20/08/2003
THE National juniors have started playing like the seniors as they had
Pakistan under wraps before losing 5-2 in the opening match of the FIH
Youth Carnival in Poznan, Poland on Monday.
Megat Azrafiq scored off a penalty corner in the 11th minute, but
Pakistan equalised in the 18th minute and just before the break, made it
2-1.
But in the second half, even though Malaysia narrowed the gap to 3-2 off
a Tengku Tajuddin field goal, Pakistan romped home 5-2, with their final
goal coming off a penalty stroke.
This was the sketchy story patched up from bits and pieces the Malaysian
Hockey Federation could make out from the fax sent to them by team manager
Poon Fook Loke.
Attempts to contact coach Sarjit Singh and Fook Loke in Poland were
futile as they had moved from their designated hotel.
"It is very difficult to contact the team in Poland as they had moved
hotel for reasons only known to them. I tried to contact the FIH for the
full results, but the parent body was also unable to help," said Satgunam.
Malaysia, the defending champions, meet France in their next match.
(END)
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Kumaresan inducted
20/08/2003
CYCLIST M. Kumaresan and hurdler Nur Herman Majid were yesterday inducted
into the SportExcel Hall of Fame at the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala
Lumpur.
Last year, squash darling Nicol David, Ong Beng Hee and Shalin Zulkifli
were recognised for their efforts.
This year Kumaresan (cycling) and Nur Herman (athletics), two athletes
who are no longer active, are being recognised. "The SportExcel Hall of
Fame is restricted to those athletes who have been in receipt of
SportExcel funding and who have consistently achieved excellence at Asian
or World level while being good role models," said SportExcel president
Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar after welcoming the duo to the Hall of Fame.
"SportExcel is by any yardstick, a young organisation, but we have been
able to maintain a high profile in Malaysian sport through our junior
circuits and other activities.
"At the same time, we have also remained totally relevant to Malaysian
sport by carving a niche in the area of junior development. To date,
thousands of young juniors have benefited by competing on our circuits.
"As at the end of 2002, SportExcel had provided assistance to 82
athletes, some of whom had achieved excellence at the Asian and world
levels.
"Cricketer Arul Suppiah and Beng Hee are well on their way to achieving
their dream of becoming professionals in their field," said Tunku Imran.
Tunku Imran said SportExcel is proud to be able to play a part nurturing
Malaysian juniors: "It is truly our joy and vision to assist every
talented junior to realise his or her dream."
SportExcel is now looking towards Sabah and Sarawak.
"We will re-think our strategies, as one of our goals is to play a
bigger part in the development of juniors in Sabah and Sarawak. This will
be done with the co-operation of national associations and in respect of
our circuits.
"We believe that there is a huge reservoir of junior talent in Sabah and
Sarawak that has not been systematically tapped," concluded Tunku Imran.
Kumaresan, a household name in cycling, started his quest to represent
Malaysia at the age of 10, and received the country's highest sports award
when voted Sportsman of The Year in 1987.
"Some might say that at 10, one does not have an ambition yet. But for
me, I had a burning desire to represent the country from that age, and
tried my hand at numerous sports.
"But in the end, I found my niche in cycling and it has given me great
joy over the years by winning medals for the country," said Kumaresan.
The veteran cyclist has a collection of 19 medals, with nine golds from
the Sea Games and three silvers and one bronze from the Asian meet.
Nur Herman, synonymous with 110m hurdles, ruled the lanes from 1990 to
2001. He was the undisputed champion in six consecutive Sea Games starting
from 1991 in Manila till his farewell in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games.
He not only won gold in KL, but silenced his critics by clocking 14.02s,
a Sea Games record. His personal best of 13.73s, which won him bronze in
the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games, is still the current national record.
(END)
CYCLIST M. Kumaresan and hurdler Nur Herman Majid were yesterday inducted
into the SportExcel Hall of Fame at the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala
Lumpur.
