3rd March

-Malaysian Hockey League – 22nd March – 12th May

-National Under 16 (M) – 22 March – 31st March

-National Under 16 (W) – 22 March – 31st March

-RNA Cup (W) – 15th April – 21st April

-National Under 21 (M) – 18th May – 25th May

-National Under 21 (W) – 18th May – 25th May

-MSSM (M&W) – 3rd June – 8th June

-Razak Cup – 7th September – 15th September

-National Indoor (M&W) 2nd October – 4th October

-MSN Under 16 Indoor (M&W) 7th November – 10th November

-National Under 14 (M) 18th November – 27th November

-National Under 14 (W) 18th November – 27th November

-National Veterans 28th November – 1st December

ANY RESPONSE BAM?

SUCKER PUNCH FOR BAM

The Badminton Association of Malaysia never admitted that they put money over nation as they have yet to explain the case of the missing Malaysian flag on the attire of their players.

And yet non Malaysians are proud to wear the Malaysian flag, so much so a group of Indian kabaddi players formed a Malaysian team to participate in the World Cup. Read that story below.

So while our very own Malaysian body is somewhat ashamed to wear the national flag with pride, we can see that others have no issue displaying the Jalur Gemilang with utmost pride.

So has OCM have a 45th affiliate or are these kabaddi players specially funded under the Ministry of Youth and Sports who it is learnt are he'll bent on taking over the role of funding sports in the country?

And has anyone checked on the fact that KBS is now privatizing a lot of facilities that were built and managed by NSC in the past?

So in the spirit of Christmas, will BAM and KBS come clean on this?....,Read and enjoy.

The ongoing circle Kabaddi World Cup has attracted a myriad of teams from Asia, Europe and even South America.

But the fact that the organisers have allowed a team of Indian players masquerading as a foreign team certainly does not augur well for a tournament seeking legitimacy in the sporting world.

The so-called Malaysian women’s team at the championships is made up of mainly Indian citizens who are working or studying or just visiting Malaysia. The team is not entered by either of the two recognised national kabaddi bodies in the country – Malaysia Kabaddi Federation or the Kabaddi Association of Malaysia.

It is learnt that the so-called team led by an official from Punjab had forged a letterhead of a non-existent kabaddi association in Malaysia to enter the team for the tournament.

Just how the organisers allowed such a travesty take place is beyond anyone’s reasoning. Was there no verification of players’ eligibility carried out by the organisers?

That they allowed a group of non citizens to claim they represent Malaysia and use the flag is scandalous. The Malaysian government is not likely to take this lightly as it is learnt that an official protest is expected to be made to the Indian Embassy by the kabaddi fraternity in Malaysia.

How will the Indian government react if a group of foreign students or workers decides to represent India in a major international competition without legitimate recognition?

Or will the organisers of the next edition of the World Cup bring in more illegitimate teams like this and cheat the public and themselves, just so they have many teams participating?

If the Malaysian team at the World Cup is a farce, the question that needs to be asked is whether the other teams in competition were also similarly constituted.

Circle kabaddi is not a popular form of kabaddi in Malaysia. Almost all competitions in the country are in the National (Asian) Style. While Beach Kabaddi is also played in Malaysia, Circle kabaddi is still played predominantly by Indian expatriates in Malaysia.

This is a major mismanagement by the relevant parties and must be nipped in the bud. The previous editions of the World Cup were tainted by doping and this latest bungle does not help the sport.

Perhaps the Indian Sports Ministry should look into this seriously and also ensure that the organisers and the fake team apologise to Malaysia.

Read more: http://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/12/10/seeking-legitimacy-the-illegal-way/#ixzz2En6klGVG

BMW PRECISION FOR TENNIS

The BMW Malaysia National Circuit Masters 2012 is set to serve up end to end tennis action from the next generation of Malaysian tennis stars. The tournament will take place from Tuesday, 11th to Sunday,16th December 2012 at the Kompleks Tenis Tun Razak, Jalan Duta. 

The Masters competition is the culmination of all the BMW Malaysian National Circuit competition legs during the 2012 calendar year and will see Malaysian tennis’ top ranked Malaysian men and women players face off in the various Age Groups, namely Open, 16U and 14U. 

The results of this final Open Category will determine the female members eligible for the wildcard entries to the BMW Malaysian Open and also selection to other international events by Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) like the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, WJTC, SEA Games and other Regional Games. The Masters also carries the honour of being one of the LTAM’s key platforms to select the 2013 Malaysian Elite Squad.

