PAY UP LAH

Volunteerism is probably an alien word to some quarters of a particular national sports body.

But on the other hand many an official are virtually forced to cough up hard earn cash to serve they love.

Two contrasting scenarios but from a similar sport is indeed baffling but the stark reality is that it's the truth and I intend to tell it how it is.

The Malaysian Junior Hockey League was held from January till March and many of the officials who served as umpires/technical officials have yet to receive their dues.

Four months after completing their tasks diligently and efficiently, these officials face a Hari Raya without being reimbursed.

And more ironic is the fact that teams who were to be paid subsidies have yet to receive their money.

And here is the shocking part - the sponsors have paid their commitment to the national body in March itself.

Imagine that some people within the national body receive monthly allowances for what used to be volunteer work by the likes of the late S. Satgunam, S. Preamp alam, S. Jahendran and many more before them.

It will be easy to say that this is an inherited problem and blame the outgoing committee, but get the priorities right.

It is pointless saying that things will change and time is needed when small boys resort to childish ways to resolve issues that are perhaps to manly for some.

Do the right thing by paying all these officials their dues and not let them suffer in silence as others reap the benefits of being on the bandwagon.

Reading the truth hurts but then again as one keeps repeating - I do not care what the blog writes, could well haunt you. For this bloggers has seen many such arrogant officials come and go.

MALAYSIAN WOMEN DENIED EXPOSURE

In what can only be deemed as a wasted opportunity, the Malaysian women's hockey team refused the chance to play in the Semi Finals of the World Hockey League.

Azerbaijan had failed to turn up in Belgium and FIH offered the spot to Malaysia who turned it down citing lack of time and preparation.

And France instead took over the chance by sending their team.

Who made the decision for Malaysia as some members of the Executive Board have no knowledge of the invite.

And more importantly no circular resolution was sent to the members of the EB or a public explanation given as to why a team was not sent.

Was it a decision made by Neelam Pari? For others were not aware of the invite nor consulted.

The CEO should come clean on this matter and clarify if the NSC was consulted as they normally finance the participation.

The irony is Malaysia played in Round Two of the World League in Delhi and lost out following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Poland.

The team has just returned from the Sea Games thus preparation should not be cited as an excuse.

And by merely turning down the invite Malaysia wasted a chance to collect ranking points.

NSC Director Dato Ahmad Shapawi Ismail expressed his shock and dismay at what MHC had done.

"I am not aware of the invite and for sure we would have grabbed the chance to send our team there," said Shapawi.

"I will seek an explanation from MHC but am shocked we let pass a wonderful chance to give our players vital exposure."

It is hoped the MHC will shed light on what happened and why the team let slip a golden chance of exposure.

Citing late notice is not a proper excuse especially when partners such as NSC are not consulted.

KUMAR EXPRESSES GRATITUDE

This is a message from Malaysian Hockey keeper S.Kumar.

Dear official n players.. 

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for the support throughout my tough time n  allowed me to pay the last respect for my son.. Unfortunately it's really sad that  I can't be with u guys for this most important  qualifier in my life. But i believe that  you guys wil deliver the best n qualify for Rio Olympics..good luck n all the best for the tournament..my heart n prayers wil always with u guys..

WILL MALAYSIA MAKE IT TO RIO?

Malaysia open their campaign for a place in the 2016 Rio Olympics with a match against China.

Placed in a group that comprises of Ireland, Great Britain, China and Belgium, the first four matches are of academic interest.

Malaysia need to finish amongst the top four in order to make the last eight and there is where the battle starts.

Actually it is only 60 minutes that seperates Malaysia from making a return to the Olympics after a hiatus of 16 years as they last played at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Malaysia need to avoid finishing fourth in their group so that they will avoid a potential exit as meeting Australia could derail their chances.

Thus it's imperative to defeat China and Ireland, their two opponents in the first two matches.

With the withdrawal of keeper S. Kumar, it will make the task all the more tougher for Tai Beng Hai.

Beng Hai underwent a personal tragedy just before the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers at Invercargil when he had to return to Malaysia following the passing of his father in Taiping.

The stats favour Malaysia as the two teams have played 43 times, with Malaysia having won  29, drawing 6, lost 8, scored 112, conceded 57    Last meeting Malaysia won 7-3  2014  Test Match.

At the Asian Games in Korea last September, Malaysia won 3-1.

China team manager Yang Liu said they too are looking for a winning start.

