The Malaysian League, now in the doldrums, needs to pull back its fans as the sport did in its earlier days being a big public entertainment draw, said 'Football King' Datuk Abdul Ghani Minhat.
He said as entertainment it needed icons or idols and stars like the late Mokhtar Dahari who was very much respected and idolised by football fans."Fans do not want to see just one level of skills and ability in the league, there need to be stars even if such stars are in a defensive position," the national football legend told Bernama Saturday.
Abdul Ghani said this when asked to comment on the call by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)'s president Sultan Ahmad Shah at the FAM's 46th Congress last Sunday that the Malaysian League had to be reviewed.Sultan Ahmad Shah voiced dissatisfaction at the present football scenario especially of the financial problems faced by state football associations and clubs competing in the Malaysian League.
Abdul Ghani said FAM as the apex national football body needed to review in depth the best way to bring glory back to the present lacklustre league."If we were to revert back to the semi-pro status there may be implications like players salaries being reduced."Reducing the number of teams in the league would effect associations' finances as income from ticket sales would be reduced due to fewer matches," Abdul Ghani said.He said players too would have fewer matches to play leading to less experience and exposure.
This year the Super League has 14 teams competing while 13 teams are competing in the Premier League after the Johor Baharu Municipal Council was suspended in March over insurance problems.On the possibility of allowing imported players in the local leagues after the ban for the present season, Abdul Ghani said the if local players failed to get their salaries on time what more about imported players whose salaries were way much higher."So to get fans back into the stadiums each team has to display quality play and the fans will come back. It is not difficult to attract football fans if players play well," he said.
He gave as example the Kelantan team's good display in the present Super League that saw 20,000 loyal fans flood the Sultan Mohamad IV Stadium in Kota Baharu.The professional football league in this country was started in 1995 and has seen several changes in regulations and there was also the introduction of the Super League in 2004 - BERNAMA
Jun 29, 2009
Nor Azimah Mat Resad is once again Malaysia's hope
Pahang born Nor Azimah Mat Resad is once again Malaysia's hope for winning a medal at the 18th Vietnam International Judo Tournament to be held at the Phan Dinh Phung Indoor Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City from 2-5 July 2009.
Malaysia will be represented by a team of seven male and three female athletes to this annual international meet. The team would be led by manager, Thevaraj Kasivisvanathan and Mongolian coach, Maralgerel Darmbiinyam.Last year Malaysia won one silver through Nor Azimah in the 45kg and a bronze from Nik Norbaizura Nik Azman (57kg).
Nor Azimah, 25, won quite easily and she is expected to do well again this year.This time around the competition is expected to be tough with most of teams, including China, would be sending their best exponents.Previously, Vietnam hosts this international tournament held together with the South East Asia (SEA) Championship, which is a competition among the South East Asian nations. This time around the Vietnamese are only organizing the international event.
Last year, Malaysia won one gold, 8 silver and 2 bronze in the SEA Championship. The gold was won by national champion, Chong Wai Keat in the below 81kg.The team is expected to leave on Thursday morning.
The squad:Men - Mohd Fakhrul Izaat Afandi (66kg), Marjan Abdullah (73kg), Chong Wai Keat (81kg), Jihad Syamin Johari (55kg), Syaiful Rizal Ahmad Zaidi (100kg).Women - Nor Azimah Mat Resad (45kg), Nik Norbaizura Nik Azman (57kg) and Noor Maizura Zainon (48kg)
Malaysia will be represented by a team of seven male and three female athletes to this annual international meet. The team would be led by manager, Thevaraj Kasivisvanathan and Mongolian coach, Maralgerel Darmbiinyam.Last year Malaysia won one silver through Nor Azimah in the 45kg and a bronze from Nik Norbaizura Nik Azman (57kg).
Nor Azimah, 25, won quite easily and she is expected to do well again this year.This time around the competition is expected to be tough with most of teams, including China, would be sending their best exponents.Previously, Vietnam hosts this international tournament held together with the South East Asia (SEA) Championship, which is a competition among the South East Asian nations. This time around the Vietnamese are only organizing the international event.
Last year, Malaysia won one gold, 8 silver and 2 bronze in the SEA Championship. The gold was won by national champion, Chong Wai Keat in the below 81kg.The team is expected to leave on Thursday morning.
The squad:Men - Mohd Fakhrul Izaat Afandi (66kg), Marjan Abdullah (73kg), Chong Wai Keat (81kg), Jihad Syamin Johari (55kg), Syaiful Rizal Ahmad Zaidi (100kg).Women - Nor Azimah Mat Resad (45kg), Nik Norbaizura Nik Azman (57kg) and Noor Maizura Zainon (48kg)
WELL DONE JAGUH KAMPUNG'S
Lee Chong Wei was unstoppable and the Koo Kein Keat and Tan Boon Heong combination found their winning touch to keep the Malaysian flag flying at the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold Badminton championship here today.
On a day when Malaysia had three finalists in the US$120,000 tournament, it was the World No. 1 women's doubles pair, Chin Ee Hui and Wong Pei Tty, who found the burden of carrying the nation's hopes a little too heavy to bear and were knocked out in straight games by an unknown pair from China.But there was Chong Wei of course and the World No. 1 took only a little more than half an hour to beat China's former World Junior champion Chen Long to win his second title in as many weeks.
The pre-match prediction that Chong Wei would come up against yet another great Chinese wall was blown to pieces right from the very start. Chong Wei led 6-0 but then allowed the 20-year-old Chen Long to draw level at 7-7 before the lanky Chinese pulled ahead at 8-7.That was as far as he could go because once Chong Wei got into his stride, spraying all those delicate drops and releasing those powerful sideline smashes, the Indoor Stadium crowd here knew the Chinese resistance would soon crumble.
The opening game ended 21-16 in Chong Wei's favour and the second game was merely an exhibition of the Malaysian's range of shots, the delicate drop shots, the subtle net play and the ferocious smashes along the sidelines.Chen Long, conqueror of Indonesia's 2004 Athens Olympic gold medallist in the first round here, just could not cope and surrendered the second game 9-21 to allow Chong Wei to pick up the winner's cheque of US$9,000."I felt good throughout the match even though I am carrying a slight back injury suffered in the opening round. Chen Long had a brief fightback.
But I knew I was in control."He is a young talent and will carry China's future. He attacks well and as he develops he will be a tough opponent in future," said Chong Wei.He added that he will take a rest from tournaments after this and concentrate on his preparation for the World Championship in India in August.Kien Keat and Boon Heong also smelt the sweet scent of victory today after a barren spell in the international front.
They beat fellow Malaysians Tan Bin Shen and Gan Teik Chai in a one-sided clash to add to the only international title they have won this year, the Swiss Open in March."Hopefully this victory will spur us on at the World Championship in August," said Kien Keat.But there was no joy for Ee Hui and Pei Tty, comprehensively beaten by the No. 29 pair in the world, China's Ma Jin and Wang Xiaoli 9-21,11-21 on a day when the Malaysian World No. 1 could hardly put a foot right.
P/S : AS LONG AS THE MALAYSIAN PLAYERS DON'T WIN ALL ENGLAND, OLYMPICS AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THEY REMAIN AS JAGUH KAMPUNG FOR JAIHO !
On a day when Malaysia had three finalists in the US$120,000 tournament, it was the World No. 1 women's doubles pair, Chin Ee Hui and Wong Pei Tty, who found the burden of carrying the nation's hopes a little too heavy to bear and were knocked out in straight games by an unknown pair from China.But there was Chong Wei of course and the World No. 1 took only a little more than half an hour to beat China's former World Junior champion Chen Long to win his second title in as many weeks.
The pre-match prediction that Chong Wei would come up against yet another great Chinese wall was blown to pieces right from the very start. Chong Wei led 6-0 but then allowed the 20-year-old Chen Long to draw level at 7-7 before the lanky Chinese pulled ahead at 8-7.That was as far as he could go because once Chong Wei got into his stride, spraying all those delicate drops and releasing those powerful sideline smashes, the Indoor Stadium crowd here knew the Chinese resistance would soon crumble.
The opening game ended 21-16 in Chong Wei's favour and the second game was merely an exhibition of the Malaysian's range of shots, the delicate drop shots, the subtle net play and the ferocious smashes along the sidelines.Chen Long, conqueror of Indonesia's 2004 Athens Olympic gold medallist in the first round here, just could not cope and surrendered the second game 9-21 to allow Chong Wei to pick up the winner's cheque of US$9,000."I felt good throughout the match even though I am carrying a slight back injury suffered in the opening round. Chen Long had a brief fightback.
But I knew I was in control."He is a young talent and will carry China's future. He attacks well and as he develops he will be a tough opponent in future," said Chong Wei.He added that he will take a rest from tournaments after this and concentrate on his preparation for the World Championship in India in August.Kien Keat and Boon Heong also smelt the sweet scent of victory today after a barren spell in the international front.
They beat fellow Malaysians Tan Bin Shen and Gan Teik Chai in a one-sided clash to add to the only international title they have won this year, the Swiss Open in March."Hopefully this victory will spur us on at the World Championship in August," said Kien Keat.But there was no joy for Ee Hui and Pei Tty, comprehensively beaten by the No. 29 pair in the world, China's Ma Jin and Wang Xiaoli 9-21,11-21 on a day when the Malaysian World No. 1 could hardly put a foot right.
P/S : AS LONG AS THE MALAYSIAN PLAYERS DON'T WIN ALL ENGLAND, OLYMPICS AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THEY REMAIN AS JAGUH KAMPUNG FOR JAIHO !
Jun 24, 2009
FLIP FLOP PRESS CONFERENCE BY FAM
Listen to the flip flop press conference that was held on February 1st, 2009, all the decisions that was made on that day during the council meeting, has not been carried out .. that is how pathetic FAM is. But then again are we suprise. The Asian Cup debacle report was not even sent to the Cabinet Committee for Sports, so who are we kidding here !
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0br5-toREg&NR=1
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pksnKhJ_1rU&feature=related
After every council meeting only annoucements are made, all talk but no action. !
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0br5-toREg&NR=1
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pksnKhJ_1rU&feature=related
After every council meeting only annoucements are made, all talk but no action. !
THIS IS HOW OCM TREATS EMPLOYEES !
I was having a chat with Rev.Joe Marcose, it was a long conversation so much so the battery when dead. I have known Joe, for close to 12 years now.. I have known him as sports editor, media officer, pastor and now a blogger. I must say he is a fine man who upholds pricipals and values, no one can ever accuse him of benefitting for himself, he has never asked anything for him or his family, he trusts the lord and lives a life that is 100 percent dependable on GOD.
Unlike some, who will even sell their soul for money!
