If I can't have it, neither can you."
The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs. Individually, the crabs could easily escape from the pot, but instead, they grab at each other in a useless "king of the hill" competition, which prevents any from escaping and ensures their collective demise.
The analogy with regards to humans is that a group will attempt to “pull down” any member who achieves success beyond others out of envy with conspiracy feelings.
That best describes the actions of certain officials in the Malaysian Hockey Confederation that objected to the appointment of Ravinderpal Singh as the Assistant Umpires Manager in the 8th Women Asia Cup that commences this weekend.
When Ravinderpal’s name was proposed at FIH Appointments Committee on June 7th, it was a Malaysian that objected to his appointment. Subsequently on June 30at the Malaysian Hockey Confederation Management Committee, another objection was raised.
But that too was rejected by HRH Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah who told the officials to get on with developing hockey and stop the petty arguments.
However at the Asian Hockey Federation Council meeting held on 1st September in Ipoh during the Asia Cup, ironically MHC Senior Vice President Prof Dr. S. Shamala raised an objection to Ravinderpal’s objection and this time it was accepted by AHF.
The question that begs to be answered is why Shamala, defied the MHC decision in June and showed disrespect to HRH Tengku Abdullah?
Double standards are definitely practiced as a check into the FIH website revealed that 90% of the umpires. Tournament Director’s, Technical Officials, Umpire’s Managers and Judges double up both as Indoor and outdoor officials.
Hence it is perplexing to note that officials within MHC conspire to deny Malaysians who are appointed to serve in international tournaments.
One look at the FIH appointments list will reveal that there are more Singaporeans in key positions then Malaysians and this too despite the fact that we host more international events then any other nation and have a far better team internationally then our neighbors.
The MHC must come down hard on the politicking and not allow this to continue. For now Ravinderpal keeps his appointment at the Women Asia Cup, but it has been made clear to him that he will no longer be considered for “dual” roles.
MALAYSIANS THAT HAVE SERVED IN DUAL CAPACITY ROLES
1. Jayadhevi Subramaniam - TO Indoor ASIA CUP 2012 Bangkok
- TO Outdoor ASIA Cup 2013 K.L.
2. Juriah Abd Wahab Fenner - TD Indoor ASIA Cup 2012 Bangkok
- TO ASIAN Challenge 2013 Bangkok
3. Mohd Azraai Zain - TD Indoor ASIA Cup 2012 Bangkok
- TO Outdoor Azlan Shah Cup 2009 Ipoh
4. Lingam K. - Outdoor / Indoor International Umpire
5. Annie Thomas - Outdoor / Indoor International Umpire
6. K. Kanaisan - Outdoor International Umpire
- Indoor ASIA Cup 2008 / 2010 Ipoh
7. Jaswant Singh - Outdoor International Umpire
- Indoor ASIA Cup 2008 / 2010 Ipoh
8. M. Thayalan - National Outdoor Umpire
- Indoor ASIA Cup 2009
9. Ravinderpal Singh - Appointed at National Outdoor UM by
MHCUC U-14, U-16, U-21
- Indoor Nat. Tournament as UM 2010, 2011
