SCHOOL SPORTS ON A CEMENT FLOOR

SRJK Bukit Jalil school had their sports day on a cement floor approximately the size of a badminton court. How to produce Champions if this is the state of sports in schools, where the school fields are taken away. Watch Malaysiakini video here .

Can someone from the Education Ministry look into this. What are the MIC leaders doing about the situation ?

WHATS THE TARGET ZOL

Guangzhou Asian Games host, China's promise of organising the best games ever, was clearly evident through the transformation of the city's landscape which reflects a sports city outlook, said Malaysian contingent Chef-de-Mission Datuk Zolkples Embong.

Zolkples who visited Guangzhou, the third largest city in China with a population of about 10 million, last week, said the city had undergone a massive transformation.

"The Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (GAGOC) have worked hard and channeled a lot of effort towards ensuring the success of the games, especially in terms of facilities.

"Facilities like the Games Village in Guangzhou can be regarded as better than the Games Village for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games," he told Bernama on Tuesday.

Malaysian athletes would have no reasons to complaint about the excellent facilities provided by GAGOC, he said.

Zolkples who is also the National Sports Council (NSC) director general said he had also visited a number the 12 new venues built and nine more upgraded for the games and expected to be ready by May.

The opening and closing ceremonies would be held at the new Guangdong Olympic Sports Centre which has a capacity of 80,000.

"With banners and buntings everywhere, Guangzhou looks like it is ready to host the games. The outlook of the whole city seems to be given a facelift and there are special lanes for athletes to go to the stadiums for training or competition," he said.

He added that GAGOC would use the services of 60,000 volunteers who were vetted from 800,000 applications received, to ensure the smooth success of the Games from Nov 13-21.

Zolkples added that GAGOC would also provide translation services to the 45 member countries of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

GAGOC's deputy marketing department director Yuan Yue who visited Malaysia last year had said that USD500 million (RM16.5 billion) was allocated for infrastructure and facilities for the games.

RUNNER RUNNING AN ASSOCIATION ?

SOMEONE called me to talk about an association that has been the limelight in the last couple of day. He said " Chris why don't you check who is this runner that is trying to put pressure on the official to leave or to terminate a sponsorship contract."

He added on " The runner must be so powerful that people can be removed or suspended, is this why Malaysian Sports does not succeed"

I have always thought only in politics they have runners, it seems sports associations are also using this mode of operation .. Some running away, some will be caught with their pants down.. It is just matter of time.

To those runners please try the latest new balance R320 shoe it's fantastic...

ASTRO ARENA LAUNCHED

Local sports fans will be able to enjoy 24 hours of sports action when Astro Arena, a fully sports channel on Astro is launched on March 26.

Astro Arena, to be aired on Astro's channel 801, would be showing Malaysians competing in the SEA Games, the New Delhi Commonwealth Games, Asian Games in Guangzhou, China and the Youth Olympics in Singapore.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Astro Arena can play an important role in the development and promotion of sports in the country as the nation aspires to excel regionally and internationally.

"The timing of the launch is perfect as the Education Ministry will be introducing various activities for school children under the 1 student, 1 sport initiative," said Ahmad Shabery during the launch.

Ahmad Shabery said the future of Malaysian sports depends largely on coverage from the media to reach the masses while the sports itself had contributed tremendously to the economy of the country.

"Sports is a huge industry and has its own economic sectors and provides a platform for sports science experts, athletes, sports insurance companies to earn big money," he said.

Measat Broadcast Network Systems chief executive officer Datuk Rohana Rozhan said Astro Arena was able to fulfill the demand for sports content in the country through live telecast of local and international sports events.

In efforts to draw interest of the younger generation, we have roped local sports personalities like Datuk Lee Chong Wei (badminton), Esther Cheah (bowling), Mohd Zaquan Adha (football) and P. Mariappan (Paralympics) to be our Astro Arena Ambassadors, she said.

BAM IN CRISIS

BAM Secretary Gangga Rao was suspended with immediate effect by BAM President Datuk Nadzmi Salleh yesterday. Did BAM serve Gangga a show cause letter ? Did Nadzmi inform the council members? Read Star's take here and New Straits Times here.

Blogger Satwant Singh manage to speak to Gangga Rao read Gangga's reactions here.

At the Astro Arena Launch, Sports Minister Datuk Shabery Cheek said that National Sports Council (NSC) and Sports Ministry will monitor the situation.

I suggest the Minister stay out of it. I think Datuk Nadzmi is good enough to manage the problem.

FAM EXPLAINS

FAM PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ISSUE ON HARIMAU MUDA IN SLOVAKIA

INTRODUCTION

• IN THE WAKE OF SEVERE CRITICISM AIMED AT THE FA OF MALAYSIAPERTAINING TO THE SLOVAKIAN STINT FOR THE HARIMAU MUDA A TEAM, THE SECRETARIAT IS COMPELLED TO CLARIFY A FEW ISSUES RAISED BY THE
MEDIA.