Read the story below, which was posted on http://joemarcose.blogspot.com/2009/06/hitting-road-1.html
As many are aware, I will be hitting the road soon. A badly written letter stated that my last day would be 15th July 2009. The following are the contents of the letter, dated 15th June 2009.
"The OCM Executive Board Meeting on 9th June 2009 decided that your services are no longer required by the OCM."Take notice therefore, that your last date of employment would be 15th July 2009."Take further notice that in view of your termination of employment, the OCM is prepared to make an immediate payment of one (1) month allowance of RM2,200.00 (Ringgit Malaysia Two Thousand and Two Hundred only) to you provided you choose to leave by 18th June 2008 at the latest whence that would be regarded your last date of employment.
You would be paid a proportionate allowance for the eighteen (18) days for June 2009."You are required to hand over to the Secretary General (? ) of OCM, all properties of OCM presently in your procession (sic) including the office keys on your last day of employment."(Signed by Dato' Roy Rajasingham)Well, this letter made by day, and my week, and I am still smiling.
And I would like to thank those behind this letter. The "post man" who handed me this letter said, "sorry it had to end this way". Well, its not the end, just the beginning of a new chapter for me, in sports.Yes, as the tittle suggest, this is just the first positing on this matter. I will be writing another one soon, and possibly a third one, which might interest many people.
Unlike some, who will even sell their soul for money!
Read the story below, which was posted on http://joemarcose.blogspot.com/2009/06/hitting-road-1.html
As many are aware, I will be hitting the road soon. A badly written letter stated that my last day would be 15th July 2009. The following are the contents of the letter, dated 15th June 2009.
"The OCM Executive Board Meeting on 9th June 2009 decided that your services are no longer required by the OCM."Take notice therefore, that your last date of employment would be 15th July 2009."Take further notice that in view of your termination of employment, the OCM is prepared to make an immediate payment of one (1) month allowance of RM2,200.00 (Ringgit Malaysia Two Thousand and Two Hundred only) to you provided you choose to leave by 18th June 2008 at the latest whence that would be regarded your last date of employment.
You would be paid a proportionate allowance for the eighteen (18) days for June 2009."You are required to hand over to the Secretary General (? ) of OCM, all properties of OCM presently in your procession (sic) including the office keys on your last day of employment."(Signed by Dato' Roy Rajasingham)Well, this letter made by day, and my week, and I am still smiling.
And I would like to thank those behind this letter. The "post man" who handed me this letter said, "sorry it had to end this way". Well, its not the end, just the beginning of a new chapter for me, in sports.Yes, as the tittle suggest, this is just the first positing on this matter. I will be writing another one soon, and possibly a third one, which might interest many people.
Jun 22, 2009
MAJOR REVAMP ? FAM DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT
Somehow I think the FAM President, is not aware of what has transpired during "Sessi Perbincangan" that was conducted last October at the National Sports Council. Close to 80 Individuals attended this two day session which was chaired by Datuk Che Mat Jusoh.
A total of 15 resolutions was passed and presented to the EXCO two months later. So I dont understand what is Datuk Redzuan talking about.. can some one enlighten me, either the Sultan is misinformed or Redzuan is not aware of the decision or even the proposal given by the competitions committee.
It is also learnt that the Malaysian Super League will continue during the 2010 World Cup, interestingly the media that attended the congress yesterday did not ask that question. How could a local league go on during a World Cup, I am sure FAM will deny it now !
Well I have just received the entire proposal for the league from the corridors of FAM, and I must say it is utter rubbish and unprofessional on the new format that has been suggested. I will blog about it soon. All I can say at this point in time, It is "SAYONARA" to the clubs.
STORY BY ERIC SAMUEL
The FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Sultan Ahmad Shah has called for a major revamp of the Malaysian Super League (MSL).
He has given the competitions committee, led by chairman Datuk Che Mat Jusoh, three months to find solutions for an ineffective MSL.
The deputy president, Datuk Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad, said that the president in his speech read at the congress meant business and a bold step could even be taken to revert to “Semi-Pro” football.
“The president is totally unhappy with the poor state of affairs in our football approach,” said Redzuan at a press conference yesterday.
He added that the dwindling standard of the national team, the poor state of the domestic competitions and the weak administration of the FAs had forced the Sultan to call for drastic action.
“It could be anything – a smaller Pro-League, Semi-Pro or even amateur football. There will be changes. The same formula has been used for a long time and it has not brought results,” said Redzuan.
“If there is anyone around who can help us come up with ideas, please do so. The public can also contribute and the competitions committee will gather the feedback to present to the council for endorsement.”
The message is clear. After 20 years in the professional era and with nothing achieved over the years, it is time for a major overhaul. The current MSL comprise a 13-team Premier League and 14-team Super League.
Redzuan said that Myanmar started their Pro-League with only eight teams two months ago.
“Whoever wants to play in the Pro-League must fight their way into the top eight. It is the same in Thailand,” he said.
Malaysia have not made progress since winning the SEA Games in 1989, the year Malaysian football went Semi-Pro. The FAM turned the league fully professional in 1995, calling it the M-League before rebranding it to the MSL in 2004.
The congress also amended the FAM statutes in line with FIFA to welcome on board the Malaysian Indian Sports Council, Malaysian Chinese FA, Malaysian Football Player’s Association, Malaysian Referees Association and Malaysian Football Coaches Association as full members with voting rights - THE STAR
A total of 15 resolutions was passed and presented to the EXCO two months later. So I dont understand what is Datuk Redzuan talking about.. can some one enlighten me, either the Sultan is misinformed or Redzuan is not aware of the decision or even the proposal given by the competitions committee.
It is also learnt that the Malaysian Super League will continue during the 2010 World Cup, interestingly the media that attended the congress yesterday did not ask that question. How could a local league go on during a World Cup, I am sure FAM will deny it now !
Well I have just received the entire proposal for the league from the corridors of FAM, and I must say it is utter rubbish and unprofessional on the new format that has been suggested. I will blog about it soon. All I can say at this point in time, It is "SAYONARA" to the clubs.
STORY BY ERIC SAMUEL
The FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Sultan Ahmad Shah has called for a major revamp of the Malaysian Super League (MSL).
He has given the competitions committee, led by chairman Datuk Che Mat Jusoh, three months to find solutions for an ineffective MSL.
The deputy president, Datuk Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad, said that the president in his speech read at the congress meant business and a bold step could even be taken to revert to “Semi-Pro” football.
“The president is totally unhappy with the poor state of affairs in our football approach,” said Redzuan at a press conference yesterday.
He added that the dwindling standard of the national team, the poor state of the domestic competitions and the weak administration of the FAs had forced the Sultan to call for drastic action.
“It could be anything – a smaller Pro-League, Semi-Pro or even amateur football. There will be changes. The same formula has been used for a long time and it has not brought results,” said Redzuan.
“If there is anyone around who can help us come up with ideas, please do so. The public can also contribute and the competitions committee will gather the feedback to present to the council for endorsement.”
The message is clear. After 20 years in the professional era and with nothing achieved over the years, it is time for a major overhaul. The current MSL comprise a 13-team Premier League and 14-team Super League.
Redzuan said that Myanmar started their Pro-League with only eight teams two months ago.
“Whoever wants to play in the Pro-League must fight their way into the top eight. It is the same in Thailand,” he said.
Malaysia have not made progress since winning the SEA Games in 1989, the year Malaysian football went Semi-Pro. The FAM turned the league fully professional in 1995, calling it the M-League before rebranding it to the MSL in 2004.
The congress also amended the FAM statutes in line with FIFA to welcome on board the Malaysian Indian Sports Council, Malaysian Chinese FA, Malaysian Football Player’s Association, Malaysian Referees Association and Malaysian Football Coaches Association as full members with voting rights - THE STAR
Jun 21, 2009
BLESSED FATHER'S DAY
God took the strength of a mountain, the majesty of a tree, the warmth of a summer sun the calm of quiet sea.
The comforting arm of the night.
The Wisdom of the ages.
The power of eagle's flight
The Joy of morning spring
The faith of a mustard seed, the patience of eternity
The depth of a family need, then combined these qualities, when there was nothing more to add,
He knew his master piece was complete and so called it "DAD"
I would like to wish My wonderful dad " Lt Commander (R) Aralanthu Savrimuthu" a Blessed Father's Day and May God Bless You Always.
To all the FATHERS out there, God Bless You in the 100th Anniversary of Father's Day, and may you have a wonderful time with your loved ones. We also remember all those who have lost their dad, may their soul rest in peace in the hands of our almighty GOD ...
The comforting arm of the night.
The Wisdom of the ages.
The power of eagle's flight
The Joy of morning spring
The faith of a mustard seed, the patience of eternity
The depth of a family need, then combined these qualities, when there was nothing more to add,
He knew his master piece was complete and so called it "DAD"
I would like to wish My wonderful dad " Lt Commander (R) Aralanthu Savrimuthu" a Blessed Father's Day and May God Bless You Always.
To all the FATHERS out there, God Bless You in the 100th Anniversary of Father's Day, and may you have a wonderful time with your loved ones. We also remember all those who have lost their dad, may their soul rest in peace in the hands of our almighty GOD ...
STOP KIDDING US , SPORTS AS AN INDUSTRY .. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A SPORTS CULTURE MR MINISTER
The government will study the contribution of the sports industry to the economy especially after hundreds of millions of ringgit had been spent on sportS development, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said today.
He said right now the industry was seen more as a field to generate good health and glory.
"We don't know how much the industry has contributed to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) because we don't have the guidelines and data about that," he told reporters after attending the National Fitness Month 2009 celebration, here.
He said it was high time for the sports industry to be seen from the economic point of view and not just its contribution to public health and the country's good image.
A special unit had also been formed at the ministry level to make the industry more profitable, he said.
On other developments, Shabery also called on national athletes especially the national football squad to emulate the Egyptian team who defeated World Cup champions Italy a Confederation Cup match yesterday.
"They should study how an underdog country like Egypt could do so when everybody knows they are not among the superpowers in the sport," he said.
While acknowledging that it was not an easy and simple task, Shabery said it should be done as football was and would always be the world's favourite sport.
He said he would also convene a meeting with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to discuss a new and suitable approach to improve the quality of the national football squad.
He said right now the industry was seen more as a field to generate good health and glory.
"We don't know how much the industry has contributed to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) because we don't have the guidelines and data about that," he told reporters after attending the National Fitness Month 2009 celebration, here.
He said it was high time for the sports industry to be seen from the economic point of view and not just its contribution to public health and the country's good image.
A special unit had also been formed at the ministry level to make the industry more profitable, he said.
On other developments, Shabery also called on national athletes especially the national football squad to emulate the Egyptian team who defeated World Cup champions Italy a Confederation Cup match yesterday.
