09/11/1997
THE National Sports Council (NSC) yesterday took Malaysian Sepak Takraw
Association (PSM) to task for their lackadaisical attitude towards
grassroots development.
NSC liason officer Ahmad Shapawi, speaking at the PSM annual general
meeting in Kuala Lumpur, said:
"Initially, when we set the target for the Jakarta Sea Games, they were
listed as capable of winning two gold medals. A week before the Games, we
had to revise the list when we found out that there was no hope."
Malaysia returned with two silvers from Jakarta.
Ahmad listed down four steps to revive sepaktakraw in Malaysia and PSM
president Datuk Saidin Tamby, speaking like a true politician, said that
they will look into Ahmad's proposals.
"Firstly, PSM must start training coaches at State level to produce a
capable pool for the Asian Games in 2006," said Ahmad.
At present there is no clear indication of who is the national coach as
PSM rotate coaches according to tournaments. This, Ahmad said, is the main
reason for the downslide.
The second problem is preparation. "Right now when there is a national
call-up, the States send in names of players who are not properly
trained."
The players had less than two months training for the Sea Games.
Ahmad is also worried with what he called "a vacuum between school and
the Grand Prix."
When the players turn 18 and leave school, they do not have proper
tournaments to keep them busy pied and many leave the sport.
"The solution could be to organise a junior circuit, for players between
the ages of 19 and 21 so that they can continue training and playing."
The fourth solution comes with a warning.
"We have placed sepaktakraw under our development programme and have
been pumping in money to support the programme.
"If PSM do not utilise these benefits, there is no use in NSC spending
money for development. We might as well pull out."
OFFICE BEARERS - President: Datuk Saidin Tamby; Deputy president: Datuk
Tengku Mohammad; Vice-presidents: Ramli Harun, Zainal Zain.
(END)