• THOUGH THE SECRETARIAT WISHE S TO REFRAIN FROM QUESTIONING THE MOTIVES OF CERTAIN QUARTERS IN HIGHLIGHTING THE ISSUE, THERE IS A NEED TO CLEAR THE AIR ARISING FROM ONE MEDIA REPORT THAT WAS PUBLISHED ABOUT A WEEK AGO, CASTING ASPERSIONS OVER THE POSITION OF THE HARIMAU MUDA TEAM IN SLOVAKIA.

• IT NEEDS TO BE REITERATED THE OBJECTIVE OF SENDING THE HARIMAU MUDA TEAM TO SLOVAKIA IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NATIONAL TEAM IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT SEA GAMES IN 2011,
WHICH IS TO DEFEND THE GOLD MEDAL. IT IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPOSURE TO HIGH LEVEL GAMES AND EXPERIENCE FOR THE YOUNG TIGERS.

• IT WAS FAM’S COLLECTIVE DECISION TO SEND THE TEAM TO SLOVAKIA AND
NOT AN INDIVIDUAL DECISION.

• FAM DID NOT GO ON A FUND‐RAISING CAMPAIGN NOR MADE ANY REQUEST
TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR FUNDING TO SEND THE TEAM. ALL COST IS
BORNE BY HRH THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF. THUS, THERE IS NO PUBLIC FUND
INVOLVED AND IT IS SOLELY AN FAM INITIATIVE. BELOW IS THE
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS LEADING TO THE STINT IN SLOVAKIA FOR MOHD
AZRAAI KHOR ABDULLAH AND HIS TEAM.

BACKGROUND

• AFTER HARIMAU MUDA BECAME THE PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS IN
2009, THE FAM TECHNICAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED TO THE FAM
COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE/INCLUDE THE TEAM IN THE
SUPER LEAGUE 2010.

• THE COMPETITION COMMITTEE ENDORSED THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE’S
RECOMMENDATION AND HARIMAU MUDA WAS INCLUDED AS ONE OF THE
SUPER LEAGUE TEAMS FOR 2010 SEASON.

• UNFORTUNATELY, THE FAM COUNCIL ON 7 DECEMBER 2009 OPPOSED THE
IDEA.

• HARIMAU MUDA TEAM WAS THUS LEFT IN A LURCH WITHOUT ANY
COMPETITION TO PARTICIPATE IN. AS THIS TEAM, BEING AN UNDER‐21
TEAM, HAD BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE SEA GAMES IN 2011, THE FAM
SECRETARIAT THEN WAS TASKED TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY FOR THE
TEAM TO PARTICIPATE IN OTHER LEAGUES WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE
REGION.

• FAM APPROACHED FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE (FAS) AS WELL
AS THE SLOVAK FA. FAS WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT THE TEAM BUT DUE TO
TIME CONTRAINTS, WE WERE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE “S” LEAGUE.
FORTUNATELY THE SLOVAK FA WAS ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE FAM.

SLOVAK FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
• ON 26TH JANUARY 2010, FAM RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL LETTER FROM SLOVAK
FA STATING THAT THEY HAVE NO OBJECTION, PROVIDED IT IS ACCEPTED BY
THE UNION OF LEAGUE CLUBS, THE BODY THAT MANAGES THE SLOVAK
FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

• SUBSEQUENTLY, ON 27TH JANUARY 2010, THE UNION OF LEAGUE CLUB OF
SLOVAKIA WROTE TO FAM SAYING THAT THEY HAVE NO OBJECTIONS,
PROVIDED FAM IS AGREEABLE TO THEIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

FAM FINANCE COMMITTEE AND EXCO

• UPON GETTING THIS LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE, THE FAM DEPUTY PRESIDENT,
WHO IS ALSO THE TECHNICAL CHAIRMAN AND THE GENERAL SECRETARY,
HAD AN AUDIENCE WITH HRH THE PRESIDENT TO OBTAIN HRH’S BLESSINGS.

• UPON GETTING HRH THE PRESIDENT’S CONSENT, THE MATTER WAS TABLED
AT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND EXCO ON 31 JANUARY 2010. BOTH THE
FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE EXCO APPROVED THE PARTICIPATION OF
HARIMAU MUDA IN THE SLOVAK LEAGUE.

• THE GENERAL SECRETARY WAS THEN SENT TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS WITH
THE SLOVAK FA AND THE UNION OF LEAGUE CLUBS IN THE FIRST WEEK OF
FEBRUARY 2010.

• THE DECISION TO SEND THE TEAM TO SLOVAKIA WAS NOT A ONE MAN’S
DECISION. IT WAS APPROVED BY HRH THE PRESIDENT AND SUBSEQUENTLY
ENDORSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE EXCO.