"They should study how an underdog country like Egypt could do so when everybody knows they are not among the superpowers in the sport," he said.
While acknowledging that it was not an easy and simple task, Shabery said it should be done as football was and would always be the world's favourite sport.
He said he would also convene a meeting with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to discuss a new and suitable approach to improve the quality of the national football squad.
Jun 19, 2009
NORTH KOREA IN THE WORLD CUP, MALAYSIA ?
Early this year I told a few people that North Korea and South Korea will be in 2010 World Cup. Some of my friends laughed at me and told me, that I must be joking. The story below explains everything about North Korea, their dedication , commitment and discipline of wanting to be in the World Cup.
Let's forget about South Korea.. I think FAM must now learn from North Korea, national team should be training in North Korea, instead of China, Slovakia, Singapore and Indonesia. Maybe the Under-16 team should be placed in North Korea for 3 years. Why Not!
They are in the World Cup, no semi-pro and no professional league, maybe most of the players are working with the nuclear center!
Malaysia is still struggling to win gold in the SEA Games. After spending RM 550 million in the last 15 years, we have failed and it is an embrassement a country like North Korea have made it while we are still doing soul searching.
Maybe the FAM Congress which meets on Sunday can pass a resolution of sending a technical study team to North Korea, since nothing was implemented from all the previous technical visits, except wasting tax payers money. But Guess What, they will not go, because there is no extra curricular activities!
Happy Fathers Day Guys and Have a Great Weekend ... God Bless You All
Let's forget about South Korea.. I think FAM must now learn from North Korea, national team should be training in North Korea, instead of China, Slovakia, Singapore and Indonesia. Maybe the Under-16 team should be placed in North Korea for 3 years. Why Not!
They are in the World Cup, no semi-pro and no professional league, maybe most of the players are working with the nuclear center!
Malaysia is still struggling to win gold in the SEA Games. After spending RM 550 million in the last 15 years, we have failed and it is an embrassement a country like North Korea have made it while we are still doing soul searching.
Maybe the FAM Congress which meets on Sunday can pass a resolution of sending a technical study team to North Korea, since nothing was implemented from all the previous technical visits, except wasting tax payers money. But Guess What, they will not go, because there is no extra curricular activities!
Happy Fathers Day Guys and Have a Great Weekend ... God Bless You All
North Korea will play in their first World Cup for 44 years after winning the point they needed to qualify for next year’s Finals in South Africa.
The North Koreans held firm for a scoreless draw against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on Wednesday to finish second in Group B and join winners South Korea as automatic qualifiers.
It will be the first time both Koreas will be part of football’s showpiece and the North’s first tilt at the World Cup since their trailblazing quarter-final appearance at the 1966 tournament in England.
In contrast to celebrations in Pyongyang, there was gloom in Iran as they blew their qualification chance after a 1-1 draw in their must-win match in Seoul.
Saudi Arabia must now beat Bahrain in an Asian third-place playoff and then Oceania champions New Zealand if they are to reach their fifth consecutive Finals next year.
Bahrain, thanks to substitute Mahmood Abdulrahman’s 74th minute goal, qualified for September’s Asian playoff with a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in Manama to finish third behind Australia and Japan in Group A.
The Socceroos, boosted by a brace of goals from Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, came from behind to overhaul Japan 2-1 in Melbourne to finish unbeaten and top the group by five points.
But the secretive communist North Korea dominated the headlines in the final round of Asian qualifying with their unyielding defensive performance in Riyadh.
The Saudis, needing to take all three points to leapfrog North Korea into the second automatic qualifying spot, attacked from the kickoff but the visitors held out for the draw.
“We battled to qualify for the World Cup Finals,” coach Kim Jong-hun said. “It was so hot in Saudi Arabia after the long journey from Korea, but the belief in the ability of the players snatched the ticket to South Africa.
“We focused on defending as we had come under a lot of pressure from the Saudis and I think our preparation for the game was one factor that earned the victory.” — AFP
Jun 15, 2009
AUSTRALIA TO BID FOR THE WORLD CUP
Australian football officials launched their bid Sunday to host either the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, saying they felt it was a realistic goal.
"Hosting the World Cup would provide Australia with an unparalleled opportunity and give Australia a lasting and living legacy for generations to come," Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy told the bid launch at Parliament House, the country's seat of government.
"On the world stage, there is no event with the same level of global appeal or audience reach as the FIFA World Cup."
Lowy was joined by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Socceroos Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill.
Australian officials estimate a World Cup in Australia would generate US$3 billion in direct expenditure from items including tickets, accommodation and meals, and 4.7 million spectators.
Lowy said that the cumulative global television audience at the 2006 World Cup was 26.2 billion with the single largest audience group coming from the Asian Football Confederation, of which Australia is a member.
The launch also unveiled a Web site for Australia's bid at www.australia2018-2022.com.au.
The 11 official candidates for the 2018 or 2022 World Cups are Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Qatar, Russia, South Korea and United States, plus joint bids from Belgium-Netherlands and Spain-Portugal.
Qatar and South Korea have applied only for the 2022 finals, while the other nine candidates are in both races.
FIFA will select the two winning bids in December 2010.
UNDER 23 ON THE RIGHT TRACK
The National Under-23 squad edged the Indonesian national Under-23 side 1-0 in a friendly match at the Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) Stadium in Cheras on Saturday.Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Radzak was the toast of the national side after scoring the only goal of the match in the 41st minute with a powerful strike from inside the penalty box.
The squad under coach K. Rajagobal had a number of chances to extend the lead but the strikers were guilty of missing some good opportunities, especially Mohd Shakir Md Ali who had three golden chances in the last five minutes.
The Indonesian side under Uruguayan coach Cesar Payovich came close to snatching a late equalizer through Lucky Wahyu Dwi Permana's fierce drive in the 80th minute but goalkeeper Mohd Farizal Marlias was equal to it.
According to Rajagobal, the win was important to lift the morale of the players but emphasised that the players needed to work harder.
"As the coach I am happy with the win but I need more time to gauge the performances of some new players in the squad like G. Mahathevan who made his first appearance today.
"The M-League will resume on Tuesday and I will continue to monitor them before facing Manchester United on July 18," said Rajagobal who made eight changes today as he was still trying out different combinations.(Bernama)
Jaiho says : It is a good start for Rajagopal's team, it will surely boost their confidence level, let's hope and pray that the boys will keep the winning momentum going. As I have said before the biggest problem with the Malaysian team is "CONSISTENCY"
Malaysians make World Cup mark, behind the scene
ROKK TALK by Lazarus Rokk - June 4, 2006
GUTEN Morgen, Malaysia, welcome to the winter FIFA World Cup Germany 2006. It’s so cold in some host cities here, that the prospect of a “White World Cup” may not be all that outlandish as it would seem.
And that won’t be much fun, as apart from having to cope with the cold and the rain, all the gorgeous women – particularly the samba queens – who will be arriving from 31 countries around the world will be covered from head to toe.
Like it or not, they make every World Cup more attractive than it is, and this one won’t be looking too good if the sun doesn’t come up and the warm clothes don’t come off.
Ask the 3,000-odd Malaysian fans who had recently arrived at the little idyllic German spa town of Wangen, Allgau – the base training camp for the Malaysian team preparing for their opening Group G match against Switzerland on June 19 at Dortmund.
Embedded in the foothills of the Alps, 565m above sea level, you would think it would be cold. The Malaysian team who are not used to the cold – temperatures that went down to 6°C – were restricted to training on an artificial pitch in ski masks and gloves, to avoid ruining the natural surface after showers of hail and snow.
The Malaysians, some of whom have not seen snow, mistook it for sugar.
No, that wasn’t really a typo error. What it actually is, it is one part reality and one part fantasy. The reality is, in the words of the English here, is that it’s bloody cold for a summer, and the team that is in the base camp in Wangen is actually undergoing those conditions.
The fantasy is, Malaysia in the FIFA World Cup 2006. It seems like a natural thing to fantasise this each time you are in World Cup territory. My buddies Fauzi Omar, and Johnson Fernandez felt like that when we were in California for the World Cup USA 1994, and in Paris four years later.
I am alone here now as FIFA media officer with special duties operating from the FIFA headquarters in Berlin, and the fantasy still rages, even more now than ever.
It’s also an ego or rather a pride thing. I mean here you are in Berlin, and at least 95% of the FIFA delegates have their respective national teams represented in the World Cup here.
Not that I am paranoid, but sometimes I wonder if these delegates are wondering what am I doing here in a territory that’s totally alien to Malaysians. That, shouldn’t my slot as media officer be given to someone from a World Cup country?
Well I know I am not here because of our football or my good looks. But I can understand why a Malaysian was accorded this slot, and I guess I owe it to – apart from AFC president Mohamed Hammam who recommended me – other Malaysians who had impressed FIFA, as administrators.
Before me George Das, a former sportswriter first with The Star and then later with The New Straits Times, had done a great job as media officer in Paris.
And on other fronts, we have had Malaysians like Datuk Peter Velappan, Datuk Paul Mony Samuel, and the younger Windsor John Paul, being honoured as general co-ordinators of venues.
Here in Germany, while Paul is handling the venue at Nuremberg, Windsor has been accorded the rare honour of handling the main venue, the venue for the final – the historic Olympiastadion in Berlin.
They call him “The Boss” here, just about everyone from every continent, even from countries that have won the Jules Rimet trophy, actually make it a point to pay their respects to him.
That’s rather uncharacteristic because back home he slips into the shadow in football activities and you hardly know he is there. But here, he is a very important person, they all seek him out, they want to know him, and never fail to greet him when he is around.
As a fellow Malaysian, I feel a glow of pride each time that happens because in the FIFA football fraternity, it looks like this is the only way we Malaysians are ever going to get noticed, honoured, and respected.
Unless of course, the powers that be in Malaysian football do something about gaining some respect from our football as well.
Speaking of which, the clock is ticking, the kick-off for Germany 2006 is drawing ever nearer and the 32 participants are arriving at their training camps to prepare for the impending global showdown. At least that is the theory.
Every day, the crowds of enthusiastic fans flocking to the training grounds of the world’s elite teams grow larger. The euphoria knows no bounds. Simple shooting drills, tactical sessions and ‘five-against-two’ games are being watched by bigger crowds than some top-flight matches.
For several days, Brazilian fans in the picturesque Swiss town of Weggis have contributed to an extraordinary series of events. Against the backdrop of the Alps, about 10,000 fans have turned out to transform the world champions’ training sessions into Samba parties.
Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka and Co seem to appreciate the support, showing their gratitude by stopping to sign countless autographs before returning to the changing rooms.