Last year, squash darling Nicol David, Ong Beng Hee and Shalin Zulkifli
were recognised for their efforts.
This year Kumaresan (cycling) and Nur Herman (athletics), two athletes
who are no longer active, are being recognised. "The SportExcel Hall of
Fame is restricted to those athletes who have been in receipt of
SportExcel funding and who have consistently achieved excellence at Asian
or World level while being good role models," said SportExcel president
Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar after welcoming the duo to the Hall of Fame.
"SportExcel is by any yardstick, a young organisation, but we have been
able to maintain a high profile in Malaysian sport through our junior
circuits and other activities.
"At the same time, we have also remained totally relevant to Malaysian
sport by carving a niche in the area of junior development. To date,
thousands of young juniors have benefited by competing on our circuits.
"As at the end of 2002, SportExcel had provided assistance to 82
athletes, some of whom had achieved excellence at the Asian and world
levels.
"Cricketer Arul Suppiah and Beng Hee are well on their way to achieving
their dream of becoming professionals in their field," said Tunku Imran.
Tunku Imran said SportExcel is proud to be able to play a part nurturing
Malaysian juniors: "It is truly our joy and vision to assist every
talented junior to realise his or her dream."
SportExcel is now looking towards Sabah and Sarawak.
"We will re-think our strategies, as one of our goals is to play a
bigger part in the development of juniors in Sabah and Sarawak. This will
be done with the co-operation of national associations and in respect of
our circuits.
"We believe that there is a huge reservoir of junior talent in Sabah and
Sarawak that has not been systematically tapped," concluded Tunku Imran.
Kumaresan, a household name in cycling, started his quest to represent
Malaysia at the age of 10, and received the country's highest sports award
when voted Sportsman of The Year in 1987.
"Some might say that at 10, one does not have an ambition yet. But for
me, I had a burning desire to represent the country from that age, and
tried my hand at numerous sports.
"But in the end, I found my niche in cycling and it has given me great
joy over the years by winning medals for the country," said Kumaresan.
The veteran cyclist has a collection of 19 medals, with nine golds from
the Sea Games and three silvers and one bronze from the Asian meet.
Nur Herman, synonymous with 110m hurdles, ruled the lanes from 1990 to
2001. He was the undisputed champion in six consecutive Sea Games starting
from 1991 in Manila till his farewell in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games.
He not only won gold in KL, but silenced his critics by clocking 14.02s,
a Sea Games record. His personal best of 13.73s, which won him bronze in
the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games, is still the current national record.
(END)
Investigate Randburg, MHF
20/08/2003
THE spirit of protectionism in its core and original form, must have been
built on honest intentions and honourable values. Then, man evolved
further, and since then, given it a whole new perspective that now
balances precariously between safety and conspiracy.
The lines have been so blurred in this new context of protectionism that
it has become virtually impossible to tell if you are really helping or
conspiring against the one you profess to protect. Is it a cover that you
are providing, or a cover-up?
When master tacticians throw the proverbial bureaucratic cloak over
something that could be incriminating, it's not a cover-up. That's
strategic planning. For, by protecting the offender from prostration, they
have secured the exponent's silence and undivided loyalty.
If he is a formidable opponent, there would be neither cover nor a
cover-up. Which, if you come to think of it, also works out just fine for
the unsuspecting victims - namely you and me.
If he is a crony, the cover-up is normally dictated by, for want of a
better word in this context, honourable intentions. Like they say, the
path to hell is sometimes paved with good intentions.
But in this context though, honesty would normally prevail - as we have
seen so often - only after a cover is blown or when the damage has become
too colossal to cloak.
Which brings us to the raging forum in websites, expounding the alleged
sex scandal of two hockey players in South Africa recently during the
Champions Challenge where the national team took the nation deeper into
the abyss of oblivion.
For the record Malaysia, who started as favourites, finished last in
this tournament.
The call from readers and the sport's followers, is for an inquiry, a
thorough investigation to ascertain the credibility of the allegations,
and expose the offenders.