GENERAL SECRETARY’S VISIT TO SLOVAKIA

• HAD A MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF SLOVAK FA AND THE PRESIDENT
OF UNION OF LEAGUE CLUBS PRESIDENTS.
• BOTH THE PRESIDENTS WELCOMED THE PARTICIPATION OF THE MALAYSIAN
U21 TEAM AS THIS IS SOMETHING NEW TO THEM AND THEY EXPECT TO
CREATE INTEREST AMONG THEIR LEAGUE TEAMS AND SUPPORTERS.
• AT THAT POINT OF TIME IT WAS MADE KNOWN TO THE GENERAL SECRETARY
THAT THE MALAYSIAN TEAM WILL PLAY ACCORDING TO THE LEAGUE
SCHEDULE.
• IT WAS ALSO MENTIONED THAT POINTS WILL BE AWARDED TO THEIR TEAM
FOR A WIN AND A DRAW BUT NOT TO THE MALAYSIAN TEAM.

• FAM HAS TO FULFILL THE LEAGUE FEES LIKE ANY OTHER SLOVAK TEAM AND
BEAR THE COST FOR GAME ORGANISATION SUCH AS STADIUM RENTAL, FEES
FOR THE ADMINISTRATORS, MATCH OFFICIALS, BALL BOYS, MEAL FOR THE
OFFICIALS AND VISITING TEAM ETC.

• THE ABOVE POINTS WERE CONVEYED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE MALAYSIAN
MEDIA DURING THE PC HELD ON 19TH FEBRUARY 2010.

CONCLUSION

• THERE IS NOTHING TO LIE OR HIDE TO THE MEDIA ON THIS ISSUE.
• THE TEAM GET TO PLAY 14 HIGH QUALITY MATCHES WITH 14 SLOVAK DIV
ONE LEAGUE CLUBS AND NUMEROUS FRIENDLY MATCHES IN BETWEEN THE
LEAGUE SCHEDULE, ON AN AVERAGE 0F ONE MATCH PER WEEK.
OVER AND ABOVE THAT, 4 FRIENDLY INTERNATIONAL MATCHES WITH
POLAND, AUSTRIA, CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY UNDER 21 TEAMS HAVE
BEEN ARRANGED.
• THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS, YB DATO’ RAZALI IBRAHIM
AND DATO’ ZOLKPLES EMBONG, DIRECTOR‐GENERAL OF NATIONAL SPORTS
COUNCIL (NSC), WHO WERE THERE ON 6TH MARCH 2010 TO WITNESS THE
2ND GAME THE HARIMAU MUDA PLAYED, CAN TESTIFY ON THE STANDARD OF
THE MATCH THAT WAS PLAYED.
• ONE OF THE TOP TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE HAS OFFERED PLACES TO TWO OR
THREE PLAYERS TO BE ATTACHED TO THEIR CLUB.
• UNION OF LEAGUE CLUBS HAS OFFERED FAM TO PARTICIPATE IN FULL
SEASON OF THE LEAGUE, FROM AUGUST TO NOVEMBER AND FEBRUARY TO
MAY 2011. WE HAVE NOT MADE ANY DECISION ON THIS OFFER.
• CREATING CONTROVERSIES OVER NOTHING WOULD CREATE A BAD IMAGE

FOR FAM AND MAY AFFECT THE MORALE TO THE TEAM.

RM 2 MILLION TO SETTLE ARREARS

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has announced a RM2mil allocation for the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to pay bonuses in arrears for its players and coaches.
This came after national shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s victory in the All-England tournament on Sunday.

“This is a long-awaited victory at one of the highest levels of badminton. This will be a stepping stone to winning the Thomas Cup,” Najib said after he and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor received Lee and coach Datuk Misbun Sidek at their official residence yesterday.

Najib said he had high hopes of Malaysia winning the Thomas Cup in May, but did not want to put pressure on the players.

“I just want them to concentrate on preparing for it,” he said.
Najib also said there were plans to set up a badminton academy to develop younger players and strengthen the country’s position in world badminton.

“If there is no systematic development in the sport, we may run out of players of calibre in the future,” he said, adding that the Youth and Sports, and Education ministries were currently identifying locations for the academy.

Najib also said the Youth and Sports Ministry would help BAM with its administrative processes. “For example, they can arrange for our players to arrive at overseas venues earlier, so they have more time to prepare.”- Bernama

REALITY OF MALAYSIAN SUPER LEAGUE

Selangor’s campaign in the AFC Cup football tournament took a severe blow when they went down to a humiliating 1-6 defeat by Indonesian club Sriwijaya in a Group F match at the Jaka Baring Stadium in Palembang yesterday.

National striker Mohd Safee Sali put the Red Giants ahead in the 16th minute before his side caved in.