Things are equally crazy in Wangen, a small German town of 21,000 that Togo have taken by storm. Since May 15, the place has been decorated with as many red, yellow and green flags as it has German ones. The daily training sessions of the Togolese team, conducted by their German coach, Otto Pfister, have become almost municipal festivals.
However, once again, it was the German national team who led the way. The hosts’ training session in Dusseldorf on Wednesday afternoon was watched by 40,000 fans, who had packed into the stadium just to see Jurgen Klinsmann put his team through their paces. Never before have Germany attracted such a big crowd just to see them train.
With crowds to watch training sessions, live broadcasts of Brazil plotting their route to the final and African folk festivals in Wangen – the World Cup has arrived in Germany.
P/S : JAIHO is grateful to Mr Lazarus Rokk, for allowing his article on Windsor Paul, to be republished here.
GUTEN Morgen, Malaysia, welcome to the winter FIFA World Cup Germany 2006. It’s so cold in some host cities here, that the prospect of a “White World Cup” may not be all that outlandish as it would seem.
And that won’t be much fun, as apart from having to cope with the cold and the rain, all the gorgeous women – particularly the samba queens – who will be arriving from 31 countries around the world will be covered from head to toe.
Like it or not, they make every World Cup more attractive than it is, and this one won’t be looking too good if the sun doesn’t come up and the warm clothes don’t come off.
Ask the 3,000-odd Malaysian fans who had recently arrived at the little idyllic German spa town of Wangen, Allgau – the base training camp for the Malaysian team preparing for their opening Group G match against Switzerland on June 19 at Dortmund.
Embedded in the foothills of the Alps, 565m above sea level, you would think it would be cold. The Malaysian team who are not used to the cold – temperatures that went down to 6°C – were restricted to training on an artificial pitch in ski masks and gloves, to avoid ruining the natural surface after showers of hail and snow.
The Malaysians, some of whom have not seen snow, mistook it for sugar.
No, that wasn’t really a typo error. What it actually is, it is one part reality and one part fantasy. The reality is, in the words of the English here, is that it’s bloody cold for a summer, and the team that is in the base camp in Wangen is actually undergoing those conditions.
The fantasy is, Malaysia in the FIFA World Cup 2006. It seems like a natural thing to fantasise this each time you are in World Cup territory. My buddies Fauzi Omar, and Johnson Fernandez felt like that when we were in California for the World Cup USA 1994, and in Paris four years later.
I am alone here now as FIFA media officer with special duties operating from the FIFA headquarters in Berlin, and the fantasy still rages, even more now than ever.
It’s also an ego or rather a pride thing. I mean here you are in Berlin, and at least 95% of the FIFA delegates have their respective national teams represented in the World Cup here.
Not that I am paranoid, but sometimes I wonder if these delegates are wondering what am I doing here in a territory that’s totally alien to Malaysians. That, shouldn’t my slot as media officer be given to someone from a World Cup country?
Well I know I am not here because of our football or my good looks. But I can understand why a Malaysian was accorded this slot, and I guess I owe it to – apart from AFC president Mohamed Hammam who recommended me – other Malaysians who had impressed FIFA, as administrators.
Before me George Das, a former sportswriter first with The Star and then later with The New Straits Times, had done a great job as media officer in Paris.
And on other fronts, we have had Malaysians like Datuk Peter Velappan, Datuk Paul Mony Samuel, and the younger Windsor John Paul, being honoured as general co-ordinators of venues.
Here in Germany, while Paul is handling the venue at Nuremberg, Windsor has been accorded the rare honour of handling the main venue, the venue for the final – the historic Olympiastadion in Berlin.
They call him “The Boss” here, just about everyone from every continent, even from countries that have won the Jules Rimet trophy, actually make it a point to pay their respects to him.
That’s rather uncharacteristic because back home he slips into the shadow in football activities and you hardly know he is there. But here, he is a very important person, they all seek him out, they want to know him, and never fail to greet him when he is around.
As a fellow Malaysian, I feel a glow of pride each time that happens because in the FIFA football fraternity, it looks like this is the only way we Malaysians are ever going to get noticed, honoured, and respected.
Unless of course, the powers that be in Malaysian football do something about gaining some respect from our football as well.
Speaking of which, the clock is ticking, the kick-off for Germany 2006 is drawing ever nearer and the 32 participants are arriving at their training camps to prepare for the impending global showdown. At least that is the theory.
Every day, the crowds of enthusiastic fans flocking to the training grounds of the world’s elite teams grow larger. The euphoria knows no bounds. Simple shooting drills, tactical sessions and ‘five-against-two’ games are being watched by bigger crowds than some top-flight matches.
For several days, Brazilian fans in the picturesque Swiss town of Weggis have contributed to an extraordinary series of events. Against the backdrop of the Alps, about 10,000 fans have turned out to transform the world champions’ training sessions into Samba parties.
Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka and Co seem to appreciate the support, showing their gratitude by stopping to sign countless autographs before returning to the changing rooms.
Things are equally crazy in Wangen, a small German town of 21,000 that Togo have taken by storm. Since May 15, the place has been decorated with as many red, yellow and green flags as it has German ones. The daily training sessions of the Togolese team, conducted by their German coach, Otto Pfister, have become almost municipal festivals.
However, once again, it was the German national team who led the way. The hosts’ training session in Dusseldorf on Wednesday afternoon was watched by 40,000 fans, who had packed into the stadium just to see Jurgen Klinsmann put his team through their paces. Never before have Germany attracted such a big crowd just to see them train.
With crowds to watch training sessions, live broadcasts of Brazil plotting their route to the final and African folk festivals in Wangen – the World Cup has arrived in Germany.
P/S : JAIHO is grateful to Mr Lazarus Rokk, for allowing his article on Windsor Paul, to be republished here.
When a Malaysian triggered Maradona's abrupt exit from Berlin stadium
ROKK TALK
By Lazarus Rokk - July 23, 2006
LIFE on Planet Football must be going back to normal again as its 4.5 billion inhabitants, inarguably suffering from withdrawal symptoms, savour those magical moments of the greatest show on earth – The FIFA World Cup Germany 2006.
The rest of the world would remember this World Cup more for that Zinedine Zidane-Marco Materazzi incident but my thoughts would be on those up-close-and-personal moments with players and coaches as a FIFA media officer.
I don’t know what thoughts were running in Zidane's head as he trooped down the stairs (where I stood just two feet away) leading to the locker room.
He was wiping away his tears. There was no cursing or swearing from the football genius.
Minutes after that, I did something that I never imagined I would ever do in my life as a Malaysian. I cautioned France and Liverpool striker Cisse. He was standing with the team’s media officer about five metres behind the France bench.
Cisse in his suit and crutch was violently gesticulating at some of the decisions of Argentine referee Alizondo Horacio .
I walked up to him and said: “You are very lucky to be allowed to stand here when you are not supposed to, but if you are going to behave like this I will have to ask you to leave.” And he didn't said a word.
I know I was just doing my job, but personally, it felt good to have that authority over players whom you watch week-in week-out in the English Premier League.
But the high point must surely be on the day of the final itself. When Fabio Grosso crashed in the winning penalty that gave Italy their fourth World Cup title, that was when our work – the media officers – got really hard.
Our job initially was to guide the victors through a specific “lap of honour” path round the stadium.
But all hell broke loose. The Italians were all over the place, the 100-odd photographers became initially uncontrollable, and for a while it became a nightmare. One photographer was almost trampled in the melee.
When order was finally restored, and the players continued the merry-making in their locker room, there was Materazzi sitting on the floor, feet stretched out with his towel just barely covering his family jewels, chatting on his cellular phone for a good 40 minutes.
The only marks on his upper body were tattoos. There was no visible sign of that head-butt incident either on his chest, or in his disposition. The Italian was in high spirits, enjoying the conversation on the phone, and you would never have guessed if you hadn’t seen it yourself that this was a man who had been head-butted and had one of the world’s best players sent off in shame.
In the locker room, there was Malaysian Windsor Paul John, hurrying the Italians to return the precious trophy. You see, no one keeps the original, what the victors get is the replica. The original only comes out on the day of the final and goes back to a Swiss bank the next day. There are apparently four replicas.
Anyway, as the French players came out of their locker room, dreading to take the stairs up to the mixed zone where some 800 reporters were waiting for interviews, the Italians naturally didn’t need convincing. They were only too glad to meet the media.
It was almost 3am before we left the stadium, totally drained of not just the night’s but the month’s events.
I can’t say if it was a great World Cup, as they were really no one player or players who stood out in Germany.
But I know, speaking with many Germans, what the World Cup meant to them. They were just glad it came their way, as it gave the world a chance to know the Germany in a different and more positive light.
Speaking of Windsor, there is one story that was left untold. He was the man who eventually made football’s brat Diego Maradona leave the Olympic Stadium in Berlin in a huff before the Germany-Argentina quarter-final!
Maradona was only allowed to come in with two friends, but he wanted his whole entourage of about 20 to come in. But FIFA didn’t allow that. Then later, his manager told Windsor, the general co-ordinator at Berlin, that Maradona wanted to visit the team in the locker room. That was three minutes before the teams were to troop out.
And Windsor, being the staunch follower of rules, emphatically turned down the request, which caused Maradona to storm out of the stadium in a huff before the kick-off.
The beautiful game truly, is bigger than any individual.
Jun 11, 2009
FAM : IT WAS MISTAKE BANNING KELANTAN !
The Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) Disciplinary Board (DB) let Kelantan FA president Tan Sri Annuar Musa, Perlis coach Irfan Bakti and KL PLUS coach Mat Zan Mat Aris off the hook, with just a stern warning, due to lack of concrete evidence.FAM Disciplinary Board chairman Kamaruddin Abdullah who emerged after a four-hour meeting here Thursday said the board could not charge the three for breach of the FAM's code of conduct due to a lack of concrete evidence.
"We are concerned when the president of an FA or club speak out on policy matters because there are rules and regulations barring them from issuing any statements related to FAM's policy matters," he told reporters after chairing the meeting at Wisma FAM here today.
Annuar, Irfan and Mat Zan were referred to the board for purportedly issuing statements without FAM's consent and also issuing statements that were not true, recently.
"I urge coaches or presidents of FAs to be careful when issuing statements because FAM views such statements seriously," he said.
Meanwhile, the board imposed a fine of RM100,000 on Kelantan for the riot at Sultan Muhammad IV stadium after an FA Cup match between Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan on April 7.
"After looking at the competition rules, we agree that it was a mistake to bar Kelantan from playing their matches at the Sultan Muhammad IV stadium and fine them RM50,000. It should have been only a fine of RM100,000 instead," he said.
He added that since Kelantan had already paid the RM50,000 fine, they will only have to pay another RM50,000 and wait for the FAM Competitions Committee to inspect the Sultan Muhammad IV three days before a local league match can be played. (BERNAMA)
P/s : This is a joke, how could FAM make such a blunder, Maybe KAFA can choose to SUE FAM now for lost of income and misinterpretation of the law...