Throughout the 2012 competition year, over 600 aspiring tennis players competed in the BMW Malaysian National Circuit 2012 which consisted of four legs of open competition with anyone over the age of 14 eligible for entry. 

A maximum of 128 male and 64 female players participated in each of the legs of the two-tier knock-out competition, competing for a prize purse of MYR 30,000 per leg. Each leg of the BMW Malaysian National Circuit also carried Malaysian ranking points to determine the player’s Malaysian ranking to qualify for this BMW Malaysia National Circuit Masters 2012. 

No stranger to the sport of tennis, the BMW Group has had a long standing involvement in the sport of tennis around the world and headlines leading events including the BMW Open in Munich, Germany. 

In Malaysia, the premium automaker is the title sponsor of the leading ladies professional event in the country, the BMW Malaysian Open, which is sanctioned by the Women’s Tennis Association and continues to drive the growth of the game at the local level. 

Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications, BMW Group Malaysia said, “The BMW Malaysia National Circuit continues to be a clear reflection of our commitment to the sport of tennis across the full spectrum of participation levels – amateur to professional here in Malaysia. It is an authentic approach which is shared across all the sporting initiatives the BMW Group is involved in which include Golf, Motorsports and Sailing.”

Ambi added that BMW Malaysia will continue to drive the nation’s passion, awareness and acceptance of the game of tennis in the country and at the same time provide the competitive environment that will allow leading Malaysian players to continuously develop their skill and expand their experience to an international level.

BMW Group Malaysia also further announced that the premium carmaker will extend its commitment to the BMW Malaysian National Circuit with a further five legs in 2013, including the Masters. Each of the 2013 legs of the BMW Malaysian National Circuit will again carry a prize-purse of RM 30,000 and Malaysian ranking points. 

The top 16 Malaysian players will then compete against each other in the round-robin Masters to determine their Malaysian ranking and selection into the National Squad for the following year.

Malaysia’s Minister for Youth and Sports, YB Dato' Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said, “ It is gratifying to see both the LTAM and organizations like BMW working together to enhance the sport of tennis in Malaysia by providing international level tennis locally for our budding players to compete.

“The Ministry of Youth and Sports has always encouraged private and corporate organizations alike to support the development of sports in the country. It is crucial that we have enough programs in place to develop future sportsman to represent Malaysia. Tennis is now becoming a more popular sport among our youth and we already have some players that have shown tremendous potential.

With this Masters, we are really looking forward to seeing the next generation of tennis stars born and the makings of a strong solid National Squad that will do Malaysia proud.” 

WHAT'S UP BAM?

"Wisdom is the chief and leader: next follows temperance; and from the union of these two with courage springs justice. These four virtues take precedence in the class of divine goods.” Plato, The Laws, Bk. I, 631.

 

But in a cut-throat, competitive world where money is worshipped and monetary success is becoming the all-important yardstick for a life well-lived, are morals becoming an unnecessary hindrance? 

Or are fair-play and merit still important in the office and off the pitch?

Sports are a big part of culture across the world and often play an important role in our lives - whether one participates at the professional level or in pick-up games or watches sports on TV.

It is commonly said that sports build character, but we hear more and more accounts of un-sportsmanlike, unethical, and even illegal conduct at all levels of administration and competition.

Levels of competition has increased in recent times but I do not see that as the reason for the decline in values. 

On the contrary, competition propels you to upgrade yourself all the time, which in turn is useful for the welfare of the society.

The saga of Park Joo Bong went on to emphasise just how unprofessional and unethical the badminton administrators in the countrey have become.

Trying to pich someone who is still legally in contreact and enticing him with a lucrative deal went on to show that ignorance and arrogance have a major role to play towards destroying the very essence sports is played in the first place - as rules of Fair Play are chucked out of the window.

Then you hear of the fact that BAM just whimpered when an NSC official told them that not under any circumstances can the BAM look at appointing a former sports official into their stable.

Now if the NSC officer had actually said it, then BAM should have had the scrotal gumption to say "do not interefere". But it maybe due to the fact that BAM created such an excuse. So who is telling the truth? Frankly there are good story tellers in both organisations.

BAM has more twists then Dallas, Petticoat Junction and Dynasty put together. Right from the Olympic failures they have just gone arounmd promising heaven and earth.

The simplest thing for them to do is pack up and leave.

DEVELOPING WINNING MENTALITY

While describing the technique of archery in Eugen Herrigel's classic Zen and the Art of Archery, the Zen master states: 

“The more obstinately you try to learn how to shoot the arrow for the sake of hitting the goal, the less you will succeed in the one and the further the other will recede.” 