Just as alarming are suggestions that the Malaysian sportswriters who
were in Randburg to cover the tournament, were part of a conspiracy to
cover up the scandal.
Timesport's hockey writer Jugjet Singh, who had stayed in a different
hotel from the national team, explains that though he had heard about it,
wasn't able to chronicle it as he was neither a witness to the alleged
scandal, nor was he able to affirm it with an official statement.
All Jugjet was witness to was that, the two ladies in question were
vacationing Malaysian stewardesses who were friends of the two players,
stayed in the same hotel as the Malaysian sportswriters, and supported the
team in matches.
Team manager, Zulkifli Abbas - a former national goalkeeper - whom I
spoke to yesterday, said he is submitting a thorough report to the
Malaysian Hockey Federation and is leaving the question of an inquiry to
the discretion of the national body.
"And if they (MHF) find there is a cover-up, that is if they decide to
investigate further, I will be the first to resign," he assured.
But given the attention this bit of disturbing news has received from
the fraternity here and internationally, it would be judicious for the MHF
to conduct an inquiry with the genuine interest of getting to the truth -
whatever it may be - of this alleged scandal.
And may I suggest that this inquiry be conducted by an independent unit
that's neither subservient nor beholden to all the parties concerned, and
one that's hand-picked by the Sports Commissioner, Datuk Mahamad Zabri
Min.
We can't leave this to the MHF simply because they won't be absolved
from cries of a cover-up, even if they genuinely find after thorough
investigations, that the allegations were unfounded.
And the Sports Ministry - as much as its minister Datuk Hishammuddin
Hussein might want to declare it an internal affair - has to be involved
as the credibility of the sport's athletes, and its management have been
publicly challenged.
For, the last thing that anyone wants here is for faceless website
contributors, and ardent hockey followers - as genuine as they may be - to
act as judge, jury and executioner, without according the reluctant
`defendants' their constitutional right of a proper `trial'
And if there indeed was a cover-up at Randburg, then Zulkifli should
honour his word by being "the first to resign" and the offenders expelled
from the national team.
As for the local sports media, I believe we are still very much in the
business of covering issues and events, and not involved in the politics
of cover-ups.
(END)
THE spirit of protectionism in its core and original form, must have been
built on honest intentions and honourable values. Then, man evolved
further, and since then, given it a whole new perspective that now
balances precariously between safety and conspiracy.
The lines have been so blurred in this new context of protectionism that
it has become virtually impossible to tell if you are really helping or
conspiring against the one you profess to protect. Is it a cover that you
are providing, or a cover-up?
When master tacticians throw the proverbial bureaucratic cloak over
something that could be incriminating, it's not a cover-up. That's
strategic planning. For, by protecting the offender from prostration, they
have secured the exponent's silence and undivided loyalty.
If he is a formidable opponent, there would be neither cover nor a
cover-up. Which, if you come to think of it, also works out just fine for
the unsuspecting victims - namely you and me.
If he is a crony, the cover-up is normally dictated by, for want of a
better word in this context, honourable intentions. Like they say, the
path to hell is sometimes paved with good intentions.
But in this context though, honesty would normally prevail - as we have
seen so often - only after a cover is blown or when the damage has become
too colossal to cloak.
Which brings us to the raging forum in websites, expounding the alleged
sex scandal of two hockey players in South Africa recently during the
Champions Challenge where the national team took the nation deeper into
the abyss of oblivion.
For the record Malaysia, who started as favourites, finished last in
this tournament.
The call from readers and the sport's followers, is for an inquiry, a
thorough investigation to ascertain the credibility of the allegations,
and expose the offenders.
Just as alarming are suggestions that the Malaysian sportswriters who
were in Randburg to cover the tournament, were part of a conspiracy to
cover up the scandal.
Timesport's hockey writer Jugjet Singh, who had stayed in a different
hotel from the national team, explains that though he had heard about it,
wasn't able to chronicle it as he was neither a witness to the alleged
scandal, nor was he able to affirm it with an official statement.