CHONG WEI & NICOL DAVID TO BE HONOURED TOMORROW
Two Datuks who are the world number one players in badminton and squash respectively, head the list of five candidates for the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM) 2008/2009 award.
Men's singles badminton ace and Beijing Olympics silver medallist Datuk Lee Chong Wei and women's world number one squash player Datuk Nicol David lead the cast in the awards scheduled for tomorrow.
Also on the list are national track cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang who made it to the quarter-finals of the Keirin event at the Beijing Olympics and who won a silver medal (200m sprints) at the World Track Cycling championships in Poland, national archer Cheng Chu Sian and women's doubles Wong Pei Tty-Chin Ee Hui.Chu Sian qualified for the men's individual and team archery events at the Beijing Olympics while Pei Tty and Ee Hui clinched the Super Series Masters Finals in Kota Kinabalu last December.
According to SAM president Abu Bakar Atan, the winner of the award would receive RM10,000.
P/s : What happens when both these "DATUKS" retire, Malaysia will no longer have a NUMERO UNO, it is going to be for a long time ... We hear MSN and BAM talking about development. Pathetic Situation !
Jun 10, 2009
TO SIR WITH LOVE ....
JONATHAN Fernandez wrote a tribute on his mentor "VIJESH RAI" read about at www.mmail.com.my/content/life-sir-vijesh"
JAIHO salutes Jonathan for a very well written piece, something which is from the heart. Jonathan I have not forgotten the bannana leaf lunch that I owe you, I am yet to find a good one bro. God Bless
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOSS !
TODAY My Friend and Boss Mr Vijesh Rai celebrates his 40th Birthday. I have known him since 1996 and in the last 14 years, I trully have enjoyed his friendship and to a certain extent I owe it to him, for what I have become. He has always told me not to be emotional about Malaysian Sports, but to be rational and constructive about Malaysian sports.
He has has always given me his support even during my tenure as FAM Media Officer from 1996-2002.He was there for me when my mum passed away nine years ago, when I dashed out from the ward, I hugged him and just cried my heart out ... Vijesh lost his mum at a very young age as well.
Vijesh has always given his best to his friends, and he has his own "INNER CIRCLE" which means a lot to him, he has helped them financially and through morale support. He has never said "NO" and he goes that extra mile for those who are close to his heart.
I worked for him for two years of course it was not easy, he had his demands and expectations...somehow I survived, and when I resigned from NST, he gave him his blessings and told that he will never hire me again.
His time and focus is always around his beloved wife Vasugi who made Malaysia proud in the Seoul Olympics, his lovely daughters Pooja Rai and Esha Rai and of course the Prince Vikash Rai whom he adores.
On behalf of the inner circle and outer circle, I would like to wish you a blessed birthday and God Bless You Always. May God bless you with long and healthy life. Have a wonderful 40th Birthday ANNA !
Jun 9, 2009
Malaysians make World Cup mark, behind the scene
ROKK TALK by Lazarus Rokk - June 4, 2006
GUTEN Morgen, Malaysia, welcome to the winter FIFA World Cup Germany 2006. It’s so cold in some host cities here, that the prospect of a “White World Cup” may not be all that outlandish as it would seem.
And that won’t be much fun, as apart from having to cope with the cold and the rain, all the gorgeous women – particularly the samba queens – who will be arriving from 31 countries around the world will be covered from head to toe.
Like it or not, they make every World Cup more attractive than it is, and this one won’t be looking too good if the sun doesn’t come up and the warm clothes don’t come off.
Ask the 3,000-odd Malaysian fans who had recently arrived at the little idyllic German spa town of Wangen, Allgau – the base training camp for the Malaysian team preparing for their opening Group G match against Switzerland on June 19 at Dortmund.
Embedded in the foothills of the Alps, 565m above sea level, you would think it would be cold. The Malaysian team who are not used to the cold – temperatures that went down to 6°C – were restricted to training on an artificial pitch in ski masks and gloves, to avoid ruining the natural surface after showers of hail and snow.
The Malaysians, some of whom have not seen snow, mistook it for sugar.
No, that wasn’t really a typo error. What it actually is, it is one part reality and one part fantasy. The reality is, in the words of the English here, is that it’s bloody cold for a summer, and the team that is in the base camp in Wangen is actually undergoing those conditions.
The fantasy is, Malaysia in the FIFA World Cup 2006. It seems like a natural thing to fantasise this each time you are in World Cup territory. My buddies Fauzi Omar, and Johnson Fernandez felt like that when we were in California for the World Cup USA 1994, and in Paris four years later.
I am alone here now as FIFA media officer with special duties operating from the FIFA headquarters in Berlin, and the fantasy still rages, even more now than ever.
It’s also an ego or rather a pride thing. I mean here you are in Berlin, and at least 95% of the FIFA delegates have their respective national teams represented in the World Cup here.
Not that I am paranoid, but sometimes I wonder if these delegates are wondering what am I doing here in a territory that’s totally alien to Malaysians. That, shouldn’t my slot as media officer be given to someone from a World Cup country?
Well I know I am not here because of our football or my good looks. But I can understand why a Malaysian was accorded this slot, and I guess I owe it to – apart from AFC president Mohamed Hammam who recommended me – other Malaysians who had impressed FIFA, as administrators.
Before me George Das, a former sportswriter first with The Star and then later with The New Straits Times, had done a great job as media officer in Paris.
And on other fronts, we have had Malaysians like Datuk Peter Velappan, Datuk Paul Mony Samuel, and the younger Windsor John Paul, being honoured as general co-ordinators of venues.
Here in Germany, while Paul is handling the venue at Nuremberg, Windsor has been accorded the rare honour of handling the main venue, the venue for the final – the historic Olympiastadion in Berlin.
They call him “The Boss” here, just about everyone from every continent, even from countries that have won the Jules Rimet trophy, actually make it a point to pay their respects to him.
That’s rather uncharacteristic because back home he slips into the shadow in football activities and you hardly know he is there. But here, he is a very important person, they all seek him out, they want to know him, and never fail to greet him when he is around.
As a fellow Malaysian, I feel a glow of pride each time that happens because in the FIFA football fraternity, it looks like this is the only way we Malaysians are ever going to get noticed, honoured, and respected.
Unless of course, the powers that be in Malaysian football do something about gaining some respect from our football as well.
Speaking of which, the clock is ticking, the kick-off for Germany 2006 is drawing ever nearer and the 32 participants are arriving at their training camps to prepare for the impending global showdown. At least that is the theory.
Every day, the crowds of enthusiastic fans flocking to the training grounds of the world’s elite teams grow larger. The euphoria knows no bounds. Simple shooting drills, tactical sessions and ‘five-against-two’ games are being watched by bigger crowds than some top-flight matches.
For several days, Brazilian fans in the picturesque Swiss town of Weggis have contributed to an extraordinary series of events. Against the backdrop of the Alps, about 10,000 fans have turned out to transform the world champions’ training sessions into Samba parties.
Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka and Co seem to appreciate the support, showing their gratitude by stopping to sign countless autographs before returning to the changing rooms.
Things are equally crazy in Wangen, a small German town of 21,000 that Togo have taken by storm. Since May 15, the place has been decorated with as many red, yellow and green flags as it has German ones. The daily training sessions of the Togolese team, conducted by their German coach, Otto Pfister, have become almost municipal festivals.
However, once again, it was the German national team who led the way. The hosts’ training session in Dusseldorf on Wednesday afternoon was watched by 40,000 fans, who had packed into the stadium just to see Jurgen Klinsmann put his team through their paces. Never before have Germany attracted such a big crowd just to see them train.
With crowds to watch training sessions, live broadcasts of Brazil plotting their route to the final and African folk festivals in Wangen – the World Cup has arrived in Germany.
P/S : JAIHO is grateful to Mr Lazarus Rokk, for allowing his article on Windsor Paul, to be republished here.
GUTEN Morgen, Malaysia, welcome to the winter FIFA World Cup Germany 2006. It’s so cold in some host cities here, that the prospect of a “White World Cup” may not be all that outlandish as it would seem.
And that won’t be much fun, as apart from having to cope with the cold and the rain, all the gorgeous women – particularly the samba queens – who will be arriving from 31 countries around the world will be covered from head to toe.
Like it or not, they make every World Cup more attractive than it is, and this one won’t be looking too good if the sun doesn’t come up and the warm clothes don’t come off.
Ask the 3,000-odd Malaysian fans who had recently arrived at the little idyllic German spa town of Wangen, Allgau – the base training camp for the Malaysian team preparing for their opening Group G match against Switzerland on June 19 at Dortmund.
Embedded in the foothills of the Alps, 565m above sea level, you would think it would be cold. The Malaysian team who are not used to the cold – temperatures that went down to 6°C – were restricted to training on an artificial pitch in ski masks and gloves, to avoid ruining the natural surface after showers of hail and snow.
The Malaysians, some of whom have not seen snow, mistook it for sugar.
No, that wasn’t really a typo error. What it actually is, it is one part reality and one part fantasy. The reality is, in the words of the English here, is that it’s bloody cold for a summer, and the team that is in the base camp in Wangen is actually undergoing those conditions.
The fantasy is, Malaysia in the FIFA World Cup 2006. It seems like a natural thing to fantasise this each time you are in World Cup territory. My buddies Fauzi Omar, and Johnson Fernandez felt like that when we were in California for the World Cup USA 1994, and in Paris four years later.
I am alone here now as FIFA media officer with special duties operating from the FIFA headquarters in Berlin, and the fantasy still rages, even more now than ever.
It’s also an ego or rather a pride thing. I mean here you are in Berlin, and at least 95% of the FIFA delegates have their respective national teams represented in the World Cup here.
Not that I am paranoid, but sometimes I wonder if these delegates are wondering what am I doing here in a territory that’s totally alien to Malaysians. That, shouldn’t my slot as media officer be given to someone from a World Cup country?
Well I know I am not here because of our football or my good looks. But I can understand why a Malaysian was accorded this slot, and I guess I owe it to – apart from AFC president Mohamed Hammam who recommended me – other Malaysians who had impressed FIFA, as administrators.
Before me George Das, a former sportswriter first with The Star and then later with The New Straits Times, had done a great job as media officer in Paris.
And on other fronts, we have had Malaysians like Datuk Peter Velappan, Datuk Paul Mony Samuel, and the younger Windsor John Paul, being honoured as general co-ordinators of venues.
Here in Germany, while Paul is handling the venue at Nuremberg, Windsor has been accorded the rare honour of handling the main venue, the venue for the final – the historic Olympiastadion in Berlin.