“Our aim is to defy the ranking. We know that an almost impossible task awaits us. But we would like to think that some upset is possible…maybe a win or two,” he said at the K.H.C Dragon stadium.

While China spent almost a month in Europe, Malaysia were contend training at home as they only played matches against the Dutch U21 side and the Belgium reserves in May.

And for final preparations Malaysia played Brazil, hardly an ideal preparation for a major task.

Just how we fare will be determined on July 1 when the quarterfinals are held. 

But making it to the last eight should be no problem for a team that has been kept together since a year ago.

TEARS IN HEAVEN FOR HAARSHENN

Excuse the typos as done at 6am on my phone as I undergo dialysis and will only get a laptop later tonight

Penning down a few words in tribute of a friend who lost his 3 year old child is extremely hard to do.

Thus I looked towards music for something to provide me a form of inspiration and it was Eric Claptons "Tears in Heaven" that gave me strength to write something for S. Kumar who returns from Belgium to do the final rites for his beloved son Haarshenn,  taken away at such a tender age.

I am certain that there will not be a single dry eye be it at the home of Kumar or the crematorium as we come to terms of just how cruel life can be.

It was in 2010 that Kumar's wife delivered their first son in Malacca and I visited the wife and newly born with Dato Dr. Ramlan Abdul Aziz.

Kumar was at that time at the Asian Games as he put the nations interest first over family, something he has often done.

Even when his father died in 2010, Kumar was keeping goal for Malaysia at the Delhi Commonwralth Games.

Family always came first for Kumar as he often made his way back to his hometown in Tampin whenever opportunity presented itself.

Making sacrifices for the nation was a ritual for Kumar who was voted Asia's best in 2010 and won numerous awards as best goalkeepers in many an international tournament.

His dream has always been to play in the Okympics and now the burden of fulfilling that dream falls on the shoulders of his team mates in Belgium.

Many a time Kumar had played saviour to Malaysian hockey, throwing his body across the goal for the honour of Malaysia.

 

We cannot bring back what had been taken away by God, but we can jointly pray that Tai Beng Hai and his motley crew will earn the berth to Rio, thus in a way soothing some of the pain that Kumar is undergoing.

No father should undergo what Kumar is going through and we need to stand by him in this trying time.

 

Rest in peace Haarshenn, knowing well that your father will miss you a lot.

And together we pray that God will give strength to Kumar to overcome this test in life.

BREAKING NEWS

Update - Funeral on Friday and Kumar arrives on Friday morning at 8am. 

Malaysian hockey keeper S .Kumar is flying back from the Olympic Qualifiers following the death of his youngest son this morning at the KL General Hospital.

The five year old son passed away from a blood infection and funeral arrangements are being made.

Kumar lost his father during the 2010 Commonwralth Games in NEw Delhi and we extend our condolences to him and his family.

Kumar wilill arrive in KL at 8am on Thursday and the funeral will be held in Kl later that dhway.

" He was admitted in hop spiral for a day and had high fever and suffered bouts of vomiting, " said Kumar.

"This is shocking and I will not be going back to Belgium as my family needs me.

"We hope to know the cause of death after the post northern  and really I am in no position to talk.

EMPOWERING CLUBS

The time has come for the formation of a National Association of Clubs for hockey.

With the MHC Competitions Committee opening the gates by appointing individuals from the clubs that play in the Malaysian Hockey League, perhaps the timing is perfect for the formation of such a body.

The FAM had initiated such a move in 2006 when they amended their constitution, but it failed to materialise as the states were wary of giving any leverage to clubs.

The whole concept of giving clubs some say in what direction hockey is headed is noble but some form of control on their inclusion has to be made, for they could usurp the powers of state affiliates and also the numbers factor must be taken into consideration.

At present there are only 6 clubs in the MHL but at the same time there are several more in the Division One as well as the Women's League.

Thus the clubs should get together and form a body called the national association of clubs.

Membership will be exclusive to clubs participating in the MHL, Division One and Women's League.

And the National Association of clubs will then be accorded the rights of an affiliate, including voting at the elections as well as be allowed to sit in various sub committees.

This will give clubs some legitimacy in providing fresh impetus towards the progress of the sport.

Football is state based and hence it failed to make changes it needed but hockey should set the tone towards clubs to be given proper autonomy.

But does MHC have what it takes to initiate change?

A SHADOw SUB COMMITTEE LIST

Having gone through the list of members of the various sub committees of MHC and taking into account the views of several former office bearers of MHC as well as former players, this blog comes up with a shadow list which could have been considered by the respective Chairpersons.