This is the best way to achieve your goal—a dissociated state of awareness. 

Winning is secondary. What matters is whether you are aware of your goal and how you are going to achieve it.

Ask any psychologist and he will tell you that the mind is a strange machine. 

It records everything that ever happened in your life and stores all the images for posterity. 

And this storehouse provides the sportsperson mental strength and a positive frame of mind. 

To play well, you must visualize all the positive games you have played before the big day. 

This conditions the reflexes to react accordingly. Imagery allows the player to practice and prepare for events and eventualities he can never expect to train for in reality.

Too often these individuals have thrived despite of the system or relied on a chance encounter with an exceptional coach. 

We can no longer rely on chance and goodwill. We need to learn the lessons of our competitor nations and have the most professional system for talent development and support of excellence. 

It is virtually impossible to give tips on the state of sporting nirvana, as it were. 

But the definition that probably comes closest can be found in these words of Herrigel’s Zen master: 

“You can learn from an ordinary bamboo leaf what ought to happen. It bends lower and lower under the weight of snow. Suddenly the snow slips to the ground without the leaf having stirred... So, indeed, it is: when the tension is fulfilled, the shot must fall, it must fall from the archer like snow from a bamboo leaf, before he even thinks of it.”

A BIG FAT LIE

This is what BAM said some two weeks ago when the issue of the missing flag was highlighted in Harian Metro.

But watching the live telecast of the Danish Open Final showed clearly that the flag was still missing, perhaps now it will be another lie to cover the incompetency.

BAM akui tersilap

Oleh Mohd Hilmie Hussin
[email protected]

PERSATUAN Badminton Malaysia (BAM) mengaku berlaku kesilapan teknikal berikutan ketiadaan Jalur Gemilang di jersi pemain negara yang beraksi di kejohanan antarabangsa.

Pengurus Besar BAM, Kenny Goh berkata, bendera negara sepatutnya dilekatkan di dada pemain dan beliau akan memastikan Jalur Gemilang kembali mendapat tempat di setiap jersi pemain negara.

“Kami akan letak kembali bendera negara, cuma di Terbuka Taiwan kami tidak sempat untuk mencetak bendera,” kata Kenny yang memberi jaminan perkara itu tidak berulang.

Pada Terbuka Taiwan berakhir kelmarin, tidak ada seorangpun pemain BAM menyarung jersi yang tertera bendera negara.

Hal ini juga berlaku di Terbuka Jepun yang menyaksikan Datuk Lee Chong Wei muncul juara tapi tidak lagi mengucup bendera di dada sebagaimana sering dilakukannya ketika meraih setiap gelaran.

Suffice to say some are too free to criticize this blog via another blog. Go ahead and do what low life people do.

ANOTHER JOURNALIST SUED

Just a few days after the National Union of Journalists raised the issue of intimidation of sports journalists, we can now reveal that a journalist has received a letter of demand from a sports official that has close links with the Badminton Association of Malaysia.

The letter of demand was received yesterday and although the details are still sketchy, it is apparently on an article the journalist wrote with regards to preferential treatment received by some badminton players.

The plaintiff who has close ties with two top BAM officials is obviously peeved at what was written and this comes in wake of the two BAM officials having somewhat issued veiled threats against journalists last month.

This culture of issuing letter of demands for defamation against sports journalists is bad for sports as it is sports that will eventually lose out as there will no longer be reports of critical thinking or analysis thus rendering sports coverage to just results of events.

SAFEE SALI - VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES

Only Safee Sali can help himself to get out of the current mess he is and in reality its a decision that he has to make on his own.

The Football Association of Malaysia Deputy President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said that it was Safee to make the right decisions to overcome the impasse.

He said this when posed a question with regards to the position of Safee at a press conference during the launch of Pahang Hockey 5 year development program.

"FAM did not make a mistake, who said FAM made a mistake," retorted Tengku Abdullah.

"Safee in a situation where he is fully aware that he is playing in a league that is said to be not sanctioned by the Indonesian FA.

"It is a critical situation and he was well aware of the risks he undertook and the consequences of playing in such a league. He has a contract and needs to get out of the contract. That is his choice as we at FAM do not curtail a player seeking fortunes elsewhere.

" I tried to save the situation on a personal note and hopefully he will not be banned and through efforts undertaken. He is a victim of the circumtances but self inflicted."

On Peter Butler, Tengku Abdullah said he was unawares of the fact that FAM had turned down the appeal and will leave it to FAM to resolve the issue.

STOP HARASSING SPORTS WRITERS

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) calls on the National Sports Council and national sports associations to stop intimidating sports writers by sending legal notice for publishing unfavourable
reports about them.