Sriwijaya scored their goals through St Kitts and Nevis international striker and former Sabah player Keith Gumbs (86th, 89th), Arif Suyono (38th, 69th), Krangar Zah (39th) and Rachmat Maruf (58th).

The FA of Selangor (FAS) secretary, Datuk Mohd Hamidin Amin, said that their team lost shape after skipper Mohd Amri Yahyah was sacked two minutes after the break.

Selangor were held to a goalless draw by Binh Duong of Vietnam in their opening game in Shah Alam last month. They play against Victory of Maldives next in Mali on March 24.

WHY NADZMI?

LESS then two days after Datuk Lee Chong Wei won the All England, BAM seem to be in limelight for the wrong reasons. Datuk Nadzmi has done very well as a BAM President... But who is this officer who is trying to topple him, why is this officer given so much importance, is he more powerful than the President and Council. Read Berita Harian Sports Editor Norbakti Alias take here.

KE hadapan Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Salleh, Presiden Persatuan Badminton Malaysia.

Assalamualaikum,

DatukTERLEBIH dahulu saya memohon maaf kiranya surat ini dianggap mengganggu ketenteraman Datuk.

Merujuk kepada perkara di atas, ini adalah kali pertama saya menulis surat kepada Datuk tetapi ini adalah surat kedua yang sama pentingnya ditulis oleh saya dalam tempoh sebulan ini.Kita sedar kejayaan Datuk Lee Chong Wei menjuarai Seluruh England sebagai sesuatu yang melegakan Datuk ketika persiapan menghadapi Piala Thomas di Kuala Lumpur nampak kurang menggalakkan.

Namun ia tidak harus menyembunyikan hakikat tidak semuanya dalam BAM aman damai.Saya terpanggil untuk menulis surat terbuka kepada Datuk selepas melihat suasana huru-hara yang dicetus pegawai BAM sehingga bukan sahaja menimbulkan keresahan di kalangan petugas di pejabat persatuan, anggota Majlis BAM, jurulatih serta pemain sendiri malah persiapan skuad Piala Thomas dan Uber negara sedikit sebanyak terjejas akibat perbuatan pegawai berkenaan yang lebih sudu daripada kuah.

Saya percaya Datuk sedia maklum selepas berpeluang berjumpa sendiri dengan beberapa pemain, sesuatu pertemuan yang gagal diatur untuk Datuk oleh pegawai itu.Ada yang ditakut-takutkan semata-mata kerana tidak sependapat dengan pegawai itu, yang saya percaya Datuk sedia maklum siapa yang dimaksudkan.

Mungkin Datuk tidak menyedari tapi itulah hakikatnya apabila pegawai itu kini mendabik dada mengatakan BAM adalah dia dan dia adalah BAM.'Kuasa' yang dimilikinya sudah menjadikan pegawai ini mengandaikan dirinya mengatasi segalanya apabila menggunakan nama Datuk dan nama VVIP sewenang-wenangnya untuk menghalalkan segala tindakannya.

Tajaan terbaru yang diperolehi BAM sendiri sudah cukup membuktikan bagaimana Datuk sendiri dipinggirkan. Di depan Datuk, dia 'menjual' nama VVIP bagi 'menakutkan' Datuk manakala di hadapan penaja lama, nama Datuk pula 'dijualnya' untuk melepaskan dirinya.Perbuatannya selama ini menjadi 'halal' kerana dia sedar tiada siapa yang berani membuat pengesahan daripada VVIP atau Datuk sendiri.

Taktik ini sebenarnya bukan asing dalam BAM dan penyakit ini sukar diubati selagi badminton terus mendapat perhatian tinggi orang kenamaan.Cuma saya berharap Datuk tidak menjadi mangsa konspirasi khususnya selepas kempen Piala Thomas nanti.Mungkin Datuk tidak menyedari sudah ada pihak yang mahu menggunakan keadaan kesihatan Datuk sebagai satu liabiliti kepada BAM walaupun sebelum ini, merekalah yang bersungguh-sungguh mahukan Datuk mempertahankan kerusi presiden sewaktu pemilihan BAM akhir tahun lalu.

Tapi itu cuma rancangan dalam menghalang seseorang daripada bertanding untuk jawatan itu.Namun jangan terkejut selepas Mei nanti, pihak itu akan menggunakan peluang 'menyingkirkan' Datuk, sama seperti situasi yang pernah dialami Datuk Dr Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan pada 2000. Sebab itulah pegawai ini tidak ambil peduli mengenai peluang skuad Piala Thomas negara, malah sanggup mengucar-kacirkan persiapan dengan tindakannya.

