Protest, Police, water bottles ...

By Jugjet Singh
jugjet@nst.com.my

THE hall was full or men and women armed with long sticks, and a judging dispute almost turned into a free-for all in the Malaysia Games Silambam tournament at the National Sports Council Gymnasium yesterday.
Only intervention by the Police cooled down matters.
In a sport dominated by Indians, the fresh breath of air came from Sabah’s Nizam Jamal in the 38-43kg category when he beat Negri Sembilan’s M. Inderjith to the gold medal.
However, Negri were shocked by their athletes defeat, and there was a tensed moment when they filed a protest on the result.
Nizam was unfairly cornered, and Negri officials took him to the judges table without any Sabah official accompanying, but the judges told them to file a written report instead.
Negri filed the report, but the score stood and Sabah kept the gold medal.
But Negri athletes and officials, angry with the decision, boycotted the prize giving ceremony, and their athletes were also seen throwing water bottles at the judges.
Malaysia Games Organising voce-president Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdullah said: “I’m very disappointed by the actions of the Negri Sembilan officials. They are supposed to set good examples for the junior exponents who could be future national athletes.
“It is shameful and unsportsmanlike. How can they do this to their own athletes, but this is not the first time these officials have caused trouble in silambam,” said Jalil.
Malaysian Silambam Association president R.C. Veerasee lan said: “These two officials (Rasu Maniam Negri Silambam chairman and chief coach N. Mooralitharan) are actually suspended from taking part in national events.
“But they turned up this morning at the venue. We didn't want to throw them out as we thought they would behave themselves. Unfortunately, they have once again caused a ruckus and we will make a police report against them.
“We are lucky there were two police personnel present to escort them out of the hall,” said Veeraseelan.
On the tournament side, Deep Joth Singh from Nilai, Negri Sembilan displayed super skills and nimble feet to walk way with the 44-50kg Silambam Combat gold at the
However the Malaysia Games gold was expected, as the 14- year-old had won two gold and three silvers in the First Silambam World Championships in India last year.
“I started training when I was six years old, and follow the regime daily. The Malaysia Games gold is a first for me, but I have won two gold and three silvers (in five different disciplines that he took part) in the inaugural World Cham pionships,” said the scrawny looking lad who transforms into a fighter when he holds the silambam stick.
His motivation to join the sport?
“It was from my own initiative as I loved the sport after watching a demonstration. And I have never regretted taking it up, as it teaches me discipline and keeps me fit at the same time.
“My next target is to make a clean sweep in the World Championships in December this year,” said the confident lad.
RESULTS (all finals): -- Men: 30-37kg: 1 R. Raajesh (Pg), 2 R. Manalan (Ked), 3 B. Thanaraj (Sel) and K. Kaveearassu (Pk).
38-43kg: 1 Nizam Jamal (Sab), 2 M. Inderjith (Negri), 3 R. Kavikumar (pg) and R. Sasitharan (Per).
44-50kg: 1 Deep Joth Singh a/l Piara Singh (Negri), 2 R, Ravi (Pg), 3 A. Kumaresan (Sel) and Yusdi Ranil (Sab).
51-55kg: 1 R. Prakash (Ked), 2 R. Gajenthiran (Per), 3 G. Thinakaswaran (Negri) and R. Uthayakumar (Sel).
Women: 51-55kg -- 1 S. Kaviarasi (Ked), 2 M. Viknehsvary (Negri), 3 K. Priteive (Pk) and R. Mayilselvi (KL).
56-65kg: 1 G. Kmarathe (Negri), 2 Percella Kebing (Sab), 3 B. Nithyah (Perlis) and J. Darshini (Sel).