They call him “The Boss” here, just about everyone from every continent, even from countries that have won the Jules Rimet trophy, actually make it a point to pay their respects to him.
That’s rather uncharacteristic because back home he slips into the shadow in football activities and you hardly know he is there. But here, he is a very important person, they all seek him out, they want to know him, and never fail to greet him when he is around.
As a fellow Malaysian, I feel a glow of pride each time that happens because in the FIFA football fraternity, it looks like this is the only way we Malaysians are ever going to get noticed, honoured, and respected.
Unless of course, the powers that be in Malaysian football do something about gaining some respect from our football as well.
Speaking of which, the clock is ticking, the kick-off for Germany 2006 is drawing ever nearer and the 32 participants are arriving at their training camps to prepare for the impending global showdown. At least that is the theory.
Every day, the crowds of enthusiastic fans flocking to the training grounds of the world’s elite teams grow larger. The euphoria knows no bounds. Simple shooting drills, tactical sessions and ‘five-against-two’ games are being watched by bigger crowds than some top-flight matches.
For several days, Brazilian fans in the picturesque Swiss town of Weggis have contributed to an extraordinary series of events. Against the backdrop of the Alps, about 10,000 fans have turned out to transform the world champions’ training sessions into Samba parties.
Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka and Co seem to appreciate the support, showing their gratitude by stopping to sign countless autographs before returning to the changing rooms.
Things are equally crazy in Wangen, a small German town of 21,000 that Togo have taken by storm. Since May 15, the place has been decorated with as many red, yellow and green flags as it has German ones. The daily training sessions of the Togolese team, conducted by their German coach, Otto Pfister, have become almost municipal festivals.
However, once again, it was the German national team who led the way. The hosts’ training session in Dusseldorf on Wednesday afternoon was watched by 40,000 fans, who had packed into the stadium just to see Jurgen Klinsmann put his team through their paces. Never before have Germany attracted such a big crowd just to see them train.
With crowds to watch training sessions, live broadcasts of Brazil plotting their route to the final and African folk festivals in Wangen – the World Cup has arrived in Germany.
P/S : JAIHO is grateful to Mr Lazarus Rokk, for allowing his article on Windsor Paul, to be republished here.
Windsor John Paul " THE BOSS" in South Africa
SIVAJI the "BOSS" is a well known movie in the Indian Industry, and when super star Rajnikandh acted in the movie he trully carried out the role of the BOSS" very well. From June 14-28, South Africa who will hosting the FIFA Confederations Cup, will also have a new boss who will oversee the progress and development of the FIFA World Cup.
FORMER FAM Head of Research & Development and AFF Technical Assistant Windsor John has been appointed by FIFA as the Confederations Cup "SUPREMO". Windsor will be in South Africa for 1 month to oversee the entire running of the Confederations Cup and will report to FIFA if they will be fit to host the 2010 World Cup given the problems that is taking place in South Africa.
Windsor, who is the protege of Datuk Seri Paul Mony Samuel, was the General Co-ordinator in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He was in Berlin and oversaw the operations and proudly lead the two finalist Italy and France to the match at the Berlin Stadium.
It is learnt Windsor will once again be appointed as FIFA General Co-ordinator for the 2010 World Cup and is expected to do the FINALS as well.
JAIHO who once worked with Windsor from 1996-2002 at the corridors of FAM, congratulates him on the appointment. JAIHO MALAYSIA !
BIENVENIDO KAKA !
Brazil midfielder Kaka finalized his move to Real Madrid on Monday, marking the end of a "soap opera" that will usher in a new phase of his career in Spain.
"Now the soap opera is over," said Kaka, decked out in a yellow Brazilian national term jersey after a practice session ahead of Wednesday's Brazil-Paraguay qualifier in the northeastern coastal city of Recife. "The only leftover details were the medical exams, and I've done them. The negotiations are closed and I have sealed my transfer to Real Madrid."
Real Madrid announced the signing of the attacking midfielder from AC Milan earlier Monday. The Spanish club gave no financial details but reports said Madrid will pay Milan euro65 million ($92 million) for Kaka, making it one of the richest deals in football history.
The largest previous transfer was set by Zinedine Zidane when he joined Madrid from Juventus for US$65 million in 2001.
Kaka, who passed a medical in the northeastern Brazilian city of Recife earlier Monday, signed a six-year contract.
"Kaka is one of the players that every team would like to have and Madrid had the chance to get him," Madrid president Florentino Perez told radio station Onda Cero just before the signing was announced.
Kaka is the first player to join Madrid since Perez regained the club presidency unopposed last week.
Perez has said he intends to revive his "galactico" policy which, along with Zidane, attracted star players like David Beckham, Ronaldo and Luis Figo to Madrid earlier in the decade.
Kaka called Perez' strategy "an interesting sports project."
"He's trying to buy other players, and I think he can make a very offensive team," he told a media conference. "That's behind my decision to go to this team."
Kaka said he talked with Beckham about his transfer, and the England veteran said it would be the best step for his career.
"I hope to be part of this new project and help to win titles, both European and Spanish," he said.
Kaka, the 2007 FIFA world player of the year, turned down a record euro100 million transfer to Manchester City last season.
Presently in Brazil for World Cup qualifiers, Kaka will travel to South Africa with the national team for the June 14-28 Confederations Cup.
Despite previously saying he was happy at Milan, the size of Madrid's bid appears to have proved too much for the Italian club to ignore. Last week, Milan president Silvio Berlusconi and chairman Adriano Galliani said the club had made huge financial losses in recent times.
Madrid's interest in signing Kaka goes back some years. Former Madrid president Ramon Calderon pledged to sign the player in 2006 when he was running for election.
Perez told Onda Cero that Madrid's pursuit of the 27-year-old, whose real name is Ricardo Ezecson Dos Santos Leite, was aided by a collaborative agreement it has with Milan. Milan vice president Adriano Galliani was reportedly in the Spanish capital last Tuesday to pave the way for the deal, along with Kaka's father and manager Bosco Leite.
Perez is expected to attempt to sign several more top names for Madrid before the start of next season. Last week, he announced that Madrid would also be looking to land Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Perez is hoping to revive Madrid's fortunes after a poor season in which it failed to win any silverware while archrival Barcelona won the Champions League and the league and cup double. Nine-time European champion Madrid has not reached the quarterfinals of Europe's top club competition in the past five seasons.
Last week, Madrid appointed Chilean Manuel Pellegrini, formerly of Villarreal, to replace Juande Ramos as coach.
The departure of Kaka, who won the Champions League with Milan in 2007 and the Italian league in 2004, came a week after the coach Carlo Ancelotti left to take charge of Chelsea.
Kaka also said he believes Argentine striker Lionel Messi of Barcelona should be declared best player in the world, but hopes Madrid will overcome its archrival.
"I hope this Barcelona domination ends and that Real Madrid wins the new titles," Kaka said.-AP
World Cup beyond Asia’s reach .. What About Malaysia !
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger says there is no chance of an Asian country winning the World Cup in South Africa next year. Wenger is in Kuala Lumpur as an ambassador for Castrol, who are one one of the main sponsors for the World Cup next year.
He said that although Asian footballing countries have made significant improvement in recent years, it would be almost impossible for them to be a real threat.
“Naturally, I will be at South Africa for the World Cup next year. The favourites for the Cup? Well, it would be the usual suspects. The main two contenders from Europe will be Spain and England. Spain have not even peaked yet but they won the Euro last year,” said Wenger, who did not think his native France were contenders.
“And England have a host of world class players among their ranks. Asia have no chance of winning the Cup next year. Sorry to say, but they simply do not possess enough quality to make a mark at such a prestigious football event.
“I don’t even think that the African countries are ready. I mean, they are good and all but not to lift the World Cup. If there is one country which would be able to spring a good surprise, it would be Ivory Coast. But even then, it is unlikely. It would be good though for the sake of football.”
Wenger will be conducting a coaching clinic for the Malaysian Under-19 team at Dataran Merdeka today. The French tactician will also be involved with a meet-the-fans session after training. It has been 10 years since Wenger last made a trip to Kuala Lumpur.
Prior to this, Wenger was down with the Arsenal team in 1999 when the Gunners played the Malaysian team at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil. Arsenal fans, who are hoping to see their stars in action, may have to wait a long time more as Wenger reckoned that it would be very difficult to have an encore anytime soon.
“The last time we returned to England with some good memories of Malaysia. Unfortunately, to get the whole team to play here again would be extremely tough.
“During off season, the players are always busy with international commitments. So, a tour of Asia is usually out of the question. Unless the fans want us to come with the reserve team!” Wenger said with a laugh- Jonathan Fernandez - The Malay Mail
P/S - WHICH MEANS MALAYSIA WILL NEVER QUALIFY FOR THE FINAL ROUND IN THE QUALIFYING STAGES ?
Jun 8, 2009
MALAYSIA HAMMERED BY INDONESIA
MALAYSIA 3 INDONESIA 7
THAILAND 16 MYANMAR 6
THE SCORE LINE IT SELF SPEAKS ABOUT THE WAY OUR MALAYSIAN PLAYERS WOULD HAVE PLAYED, FAM CAN'T EVEN ASSEMBLE A DESCENT TEAM FOR FUTSAL, THEY WANT TO FOCUS ON BEACH FOOTBALL .. WHAT A JOKE !
MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE
AFC is deeply saddened by the passing away of Brenda Pereira, Secretary, AFC Communications and Media Department, and her husband Gerard Lopez Robert Lopez.
She was 43 years old and her husband was 44.
Pereira joined AFC in 2007 and worked in the AFC Marketing Department before moving to the AFC Communications and Media Department.
Pereira was known for her quick wit, organisational skills and devotion to the well-being of AFC. She was a popular member of the AFC Family.
Her last major AFC event was the 23rd AFC Congress here in the Malaysian capital in May when she assisted the media with the accreditation formalities.
The couple are survived by three sons.
AFC extends its sincerest condolences to the bereaved family, relatives and friends.
BERNAMA STORY ON BRENDA'S FAMILY
A taxi driver and his wife were found slashed to death at their unit on the 22nd floor of the Impian Sutera Condominium at the 6.4km Jalan Gombak this afternoon.
The couple were identified as Gerard Lopez and Brenda Lizabeth Pereira who worked as a secretary at the Asian Football Confederation in Bukit Jalil.
Lopez, 44, whose body was found in the living room, sustained slash wounds on the wrists while Pereira, 43, who was found in the master-bedroom, had a slash wound in the abdomen.
The bodies were sent to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
Sentul police chief ACP Zakaria Pagan said Pereira's older sister and brother found the bodies after forcing open the main door of the unit when a strong stench emanated from the premises about 2pm.
He said a police team found a blood-stained machete at the unit.