Perancangan ini sudah saya dengar sejak tahun lalu lagi dan dengan apa yang berlaku ketika ini, segalanya nampak semakin hampir menjadi kenyataan.Rasanya masih belum terlewat untuk Datuk memulihkan keadaan khususnya menjelang Piala Thomas ini sambil membuktikan Datuk bukan jenis orang yang boleh diperkotak-katikkan oleh pegawai sedemikian.

Jangan nanti orang hanya mentertawakan Datuk kerana sistem ‘kaizen’ yang mahu diterapkan dalam BAM selama ini, hanya satu lawak ketika kudis sebenar BAM tidak diubati.Mungkin kesilapan Datuk adalah terlalu mempercayai pegawai itu sehingga dia bebas melakukan apa sahaja. Barangkali selepas ini, Datuk tidak lagi sekadar mendengar satu pihak sahaja kerana pokok tidak bergoyang tanpa angin.

Namun saya percaya Datuk masih berkemampuan memperbetulkan keadaan sebelum Datuk sama-sama diheret menanggung masalah dicetus pegawai ini.Saya tidak mempunyai sebarang agenda peribadi biarpun ada tuduhan yang dilemparkan termasuk menerima bayaran daripada pegawai itu selama ini.

Teguran ikhlas ini bertujuan memperbetulkan keadaan sebelum terlambat.

Yang ikhlas,Norbakti Alias

COME ON LET'S TWIST AGAIN

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) today defended its decision to send the Harimau Muda A squad to play in the First League of Slovakia and considered it an effort to elevate the country's performance in football.

FAM deputy president Datuk Seri Redzuan Sheikh Ahmad said the stint by the Under-21 team did not mean that FAM squandered money.

"The matter is subjective and FAM is monitoring their performance there. If its just playing friendlies, they might as well play here but we want that they play to enhance skills and experience."

"I want to stress that FAM does not waste money at will and we hope for public support," he said at a news conference related to the issue of the squad's trip to Slovakia at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya, here on Monday.

He was commenting on newspaper reports that criticised the squad's particiapation in the First League of Slovakia as being just playing friendly matches and that the squad was not listed as a team competing in the league.

Redzuan said FAM constantly monitored the performance of the players and they were focused on their game.

"This the first time a national squad is playing in a foreign league and we have strived hard to give then an opportunity to enhance their football skills in that country," he said.

Redzuan said that after the Slovakia stint the Harimau Muda will play in the President Obama Cup in Michigan, the United States from May 18-25.

According to him, after playing in the Slovakia First League, the Harimau Muda is expected to play in the Singapore League next year if it was agreed to by the Football Association of Singapore.

Redzuan said FAM was planning to arrange four international matches for the squad with the Under-21 squads of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland but the dates had not been fixed - Harimau Muda.Com

WELL DONE DATUK

Datuk Lee Chong Wei was crowned All England Open 2010 men's singles champion for the first time after beating Kenichi Tago of Japan at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.

To add another feather to his cap, Chong Wei's victory coincided with the 100th anniversary of the championship.

The Penang-born shuttler made it to the final last year but he went down gallantly to Lin Dan of China.

Trailing 0-4 at the outset of the first game, Chong Wei clawed his way back to win the closely fought encounter 21-19.

In the second game, the plucky Tago forced Chong Wei into errors before the world number one got the better of him with a score of 21-19.

Despite his defeat, Tago was still a giant killer where he eliminated top names, Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin of China, on his way to the final.

Earlier, in the women's singles final, world number 10 Tine Rassmussen of Denmark pulled an upset over defending champion and world number one Wang Yihan of China to grab the prestigous title.

Rassmussen beat Wang 21-14, 18-21, 21-19 after an hour-long match.

In the mixed doubles, Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei of China won the title after defeating world number two Nova Widianto-Liliyana Natsir 21-18, 23-25, 21-18.

The battles for the championship titles in the men's and women's doubles involving Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen and Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen of Denmark, and Du Jing-Yu Yang and Cheng Shu-Zhao Yunlei of China respectively are scheduled later Monday morning.

TELL US MORE MR AMBASSADOR

FORMER FAM General Secretary Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad spoke to Harian Metro about his views on Harimau Muda in Slovakia. Maybe Datuk Seri can enlighten us about Slovakia and the agent Miro. During his tenure as FAM General Secretary, FAM engaged the services of Miro to send the teams over. Maybe Datuk Seri can tells us how much they spent then... That might help. Read his comments here

BEKAS Setiausaha Agung FAM, Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad (gambar) berharap FAM tampil menjelaskan kedudukan sebenar dan bukannya terus berdolak-dalik mengenai kedudukan sebenar Harimau Muda A yang mengambil bahagian dalam Liga Satu Slovakia ketika ini.

Beliau berkata, apa dilaporkan Arena Metro sebelum ini bukannya mempertikaikan mengenai program pendedahan dilakukan FAM, sebaliknya ingin mendapatkan penjelasan sebenar status perlawanan diharungi skuad bawah 21 tahun negara itu yang didakwa hanyalah perlawanan persahabatan.

