Umpires to lead revolution

26/08/2002

THE Penang State Hockey Association has given the mandate to its Umpires
Board to form an independent body answerable only to its members, in what
is hoped to to improve umpiring standards.
Penang HA Umpires Board chairman John Inbaraj revealed yesterday that he
has received the mandate from his State HA to register an independent body
to lead umpires in the country.
"The Penang HA has given me the green light to register an independent
body to lead umpires. While we are in the process of doing so, we will
call on all states to do likewise and the Malaysian Hockey Federation to
lead in the formation of a Malaysian Hockey Umpires Association.
"An independent body answerable to it members is certainly a better
alternative to the current set-up which is remote controlled by the MHF,"
said Inbaraj.
The move will be initiated at the end of the year when Penang host the
29th Pesta Hoki USM-Penang 2002 on Dec 20-22.
"That is when we will have a large number of officials in town and a
meeting will be called to set things right in the umpiring section."
He said that during the the 1996/7 term, Penang HA's MHF Umpires Board
(MHFUB) representative K. Kumarathiraviam drew up a comprehensive revised
MHFUB constitution which was endorsed by the MHF Council and forwarded to
MHFUB for implementation, but the Board refused to do so mainly because it
was to be elected by State representatives.
"All one needs to do is to take a look at the MHFUB constitution and see
the blatant violations that take place. Then take a look at the MHF
constitution and see the violations that take place.
"What about MHFUB funds? To whom are accounts tabled? Why are umpires
not given statement of accounts when their money is utilised by the
MHFUB?," questioned Inbaraj.
Inbaraj feels that Malaysian sports administrators have often turned on
the "power" in order to stifle dissent.
"Unlike politics, dissent in sports is not a national threat. Yet these
people seem threatened to the extent of forcibly hanging on.
"Many things have happened in Malaysian sport. Nothing however, compares
to the revolutionary changes that can be seen in the likes of the J-League
and South Korean hockey."
When South Korea hosted the Asian Games in 1986 they came from nowhere
to grab the gold. Since then even their women have climbed to the top of
the world. And they remain consistent.
"The Malaysians smarted from being out of the medal ranks in 1986 and
formed a think-tank to win back the bronze in the next Games in New Dehli
- a tournament four years away. That was the level of Malaysian thinking.
A bronze four years away despite bringing in Australian maestro Terry
Walsh.
"Sixteen years later, we have not changed a bit. The bulk of the
officials remain. Systems have not improved. If anything overall standards
have deteriorated," said Inbaraj.
The MHF, he charged, has no solid links with States on development. That
coaches are arbitrarily appointed, while match officials and umpires are
appointed at the whims and fancies of the powers that be.
He also took the affiliates to task for "blindly giving the mandate to
the same officials to carry on."
"But then we know that the so-called democratic process is not
democracy-friendly and can be easily manipulated.
"This, perhaps, is where the National Sports Council (NSC) or the Sports
Commissioner's (SC) office can play a very important role. To ensure
fairness in the election of office bearers, the Sports Commissioner would
do well to standardise an election process and election rules that are
above board."
Inbaraj suggested that;
* ELECTIONS are called by the SC's office in accordance with the
constitution.
* THE SC calls for the relevant bodies to submit audited accounts,
reports and legal requirements prior to calling for a General Meeting.
* THE entire election process beginning with calling for nominations and
resolutions, endorsements etc be conducted from the SC's office.
* HAVE general rules for all sports bodies with regards to voting rights
and ensure that the major portion of the decision rests with affiliates.
* TO ensure that state and national constitutions align with one another
and are not in conflict.
* ENSURE that resolutions of the GM are fulfilled in time.
"To reconstruct sports much needs to be done. We need ethical people who
can access their achievements and contributions and if they fall short,
must willingly step down.
"In any case a six-year term for any official should be the base line,"
suggested Inbaraj.
(END)