"We are waiting for the rest of the post-mortems to ascertain whether the couple were murdered or otherwise...we suspect they have been dead for the past 48 hours," said Zakaria, adding that initial investigations revealed that no intruder had attacked the victims.
He said the couple were survived by three children aged between eight and 18, who were staying with Lopez's sibling. -- BERNAMA
P/S : JAIHO IS SAD TO KNOW THAT THIS HAS HAPPEN, A LOVELY PERSON WHO NEVER FAILS TO SAY HELLO BOTH IN CHURCH AND IN AFC. FUNERAL WILL BE HELD AT ST JOSEPH'S SENTUL TOMORROW AT 11.00AM
When a Malaysian triggered Maradona's abrupt exit from Berlin stadium
ROKK TALK
By Lazarus Rokk - July 23, 2006
LIFE on Planet Football must be going back to normal again as its 4.5 billion inhabitants, inarguably suffering from withdrawal symptoms, savour those magical moments of the greatest show on earth – The FIFA World Cup Germany 2006.
The rest of the world would remember this World Cup more for that Zinedine Zidane-Marco Materazzi incident but my thoughts would be on those up-close-and-personal moments with players and coaches as a FIFA media officer.
I don’t know what thoughts were running in Zidane's head as he trooped down the stairs (where I stood just two feet away) leading to the locker room.
He was wiping away his tears. There was no cursing or swearing from the football genius.
Minutes after that, I did something that I never imagined I would ever do in my life as a Malaysian. I cautioned France and Liverpool striker Cisse. He was standing with the team’s media officer about five metres behind the France bench.
Cisse in his suit and crutch was violently gesticulating at some of the decisions of Argentine referee Alizondo Horacio .
I walked up to him and said: “You are very lucky to be allowed to stand here when you are not supposed to, but if you are going to behave like this I will have to ask you to leave.” And he didn't said a word.
I know I was just doing my job, but personally, it felt good to have that authority over players whom you watch week-in week-out in the English Premier League.
But the high point must surely be on the day of the final itself. When Fabio Grosso crashed in the winning penalty that gave Italy their fourth World Cup title, that was when our work – the media officers – got really hard.
Our job initially was to guide the victors through a specific “lap of honour” path round the stadium.
But all hell broke loose. The Italians were all over the place, the 100-odd photographers became initially uncontrollable, and for a while it became a nightmare. One photographer was almost trampled in the melee.
When order was finally restored, and the players continued the merry-making in their locker room, there was Materazzi sitting on the floor, feet stretched out with his towel just barely covering his family jewels, chatting on his cellular phone for a good 40 minutes.
The only marks on his upper body were tattoos. There was no visible sign of that head-butt incident either on his chest, or in his disposition. The Italian was in high spirits, enjoying the conversation on the phone, and you would never have guessed if you hadn’t seen it yourself that this was a man who had been head-butted and had one of the world’s best players sent off in shame.
In the locker room, there was Malaysian Windsor Paul John, hurrying the Italians to return the precious trophy. You see, no one keeps the original, what the victors get is the replica. The original only comes out on the day of the final and goes back to a Swiss bank the next day. There are apparently four replicas.
Anyway, as the French players came out of their locker room, dreading to take the stairs up to the mixed zone where some 800 reporters were waiting for interviews, the Italians naturally didn’t need convincing. They were only too glad to meet the media.
It was almost 3am before we left the stadium, totally drained of not just the night’s but the month’s events.
I can’t say if it was a great World Cup, as they were really no one player or players who stood out in Germany.
But I know, speaking with many Germans, what the World Cup meant to them. They were just glad it came their way, as it gave the world a chance to know the Germany in a different and more positive light.
Speaking of Windsor, there is one story that was left untold. He was the man who eventually made football’s brat Diego Maradona leave the Olympic Stadium in Berlin in a huff before the Germany-Argentina quarter-final!
Maradona was only allowed to come in with two friends, but he wanted his whole entourage of about 20 to come in. But FIFA didn’t allow that. Then later, his manager told Windsor, the general co-ordinator at Berlin, that Maradona wanted to visit the team in the locker room. That was three minutes before the teams were to troop out.
And Windsor, being the staunch follower of rules, emphatically turned down the request, which caused Maradona to storm out of the stadium in a huff before the kick-off.
The beautiful game truly, is bigger than any individual.
By Lazarus Rokk - July 23, 2006
LIFE on Planet Football must be going back to normal again as its 4.5 billion inhabitants, inarguably suffering from withdrawal symptoms, savour those magical moments of the greatest show on earth – The FIFA World Cup Germany 2006.
The rest of the world would remember this World Cup more for that Zinedine Zidane-Marco Materazzi incident but my thoughts would be on those up-close-and-personal moments with players and coaches as a FIFA media officer.
I don’t know what thoughts were running in Zidane's head as he trooped down the stairs (where I stood just two feet away) leading to the locker room.
He was wiping away his tears. There was no cursing or swearing from the football genius.
Minutes after that, I did something that I never imagined I would ever do in my life as a Malaysian. I cautioned France and Liverpool striker Cisse. He was standing with the team’s media officer about five metres behind the France bench.
Cisse in his suit and crutch was violently gesticulating at some of the decisions of Argentine referee Alizondo Horacio .
I walked up to him and said: “You are very lucky to be allowed to stand here when you are not supposed to, but if you are going to behave like this I will have to ask you to leave.” And he didn't said a word.
I know I was just doing my job, but personally, it felt good to have that authority over players whom you watch week-in week-out in the English Premier League.
But the high point must surely be on the day of the final itself. When Fabio Grosso crashed in the winning penalty that gave Italy their fourth World Cup title, that was when our work – the media officers – got really hard.
Our job initially was to guide the victors through a specific “lap of honour” path round the stadium.
But all hell broke loose. The Italians were all over the place, the 100-odd photographers became initially uncontrollable, and for a while it became a nightmare. One photographer was almost trampled in the melee.
When order was finally restored, and the players continued the merry-making in their locker room, there was Materazzi sitting on the floor, feet stretched out with his towel just barely covering his family jewels, chatting on his cellular phone for a good 40 minutes.
The only marks on his upper body were tattoos. There was no visible sign of that head-butt incident either on his chest, or in his disposition. The Italian was in high spirits, enjoying the conversation on the phone, and you would never have guessed if you hadn’t seen it yourself that this was a man who had been head-butted and had one of the world’s best players sent off in shame.
In the locker room, there was Malaysian Windsor Paul John, hurrying the Italians to return the precious trophy. You see, no one keeps the original, what the victors get is the replica. The original only comes out on the day of the final and goes back to a Swiss bank the next day. There are apparently four replicas.
Anyway, as the French players came out of their locker room, dreading to take the stairs up to the mixed zone where some 800 reporters were waiting for interviews, the Italians naturally didn’t need convincing. They were only too glad to meet the media.
It was almost 3am before we left the stadium, totally drained of not just the night’s but the month’s events.
I can’t say if it was a great World Cup, as they were really no one player or players who stood out in Germany.
But I know, speaking with many Germans, what the World Cup meant to them. They were just glad it came their way, as it gave the world a chance to know the Germany in a different and more positive light.
Speaking of Windsor, there is one story that was left untold. He was the man who eventually made football’s brat Diego Maradona leave the Olympic Stadium in Berlin in a huff before the Germany-Argentina quarter-final!
Maradona was only allowed to come in with two friends, but he wanted his whole entourage of about 20 to come in. But FIFA didn’t allow that. Then later, his manager told Windsor, the general co-ordinator at Berlin, that Maradona wanted to visit the team in the locker room. That was three minutes before the teams were to troop out.
And Windsor, being the staunch follower of rules, emphatically turned down the request, which caused Maradona to storm out of the stadium in a huff before the kick-off.
The beautiful game truly, is bigger than any individual.
Jun 4, 2009
MALAYSIAN SPORTS BLOGGERS ASSOCIATION
THIS morning, I had an idea and it's about starting a "Malaysian Sports Bloggers Association" (MSBA). I infact sent SMS to Rizal Hashim and told him about the idea, and also spoke to Satwant Singh and Tony Mariadass about it. Of course we would like to hear from other sports bloggers as well, and readers are also welcomed to give your opinion on this. The association will be active and able to make a difference in the sporting scene. Maybe we can raise some funds and send the first blogger to cover the Laos Sea Games ! Why not! Let's think BIG ..
GIVE IT A THOUGHT. Have A Great Day .. Together Let's Make A Difference !
GIVE IT A THOUGHT. Have A Great Day .. Together Let's Make A Difference !
M-LEAGUE IS NO FOOTBALL ... WALK THE TALK FAM
WHEN Former national coach B.Sathianathan said M-league is no football, a famous quote among the local football lovers, FAM went for Sathia in a manner that was very unprofessional and FAM's reasoning was "POLICY MATTERS CAN'T BE DISCUSSED IN THE MEDIA" Iwould like to see if FAM is going to ask Kelantan coach Peter Butler to explain the article below that was published today.
WALK THE TALK FAM !
Ex-Hammer Slams Ban ... WILL FAM take action against him now for speaking against policy matters ... Over to Datuk Azzuddin Ahamd
Former West Ham player and current Malaysian-based coach Peter Butler says the no-foreigners rule in Malaysia’s top league is hampering, not helping, the country’s progress.
This season, after years of under-achieving at international level, the Football Association of Malaysia implemented a no-foreigner rule for their domestic league.
Local players, the FA argued, were being frozen out by the foreigners and were not getting adequate exposure in their league.
"While I can see the reasoning behind it, I honestly believe that quality foreign coaches and players would raise the bar and set the standards that the local players should be aspiring to," Butler, who coaches Kelantan, told au.fourfourtwo.com.
One victim of this rule was former Socceroo Ante Milicic. He found himself back in Sydney after a spell with Shahzan Muda in Malaysia's second tier last season.
Malaysia has long been a destination for Australian players with former Socceroos Alan Davidson, Mehmet Durakovic, Abbas Saad, Marshall Soper, Alistair Edwards and Scott Ollerenshaw all plying their trades in the Malaysian league in the 1990s.
Ollerenshaw stayed in Sabah and now runs the Malaysian Airlines Borneo Football Cup (www.borneofootballcup.com) for amateur teams.
As a destination for up-and-coming Aussie players it's a good stepping stone. In nearby Singapore, Australian Brian Soane recently signed with Balestier and more are tipped to follow while a second tier B-League is set up -
Butler says he biggest problem over the last few years is that Malaysian clubs were signing African players on the cheap.
"Admittingly, some of these African players were good pros however some of them were simply not good enough as players who also had bad attitudes thus setting bad examples to the local players".
Many Malaysian fans are said to be cynical about the impact that the rule will have on the national team.