All Jugjet was witness to was that, the two ladies in question were
vacationing Malaysian stewardesses who were friends of the two players,
stayed in the same hotel as the Malaysian sportswriters, and supported the
team in matches.
Team manager, Zulkifli Abbas - a former national goalkeeper - whom I
spoke to yesterday, said he is submitting a thorough report to the
Malaysian Hockey Federation and is leaving the question of an inquiry to
the discretion of the national body.
"And if they (MHF) find there is a cover-up, that is if they decide to
investigate further, I will be the first to resign," he assured.
But given the attention this bit of disturbing news has received from
the fraternity here and internationally, it would be judicious for the MHF
to conduct an inquiry with the genuine interest of getting to the truth -
whatever it may be - of this alleged scandal.
And may I suggest that this inquiry be conducted by an independent unit
that's neither subservient nor beholden to all the parties concerned, and
one that's hand-picked by the Sports Commissioner, Datuk Mahamad Zabri
Min.
We can't leave this to the MHF simply because they won't be absolved
from cries of a cover-up, even if they genuinely find after thorough
investigations, that the allegations were unfounded.
And the Sports Ministry - as much as its minister Datuk Hishammuddin
Hussein might want to declare it an internal affair - has to be involved
as the credibility of the sport's athletes, and its management have been
publicly challenged.
For, the last thing that anyone wants here is for faceless website
contributors, and ardent hockey followers - as genuine as they may be - to
act as judge, jury and executioner, without according the reluctant
`defendants' their constitutional right of a proper `trial'
And if there indeed was a cover-up at Randburg, then Zulkifli should
honour his word by being "the first to resign" and the offenders expelled
from the national team.
As for the local sports media, I believe we are still very much in the
business of covering issues and events, and not involved in the politics
of cover-ups.
(END)
League format now
18/08/2003
EGYPT and Polish Division One Champions Gneizno have pulled out of the FIH
Youth Carnival starting in Poland today, so now there will be no final and
the League champions will lift the title.
The FIH gave no reasons for the withdrawals.
Malaysia, the inaugural champions last year, will now open their
campaign against Pakistan and the prospect of landing the title again
looks much brighter.
In the earlier fixtures, Malaysia were slated to play Germany first and
were drawn in Group A which also had Pakistan and Gneizno.
But with the League system, Malaysia stand a good chance as the
Malaysian Hockey Federation Selection Committee has injected five
experienced hands to defend the gold medal.
The inclusion of Azli Misron, P. Prabahkaran, Megat Azrafiq, Ismail Abu
and Jivan Mohan added extra bite to the team.
Teams: France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland.
Fixtures: Today- India v France, Malaysia v Pakistan, Germany v Poland;
Aug 20: France v Malaysia, Germany v India, Poland v Pakistan; Aug 21:
Malaysia v India, France v Poland, Germany v Pakistan; Aug 23: Malaysia v
Germany, Pakistan v France, India v Poland; Aug 24: Germany v France,
Poland v Malaysia, India v Pakistan.
(END)
EGYPT and Polish Division One Champions Gneizno have pulled out of the FIH
Youth Carnival starting in Poland today, so now there will be no final and
the League champions will lift the title.
The FIH gave no reasons for the withdrawals.
Malaysia, the inaugural champions last year, will now open their
campaign against Pakistan and the prospect of landing the title again
looks much brighter.
In the earlier fixtures, Malaysia were slated to play Germany first and
were drawn in Group A which also had Pakistan and Gneizno.
But with the League system, Malaysia stand a good chance as the
Malaysian Hockey Federation Selection Committee has injected five
experienced hands to defend the gold medal.
The inclusion of Azli Misron, P. Prabahkaran, Megat Azrafiq, Ismail Abu
and Jivan Mohan added extra bite to the team.
Teams: France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland.