“Saya yang mengikuti isu Harimau Muda A ini sudah naik pening, bila pegawai FAM kata lain, pentadbiran kata lain. FAM kena telus, beritahu perkara sebenar sama ada perlawanan Harimau Muda A di Slovakia perlawanan persahabatan atau perlawanan kompetitif liga kerana bukan soal pendedahan dipertikaikan, tapi status perlawanan itu.

“Kenapa sebelum ini mahu gembar-gemburkan bahawa ia perlawanan liga, seolah-olah satu kehebatan. Kenapa susah sangat mahu mengaku sejak dari awal yang itu hanyalah perlawanan persahabatan, tidak ada salahnya sekiranya itu perlawanan persahabatan. “Ia juga satu pendedahan yang baik, tidak perlu berselindung kerana ketelusan itu penting. Saya tahu bukan mudah untuk mendapat peluang pendedahan, tapi biarlah beritahu hal sebenar, janganlah beri harapan tinggi,” katanya ketika dihubungi semalam.

Selepas isu mengenai status kedudukan Harimau Muda A dalam Liga Satu Slovakia dipertikaikan, sehingga kini Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) masih belum memberi jawapan tepat sejauh mana kebenaran dakwaan itu.

Apa yang cuba dilakukan badan induk bola sepak tanah air itu adalah mengalih persoalan sebenar dengan membicarakan soal pendedahan dan bukannya menyatakan pendirian sama ada 14 perlawanan diharungi skuad bawah 21 tahun itu saingan kompetitif liga bagi menangkis dakwaan Pengurus Komersil MFK Ruzomberok, Michal Mertinyak bahawa perlawanan kelabnya dengan skuad negara Sabtu lalu adalah perlawanan persahabatan yang tidak menawarkan sebarang mata buat mereka.

Malah, dakwaan itu dikuatkan dengan laporan akhbar bahasa Inggeris kelmarin, memetik kenyataan Pengarah Kejohanan Kesatuan Kelab Liga Slovakia, Peter Dedik yang mengesahkan perlawanan membabitkan Harimau Muda A hanyalah perlawanan persahabatan.

Walhal sebelum skuad negara ke Slovakia pertengahan bulan lalu, FAM memberitahu skuad kendalian jurulatih Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah itu mengharungi perlawanan liga kompetitif yang menawarkan mata jika menang atau seri.

Ibrahim yang memegang tugas itu selama tiga tahun bermula 2005, berkata program kerjasama dengan Slovakia bukan sesuatu yang baru kerana ia sudah direncanakan sebelum ini, namun FAM ketika itu belum mampu melaksanakannya.

TM CONNECTS WITH RED DEVILS

Telekom Malaysia yesterday signed a five-year multi-million pound sterling deal to sponsor Manchester United that could generate up to RM100 million in revenue a year from one of the world’s most popular football clubs.

The deal was signed after the Red Devils beat Milan 4-0 and is the telecommunication company’s second large-scale English football sponsorship deal announced this year, after the agreement with the England Football Association earlier this year to sponsor the England National team on a one-year contract.

Malaysia’s connection with the Red Devils began in 2005 when Air Asia put up A-boards in Old Trafford. The low-cost airline later went to sponsor patches in the match officials’ uniforms. Another company involved in English football was Proton when it sponsored Norwich City football club.

The deals come amid the staging of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa this year with TM hoping to capitalise on the popularity of England’s star-studded line-up among Malaysian football enthusiasts, by featuring player images on their products as well as carrying out other promotional activity related to the England team during the

6-week competition, which kicks-off on June 11.

Manchester United, which is also Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s favourite English club, will now recognise TM as the official “Integrated Telecommunications Partner” of Manchester United in Malaysia.

The partnership will bring online content to both Manchester United supporters and TM customers, as well as giving fans the chance to win trips to Old Trafford to watch the team play.

“Our commercial strategy continues to deliver exciting new opportunities. We know that this partnership will help the Club to speak to the millions of fans we have in Malaysia and we are delighted that Telekom Malaysia has developed from the sponsor of our tour match into a fully-fledged partner. We look forward to working with them,” club chief executive David Gill said in remarks published at its website.

Malaysia’s dominant fixed-line company successfully sponsored the Manchester United Asia Tour 2009 which brought the Barclays Premier League champions to Kuala Lumpur for a match with a Malaysian selection last July 18.

The Jakarta hotel bomb blasts a few days before the team was due to arrive in the Indonesian capital prompted an unscheduled second friendly at the same Bukit Jalil National Stadium venue on July 20 which was sold out in football-crazy Malaysia.

“Over 40,000 attended our training session and another 40,000 came to the second match in Kuala Lumpur, despite only having 48 hours’ notice of the fixture,” Gill added.

Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson, who witnessed the signing, lauded the Malaysian fan base for the club after the deal was signed.

“The size of our fan base in Malaysia, and the affection they have for our club, is phenomenal. The statistic that almost 25 per cent of the Malaysian population support Manchester United is staggering, quite incredible,” he said.

The Manchester United Asia Tour 2009 cost TM about RM3.5million but was said to have helped the company generate more than RM20million in direct revenue from the sale of TM products and services.

Last week, TM announced the release of limited edition iTalk cards featuring the likes of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and John Terry. The iTalk cards are available in RM10, RM20, RM30 denominations.

It is understood that there are other spin-offs from the deal.

“Manchester United created a lot of enthusiasm for football when they came on tour last summer," said Datuk Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, the TM Group CEO, after the deal was signed.

“Over the course of this deal I would like to see some of the younger talents in Malaysia go to Manchester United to train and maybe the other way round.

“That will only help our country to progress,” he added -

WHAT'S NEXT MR PRESIDENT

This morning I called a couple of people and I was told that the financial arrangements for Harimau Muda to be in Slovakia was personally done by HRH Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah. I was also told that the finance committee approved the budget that was tabled by the secretariat. I have been in contact with a few high ranking officials of FAM who spoke the same language. The best thing for FAM to do is come open with expenditure and budget for the team in Slovakia.

Many people are saying there is a third party involved and many more rumours which could be true or false, but nevertheless it is best that FAM tells the public how much did this exercise cost.

I also wonder why NSC and Sports Ministry are keeping mum about this matter? Maybe they know something we don't, so NSC and Sports Ministry who have gone for their "Lawatan Sambil Belajar" can you enlighten us... Thank You ...

Read Harian Metro take here.


TIDAK jelas dengan kedudukan Harimau Muda A yang bersaing dalam Liga Satu Slovakia ketika ini, Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) Sultan Ahmad Shah mengarahkan Penolong Setiausaha Agung badan induk itu, Ahmad Fuad Daud menghadap hari ini.


Perjumpaan mengejut itu dibuat selepas Arena Metro semalam mendedahkan 14 perlawanan yang diharungi skuad bawah 21 tahun bimbingan jurulatih Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah itu sekadar perlawanan persahabatan dan tidak menawarkan mata kepada pihak lawan.

Maklumat itu diperoleh daripada Pengurus Komersil kelab Slovakia MFK Ruzomberok, Michal Mertinyak yang turut mendakwa FAM membayar segala perbelanjaan kepada semua kelab Slovakia yang terbabit dalam perlawanan persahabatan itu.

Apa yang dinyatakan Mertinyak itu berbeza dengan apa yang dimaklumkan FAM sebelum Harimau Muda A berangkat ke Slovakia pertengahan bulan lalu bahawa skuad negara mengharungi perlawanan kompetitif dengan menyertai Liga Satu Slovakia apabila menggantikan kelab ZP Sport Podbrezova yang menarik diri.

Menurut sumber, Ahmad Fuad dipanggil menghadap bagi mewakili Setiausaha Agung FAM, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad yang kini berada di Slovakia untuk menceritakan perkara sebenar kepada Tuanku.

“Saya difahamkan Presiden (Sultan Ahmad Shah) meminta Datuk Azzuddin datang menghadap untuk menjelaskan perkara sebenar berhubung status pasukan Harimau Muda A kepada baginda yang terkejut apabila mengetahui FAM kena bayar kepada pihak lawan untuk mengadakan 14 perlawanan di Slovakia.

“Malah Sultan juga tidak tahu perlawanan yang membabitkan Harimau Muda A tidak menawarkan mata kepada pihak lawan,” kata sumber itu.

Ahmad Fuad yang dihubungi mengesahkan beliau akan menghadap Sultan Ahmad Shah hari ini.

“Memang benar saya akan menghadap Tuanku untuk menjelaskan isu Harimau Muda A esok (hari ini),” jawabnya ringkas.

Sementara itu, Azzuddin sekadar memberitahu: “Saya sibuk” dan terus mematikan telefon bimbit ketika diminta mengulas lanjut mengenai isu berkenaan.

Sebelum itu, menerusi khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS), beliau tidak menjawab dakwaan Mertinyak itu, sebaliknya hanya menganggap program mereka untuk mendapatkan perlawanan bagi Harimau Muda A berjaya.

“Tidak ada apa yang percuma dalam dunia ini, saya sudah maklumkan sebelum ini kami membayar yuran penyertaan sama seperti pasukan lain yang menyertai liga itu dan apa pihak penganjur liga itu mahu buat dengan duit itu, bukan urusan kami.