FAM claim that by playing every week, Malaysian players will receive the exposure required to improve as players which in turn will benefit the struggling national team, ranked in the 150-200s.
"The problem with this theory is that the standards set by the local players in the league is simply not good enough," said Butler.
"Therefore, when they play at international level, they are not able to adopt to a game played at a quicker tempo. They are forced to make decisions under pressure situations that they don't experience in their league".
Butler, who played for West Ham in the 1990s, has enjoyed a successful six years in south-east Asia and having coached in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.
He adds that if Malaysian clubs were prepared to pay decent money on quality foreign players and coaches, the standard will improve and local players will naturally evolve into better players.
"Quality foreign players create interest amongst the fans and raise standards on the pitch," he said.
"Let me stress they must be quality - clubs must do proper research on these players and ensure they are not being conned by a dodgy agent looking to make an easy buck."
Aidan Ormond
Jun 4 2009 - (http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/104796,exhammer-slams-import-ban.aspx)
Jun 3, 2009
FAM boss wants to go back to the grassroots .. We Have heard this before
The Football Association Malaysia's main future vision is to reinstate the lost pride in football, which Malaysia used to command in the past, says FAM President, Sultan Ahmad Shah.
"As we all know, a weak youth development programme would eventually lead to a weak national team. Hence, going back to the grassroots would be the only solution, which should also be our main priority," said Ahmad Shah.
He said Malaysia needed to create a strong base of players who are technically, tactically, physiologically and psychologically sound and strong in order to develop the sport further.
He added that in football, players learn to win and also to lose.
"Both factors contribute equally to the school of football. At the end of the day if young footballers can take with them the education that has been provided by football, they will be stronger people.
"We have to turn football into a school of life by forging links between football, schools, the government and private organisation," said Ahmad Shah.
He said this in a speech text that was read by Sabah Football Association (Safa) Deputy President-cum-AFC U-13 2009 Advisor, Datuk Lawrence Gimbang, who represented the FAM president at the launching of the Asian Football Championship Under-13 2009 held at the Likas Sports Complex here, Tuesday.
Also present were AFC Project Manager, Dr. R. Annathurai, AFC U-13 Deputy Chairman, Subramaniam E. R., Safa Secretary-cum-AFC Assistant Project Manager, Harry Baking and various AFC Officials, among others.
The AFC, which is being held from May 24 to June 7, is the fourth consecutive year that it is being held in Kota Kinabalu.
A total of ten countries are taking part namely Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
There will not be any outright winner or champion emerging from this festival as it is not a competitive championship. Participating teams and its players will be given certificates of participation by AFC.
AFC's mission is to increase the football playing base and ensure a positive and enjoyable life experience for children and young adults by implementing programmes and activities that raise the standard of performance overall and support the development of each individual player within the game of football in all Asian countries.
Its aim is to afford Under-14 players the opportunity to play and gain experience in which the goal is to achieve certain physical, technical and tactical development rather than emphasis on winning.
The programme is also designed to educate officials, coaches, and players in fair play and positive behaviour and encourages countries to start youth development plan at an early age.
To promote fair play, players who exhibit good sporting behaviour during the game will be shown the Green Card, such as by helping an injured player, apologising and shaking hands with the opponent for unintentional foul play and for kicking the ball out of play when an opponent is injured and needs medical attention.
The AFC is regarded as a platform for identifying talented players as well as to collect data of Asian age group players.
Various workshops and clinics were organised to help develop the skills and abilities of not just the young players but also coaches, referees and other officials. - Daily Express- Sabah
SUCCESSION PLANNING IN NSC & OCM
IN 2006 I graduated with an MBA from Monash University, during the two year program I studied about succession planning and talent management (Human Resource Management module). I have always tried to relate this back to the sporting environment in this country. Sadly both National Sports Council (NSC) and Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have their their own views on the above matter.
WHO is being groomed to take over the "GOOD WORK" that is done or being done by NSC Director General Datuk Zolkples Embong or for that matter OCM secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi. Do this two association have a succession planning in place, or it's just about Me, Myself and I . I will leave it to you to decide.
ABOUT SUCCEESSION PLANNING
Sports metaphors often are used as a common language to explain the cut and thrust of business. It makes sense — there’s the team-work element, the air of competition and (with any luck) a sense of fair play. But unnecessary roughness on the field not withstanding, how aggressive should succession planning be?
“We’ve had a very institutionalized succession planning process for about 20 years, and I know in talking with other organizations that they may define what we do as very aggressive because we spend a lot of time on it,” said Holly Kurtz, Wells Fargo senior vice president and director talent management and learning. “We use it all year long, we take talent actions from it, our CEO is personally involved, but that’s just how we do it. It’s a process that we pay a lot of attention to.”
There are a few different components involved in creating an aggressive succession planning strategy, or what Wells Fargo calls “talent review.” First, Kurtz said it’s critical to have CEO and senior leadership involvement and sponsorship.
“They hold people accountable for it,” she said. “We have a talent-review period that culminates in a series of meetings with our CEO, our chief human resources officer, myself and each of the heads of our business. We spend several hours with each of our 24 businesses, doing a very in-depth review of talent in the organization both from a succession planning perspective, but also, ‘Who’s ready for a move, where are their blockers, who are the stars, how are we doing around developing our diverse leadership pipeline?’”
Aggressive succession planning can mean evaluating multiple factors affecting the talent pool, not just ensuring there’s someone waiting on the bench in the event of an emergency.
At Wells Fargo, the talent review conversation will out-line business objectives for the year and the talent implications around them. Out of that talent review process, some kind of action will result.
For instance, Kurtz said, if Joe Smith has been identified as being ready for a move, sometime during the year, his senior leader will help him move into the next role via promotion or a stretch assignment.
“Each of the leaders report in, in terms of readiness for a move, development action, risk around marketability and job satisfaction. There’s a number of factors discussed around each person,” Kurtz said. “If talent has been identified as ready for a move, for the rest of the year, we work to help that talent get into the next role, whether that’s inside or outside their business. We have check-in meetings twice a year with each of the senior leaders, so we build accountability into it, as well. It’s not just, ‘Check it off the list — we did succession planning.’”
Aggressive talent review also will look down the leadership pipeline to identify rising stars and make sure robust and aggressive development plans are in place to help them achieve their potential.
“We’ve been very focused on that around our diverse leader pipeline,” Kurtz said. “We have different tools and criteria to look at high-potential, emerging potential and a group we call ‘high professional,’ meaning they have very valuable resources and skill sets, but they’re not necessarily about upward mobility.
“But we wouldn’t want to lose them, so that’s a talent pool we pay attention to. You live it all year long, what you’ve talked about, and follow up on it. The key opening happens, you look at your backup list and say, ‘Who did we talk about, who did we consider?’ We do the outreach
Jun 2, 2009
FLY AWAY, FLY AWAY
The roof of the 50,000-capacity Gong Badak stadium in Terengganu collapsed at about 7.30am today.
It is not immediately clear if anyone was hurt in the collapse. The cause of the collapse is also unknown.
Eyewitnesses told Malaysiakini that several vehicles were crushed by the falling roof.
Freelance journalist Sazali Mohd Nor told Malaysiakini that the high roof at the left end of the stadium had collapsed.
The low roof on the right side of the stadium was unaffected.
Malaysiakini learnt that the stadium's consultants were always worried on the strength of the roofs which were built by a foreign contractor.
The stadium was officially opened by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin last year.
The all-seater stadium was used by the state football team.- MALAYSIAKINI
Jun 1, 2009
SATHIANATHAN VS FAM
FORMER National Coach B.Sathianathan takes on his former employer - FA of Malaysia for unlawful dismissal. The case will heard at the Shah Alam Labour court at 11.30 am today. Sathianathan who guided Malaysia to win the Merdeka Tournament in 2007 and the finals in 2008, is claiming that FAM's one month notice is not valid and unacceptable especially when the Key Performance Indicator (KPI's) was not given to him during the extension of the contract.
JAIHO checked with the legal department in FIFA, and it was revealed that the sacking was not valid and the FAM might have to compensate one year salary including damages claimed by Sathianathan who hails from Muar.
This is the story that I wrote on the day exco decided to sack Sathianathan and Manager Datuk Soh Chin Aun (Jan 2, 2009)
Yesterday, the FAM executive committee, as predicted by Timesport on Saturday, sacked B. Sathianathan as the national coach but what wasn't expected was Datuk Soh Chin Aun's removal as team manager.
The problem is the manager of the national team is FAM deputy president Khairy Jamaluddin and not Chin Aun, a situation which left the officials at the press conference rather sheepish.
The press conference started on a routine note, if the sacking of individuals can ever be termed as that, with another FAM deputy president Datuk Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad announcing the decision.
"The exco decided to terminate's Sathianathan's contract and also the position of Datuk Soh Chin Aun as the team manager. Datuk (Capt (R)) Gulzar Mohamad is the new team manager," said Redzuan.
"The committee, chaired by Sultan Ahmad Shah, felt that new blood is needed to bring changes to the national team."
When pointed out that Khairy, and not Chin Aun, was officially listed as the national team manager, Redzuan responded: "I don't know how to answer the question. Even though, in our official minutes, it is Khairy Jamaluddin who is the team manager, the job was delegated to Chin Aun."
Asked what the criteria would be, seeing as FAM had decided new blood was needed not only for the coaching aspect but also of that of the manager, Redzuan said: "At this point in time, we have a set of guidelines and the national team management committee is going to oversee the national team's movements and performance. As for the next national coach, we will announce the candidate soon."
K. Rajagopal is expected to be the caretaker coach but Sathianathan, when contacted, said he wasn't surprised with the decision.
"I expected it and I wish FAM and the players the best. I have no complaints but if I am being sacked because I said the M-League is not football, then I accept the decision in good faith," said Sathianathan.
"Sacking me is not going to change the fate of Malaysian football if people are not sincere in what they do."
Chin Aun also looked at it in a philosophical manner.
"Managing Malaysia is not like managing Manchester United. I did it for the love of the game. I played at the highest level for Malaysia but if this is what it is meant to be, I accept," said Chin Aun.
FAIR PLAY NEWS BY JOE MARCOSE
REV.JOE MARCOSE former Utusan Malaysia Sports News Editor and Sports Editor has started a blog – www.joemarcose.blogspot.com – JOE who is known for his humility and simplicity always been a low profile individual. He works part time in OCM as their Media Officer and I am sure JOE’s immense experience in sports is still valuable.
Welcome Joe.
Read his latest posting on Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA)
Welcome Joe.
Read his latest posting on Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA)
NEVER FORGET
USS New York
It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center .
It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.
Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite , LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.'
Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said. 'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back.'
The ship's motto? 'Never Forget'
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