The reporters, just like journalists operating in other beats, are carrying out their public duties to serve their audience, be it readers, viewers or listeners.

They carry public interest stories as the development of sports are closely followed by the young and old.

The government allocates funds to develop and promote sports events and journalists have the right to expose wrong doings and mismanagement.

The NUJ believe sports writers and their media organisations subscribe to fair reporting which includes giving aggrieved parties the right to reply.

The practice of sending notice of demand to critical sports writers tantamount to intimidating them from pursuing investigative reporting.

We assure sports writers that the NUJ will spring into action, including defend their right to carry out their duties free from harassment.

Our call is in response to two former Malay Mail reporters who have been issued letters of demand by the NSC for stories published last year and this year.

One of the reports is a subject matter in court now.

We have also received feedbacks that reporters occasionally received legal notices but the aggrieved parties did not pursue further like filing legal suits.

Thank you.

V. Anbalagan
General Secretary
National Union of Journalists

CHONG WEI TO WED MEW CHOO NOV 10

Contrary to what is being said and written, Dato Lee Chong Wei will tie the knot with Wong Mew Choo on November 10.

And he will make details of the wedding known soon.

Chong Wei clarified that arrangements are being made and a more detailed program will be announced at a Press Conference soon.

" Bro, I will have a press conference soon about details on my wedding. The date is November 10 and not as what they are saying everywhere else. Hope you can help clarify this," said Chong Wei.

WHY NO JALUR GEMILANG BAM?

Well it sure looks like that. Just look at the picture above and tell me where is the Jalur Gemilang? It was watching the Taiwan Open on TV that got me asking the missing Jalur Gemilang on the playing attire of the Malaysian players at international events.

The Badminton World Federation allows five adverts on the front of the playing attire and looking at the attire one can see that all five are given to sponsors - Yonex. Maxis, Maybank, Astro and Proton.

So I guess its perfectly okay to ignore the Jalur Gemilang and place sponsors. just how much money do you need BAM? After all isn't the government the biggest contributor - via funding from the National Sports Council.

So why ignore them. Make public please the amount that BAM gets from all the sponsors and from the government. Then we must rationalise the return of investment both for the private and public sectors.

Over to you BAM, not that I expect you to answer as transparency was never your strongpoint.

DEFAMATION OFFICIAL IS KOK CHI

"I believe in the justice system in the country and I maintain I have not defamed anyone. Therefore I should no be persecuted as such."

Those were the words of Olympic Council of Malaysia Secretary Dato Sieh Kok Chi who was issued a letter of demand by lawyers representing the National Sports Council.

Thius blog yesterday revealed about an official being issued a letter of demand or risk facing an allegation of defamation and Kok Chi confirmed that he was the person who was alleged to have uttered statements that NSC deemed as defamatory.

The action by the National Sports Council against Kok Chi has the blessings of the Minister of Youth and Sports.

However informed sources within NSC has revealed that it was initiated by an officer that harbours hopes of replacing Dato Seri Zolkples Embong as the Director General and bears a deep grudge against Kok Chi of late.

Whatever it is, in the end both NSC and OCM have their respective roles to play and thus both Kok Chi and Zolkples ought to sit over a cup of coffee and talk things over.

EXCLUSIVE: THE DATO ZAINAL INTERVIEW

EXCLUSIVE: Many have tried but failed to get newly elected MAU President Dato Zainal Abidin Haji Ahmad to speak up after he was elected to the hot seat of President some two weeks ago. This blog managed to get in touch with Dato Zainal and he agreed to provide some answers to questions posed, both via email and over the phone.

Having known Dato Zainal since 1993, I must vouch for his sincerity and credibility and love for athletics. No doubt it will take him time to overcome the issues, but what matters is that he will do things with conviction, as he has a 33 years unblemished civil service record to fall back upon.

Read on the exclusive interview:

Note: For those who desire to lift the quotes from here, please feel free to do so but contact the blogger for permission.

SSD: What made you go for the President's post at MAU given the fact that as a former civil servant with 33 years of service with an impeccable record you were wading into dangerous though not unchartered waters?

DZ: My observation is that MAU is not doing well and I felt, with my experience the last 45 years, I can try to put things right after I discovered no one is being nominated for the post! Now that I am given the opportunity, I want to give the association the leadership it requires and to better manage it. The rest will follow. To do this I need the support of all members in the Council, the government and the public sector. With everybody's cooperation we will turn around the association.  

SSD: Please share with us your service record in athletics as you have had years of involvement in different capacities.