Fixtures: Today- India v France, Malaysia v Pakistan, Germany v Poland;
Aug 20: France v Malaysia, Germany v India, Poland v Pakistan; Aug 21:
Malaysia v India, France v Poland, Germany v Pakistan; Aug 23: Malaysia v
Germany, Pakistan v France, India v Poland; Aug 24: Germany v France,
Poland v Malaysia, India v Pakistan.
(END)
Nasihin returns from the dead
17/08/2003
THE national hockey team, in dire need of a good goalkeeper, had their
prayers answered as former international Nasihin Nubli (pic) has shown
interest in making a comeback.
Nasihin, who quit after the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup, is still among
the better goalkeepers in the country as he has kept himself in the
picture by playing for Sapura in the Malaysia Hockey League.
Assistant national coach Arul Selvaraj, who still does not have a clue
on the status of Nasihin, however, said the goalkeeper has started
training with the national side.
"Nasihin's issue is for the Malaysian Hockey Federation to ponder upon.
I have heard that he was told to write in to the MHF on his intention to
rejoin the national team, but have not seen anything in black and white.
"However, he has started training on his own, while Roslan (Jamaluddin)
and (S.) Kumar are in the national team programme," said Arul.
The red tape is expected to be sorted out before chief coach Paul Lissek
returns from the Champions Trophy where he has gone to watch Malaysia's
opponents in the Asia Cup - India and Pakistan - in action.
Lissek will also give a talk during a coaching course held in
conjunction with the Champions Trophy.
The national team had everything going for them in the Champions
Challenge in South Africa, but were relegated to the last spot when both
Roslan and Kumar made schoolboy mistakes and conceded goals from acute
angles.
Meanwhile, the national juniors left for Poland on Friday to defend
their FIH World Youth Festival trophy not having a clue about which team
has withdrawn from the tournament.
MHF secretary S. Satgunam said he received a call from the FIH saying
that one team has withdrawn, making it a seven-team tournament, but was
still waiting for the FIH E-mail to confirm the withdrawal and the new
fixtures.
When Malaysia left for Poland, they were drawn in Group A with Germany,
Pakistan and the Polish Division One champions. In Group B are India,
France, Poland and Egypt.
(END)
THE national hockey team, in dire need of a good goalkeeper, had their
prayers answered as former international Nasihin Nubli (pic) has shown
interest in making a comeback.
Nasihin, who quit after the 2002 Kuala Lumpur World Cup, is still among
the better goalkeepers in the country as he has kept himself in the
picture by playing for Sapura in the Malaysia Hockey League.
Assistant national coach Arul Selvaraj, who still does not have a clue
on the status of Nasihin, however, said the goalkeeper has started
training with the national side.
"Nasihin's issue is for the Malaysian Hockey Federation to ponder upon.
I have heard that he was told to write in to the MHF on his intention to
rejoin the national team, but have not seen anything in black and white.
"However, he has started training on his own, while Roslan (Jamaluddin)
and (S.) Kumar are in the national team programme," said Arul.
The red tape is expected to be sorted out before chief coach Paul Lissek
returns from the Champions Trophy where he has gone to watch Malaysia's
opponents in the Asia Cup - India and Pakistan - in action.
Lissek will also give a talk during a coaching course held in
conjunction with the Champions Trophy.
The national team had everything going for them in the Champions
Challenge in South Africa, but were relegated to the last spot when both
Roslan and Kumar made schoolboy mistakes and conceded goals from acute
angles.
Meanwhile, the national juniors left for Poland on Friday to defend
their FIH World Youth Festival trophy not having a clue about which team
has withdrawn from the tournament.
MHF secretary S. Satgunam said he received a call from the FIH saying
that one team has withdrawn, making it a seven-team tournament, but was
still waiting for the FIH E-mail to confirm the withdrawal and the new
fixtures.
When Malaysia left for Poland, they were drawn in Group A with Germany,
Pakistan and the Polish Division One champions. In Group B are India,
France, Poland and Egypt.
(END)
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