Grow up you ungrateful brat

16/06/1999

WHO does Hidayat Hamidon think he is? Does a Commonwealth Games gold allow
an athlete to call the shots and force the national association to go on
their knees to beg him for another assignment?
These questions spring to mind when one considers the recent behaviour
of this so-called hercules of Malaysia who thought he was doing everyone a
favour.
His disappearence after the Bangkok Asian Games was shrouded in mystery.
Some said he wanted to rest while others said he was plain lazy - after
receiving a jackpot of RM130,000 and a Proton Perdana worth RM69,000 for
his record-breaking feat in the 69kg clean and jerk event at last
September's Commonwealth Games.
To top it all, he was awarded the Ahli Mangku Negara (AMN) by Yang di-
Pertuan Agong Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah in his official 73rd
birthday's honours list.
This would make Hidayat seem like an ungrateful brat.
And it's baffling that the National Sports Council, who went through the
trouble of securing him a Malaysian citizenship, have not done anything
about his five-month disappearance.
NSC director-general Datuk Mazlan Ahmad was defensive when asked if any
action will be taken against Hidayat.
"There won't be as he is back and all is fine in the weightlifting
scene," said Mazlan yesterday.
Fine for whom? What sort of message is Mazlan sending to athletes
preparing for the Brunei and 2001 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games?
Is he saying NSC will condone such behaviour if he is a Commonwealth or
world champion?
An NSC top official also had the cheek to say that only people of
unsound mind take up weightlifting because you have to pump iron like mad
and thus become one, too. He said it is best to leave them alone.
And this after Mazlan had lashed out at several top athletes who have
become disinterested and lazy after last year's Commonwealth Games.
The NSC boss said the athletes' indifference is causing problems to
their national associations and preparations for the 2001 Sea Games to be
hosted by Malaysia.
So why take the easy way out now, Mazlan?
Hidayat's behaviour should be made into a lesson for all with a harsh
punishment. Commonwealth champion or no, he should be told that no one is
indispensable.
Weightlifters are expensive to develop and to prepare Hidayat for the
2001 Sea Games, NSC have set aside a budget of RM20,000 per month, which
includes vitamins and food supplements and a special dietry programme to
build the right muscles.
Then there are foreign coaches and stints involved to get him prepared
for the Games. If Hidayat is let off the hook this time, what guarantee is
there he will not pull off another similar stunt after the 2001 Games?
Then, NSC would be left with a hefty bill and an AWOL athlete.
When 20 track and field athletes who, in demanding for higher
allowances, had threatened to boycott the Brunei Games in August, Mazlan
didn't waste much time in scolding them.
He was then quoted as saying: "That's the trouble with some of our
athletes. They expect too much for too little and if Hidayat thinks he can
take it easy, he can forget about getting financial support from the NSC."
Now it appears as though Mazlan's level of tolerance has abated.
Perhaps the Olympic Council of Malaysia, who have a big say in who gets
what from the IOC, should withdraw the International Olympic Committee
grant to help Hidayat qualify for next year's Sydney Olympics.
The success of a good development programme depends on a wide base.
Let's not depend on just one athlete.
Stanley Robert from Sarawak, Steve Gampion and Jerry Nonong of Sabah
need just as much attention to become weightlifting champions.
It's time to dump the ungrateful and develop those still hungry for
glory.
(END)