“Apa yang penting Harimau Muda A dapat bermain dengan pasukan Liga Satu Slovakia. Pasukan negara mendapat saingan kompetitif, pendedahan serta pengalaman yang mereka dapat tidak boleh dibeli. Tidak ada negara Eropah lain yang mahu pasukan dari negara menduduki ranking ke-146 dunia beraksi dalam liga mereka.

“Kita sepatutnya berterima kasih kepada Persatuan Bola Sepak Slovakia. Beberapa kelab juga menawarkan tempat untuk pemain negara. FAM perlu melakukan sesuatu meningkatkan pasukan ini kerana Harimau Muda A akan mempertahankan emas di Sukan Sea 2011,” katanya.

HONESTY & INTEGRITY.. THATS ALL WE NEED

My sincere apologies for not updating my blog, I have been quite busy with the prayers for my late grandfather.

Harian Metro published a story today about "Raja Lawak Di Slovakia" Read here . Indeed it is an interesting piece. I was told FAM executive committee was briefed and the finance committee agreed on the budget that was presented by the team and secretariat. I am also certain that the National Sports Council and Ministry of Sports gave their blessings for this project. Can NSC , Ministry of Sports and FAM tell the public what is the actual cost of this exercise.

UNGKAPAN ‘Tipah Tertipu Lagi’ sesuai ditujukan kepada skuad Harimau Muda A. Sama ada disedari atau tidak jurulatih atau pemain skuad bawah 21 tahun itu sebenarnya ‘dikenakan’ majikan sendiri iaitu Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) dengan misi ke Slovakia.

Saingan kompetitif Liga Satu Slovakia yang dibangga-banggakan FAM serta peminat bola sepak tempatan sebenarnya palsu semata-mata.

Sebaliknya dua perlawanan diharungi Harimau Muda A setakat ini termasuk baki 12 perlawanan lagi bukannya perlawanan liga tetapi sekadar perlawanan persahabatan. Perkara ini terbongkar apabila Pengurus Komersil kelab Slovakia MFK Ruzomberok, Michal Mertinyak mengesahkan bahawa perlawanan antara kelabnya dengan Harimau Muda A Sabtu lalu adalah perlawanan persahabatan yang tidak memberi sebarang mata dalam liga sekali gus bercanggah dengan apa yang dijelaskan FAM kepada pihak media tempatan sebelum ini.

“Perlawanan Malaysia U21 (Harimau Muda A) dengan MFK Ruzomberok B hanyalah perlawanan persahabatan jadi MFK Ruzomberok B tidak mendapat mata dari perlawanan itu,” jelasnya ringkas menerusi kiriman e-mel semalam.

Kenyataan ini dilihat tidak boleh disangkal memandangkan nama Harimau Muda A yang beraksi menggantikan kelab ZP Sport Podbrezova bagi menghabiskan baki 14 perlawanan kelab itu yang menarik diri, masih tiada dalam senarai kedudukan terkini liga di laman web rasmi Persatuan Bola Sepak Slovak (SFZ) serta dalam laman web pasukan lain yang bertanding.

Ini membuktikan pemergian Harimau Muda A sebenarnya bukan atas tiket menyertai liga itu tetapi sekadar mengisi kekosongan masa pasukan yang tidak beraksi kerana penarikan diri ZP Sport Podbrezova.

Sedangkan apa yang dikhabarkan Setiausaha Agung FAM, Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad sebelum ini bahawa lawan pasukan negara akan mendapat mata pada setiap perlawanan ‘kompetitif’ di kaca mata badan induk bola sepak tanah air itu.

Malah lebih mengejutkan, FAM tidak keberatan melabur sejumlah wang yang besar apabila membayar semua perbelanjaan kelab Slovakia bagi setiap perlawanan persahabatan itu.

Sedangkan Azzuddin sebelum ini mengeluarkan kenyataan bahawa FAM bukan bodoh menanggung perbelanjaan pasukan yang akan bertemu dengan Harimau Muda A sepanjang lebih tiga bulan berada di sana.

“Maklumat yang saya terima, Malaysia (FAM) membayar perbelanjaan kelab-kelab Slovakia yang terbabit dalam perlawanan persahabatan itu. Saya tidak mendapat maklumat terperinci mengenai jumlah bayaran yang dikenakan kerana perjanjian itu diuruskan Kesatuan Kelab-Kelab Liga Slovakia (ULK),” katanya.

Harimau Muda A berpangkalan di Vion, Slovakia, sejak 21 Februari lalu dan mengharungi perlawanan ‘liga’ pertama dengan Sala yang berkesudahan memihak kepada pasukan lawan 4-1 dan kemudian tumpas 2-0 di tangan MFK Ruzomberok B Sabtu lalu.

Skuad itu yang menjuarai Liga Perdana musim lalu dihantar ke Slovakia selepas mereka diibaratkan oleh Azraai seperti merempat di bumi sendiri kerana tidak dibenarkan beraksi dalam Liga Super musim ini.