Amongst the basic principlea adopted in order to reflect proper governance and effectiveness, the following were adhered to :

1. Since no governing council, therefore affiliates involvement is based on zonal such as north zone; central zone; south zone; east coast zone with Sabah and Sarawak. Total 6 Affiliates to be included into key sub committee to chart the policies, activities and communication between federal and state are effectively done.

2. Members appointed based on his/her hockey knowledge and qualification including experience.

3. Term of reference and KPI"s must be given to the respective chairman's as to assist him /her to select the relevant members in order to facilitate the effective as of programs to be undertaken.

Coaching committee
M. Mahendran
Colin sta Maria
Yang Siow Meng
Wallace Tan
Lum Sau Fong
6 Affiliates from Zonal basis

Competitions
Dato Vijaynathen ( advisor)
Dato Marina Chin - KPM
6 Zonal Affiliates
2 reps from National Association of clubs ( formed by teams in MHL)

Development 
Pengarah Bahagian Pembanguna. from NSC
6 State Development Officers from 1MAS on rotational basis
6 Zonal Affiliates
ISN rep
KPM rep

Lim Chiow Chuan

Finance
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes
Tan Sri Shahril (Sapura)
Dato Azman (TNB)
Dato KT Rajan 
Tan Sti Mustapha Mansur (FMM)

Medical
Dr Calvin Frrnandez
S. Nishel Kumar

Dr SS Cheema

Dr. Anuar Suun

Umpiring
6 Zonal Affiliates
3 Retired International Umpires

High Performance

Dato Wira Mazlan Ahmad
Prof Rabinderjeet Singh USM
Dato Dr Ramlan
Rizal Razman (UM Sports Science)
3 Former International - S. Sivabalan 

S.Suriagandhi Maninderjit Singh all who (played hockey at the highest level)

Indoor
6 Zonal Affiliates
Rodzhanizam Mat Radzi
Rep from KPM Nsc n ISN

Legal
Anand Ponnudurai
T Devendra

Oomen Koshy

S. Indran

Media
Johnson Fernandez
Dato Fauzi Omar
Peter Martinez

Tony Mariadass

National Team Mgt
K Balasingam
Ahmad Fadzil (GK expert)
MA Sambu
Arrifin Ghani
I. Vikneswaran
Invitation - team managers n coaches of all national teams

Hockey 5s
Devalela
6 Zonal Affiliates

Yahya Atan
Rep from KPM

COMMITTEES OR CRONIES?

With the national sports complex set to undergo major renovations, perhaps the timing could not have been so perfect.

As the list of sub committees was released, it does not have to take someone with a genius mind to figure out things.

For several individuals appear in more then one committee, so much so that they will be shuttling to Bukit Jalil attending meetings, thus what they will deem as giving up their life for hockey.

And if one is to look further into the appointments, there are three individuals who appear everywhere, which leads one to believe that it's a conspiracy to ensure the control of MHC by certain parties.

The composition of the committees is poor to say the least and it is more of recycling the same people all over.

It seems that Malaysia has a lack of talented women as some of those appointed appear in as many as 3 committees.

And another ironic issue is the appointing of the Deputy President 1 to sit in committees like 5 a side. Why on earth should a number 2 want to be a mere member in another sub committee.

The inclusion of club representatives into the competitionscommittee is another error as clubs cannot dictate things for states which are affiliates. This should have been handled better and the one major decision they have made this far is already receiving flak.

The Competitions Committee decided that the national juniors not play as a team in the MHL and the team officials are blaming MHC for their lack of preparation and exposure. This is what we keep harping on - conflict of interest.

As for High Performance, we need experts in the sport to come out with ideas to take the sport to a new level and I do not see that about to happen here.

And the MHC President had so loudly trumpeted the importance of KPI for these committees. So why are the KPI not released to the public?

The whole idea of KPI is to ensure certain standards are achieved and one appoints members based on the needs and abilities. But here it is a case of putting the cart before the horse.

We are also appealed by the lack of inclusion of capable ex officials and internationals in the committees and will come up with a list of those who should have been there.

MALAYSIA AT SEA IN JUNIOR HOCKEY

Wining the gold medal at the Se a Games has brought mixed reactions.

I can only sum it up in one single phrase - in the kingdom of the blind the one with one eye rules.

There was never an iota of doubt that Malaysia will win the gold medal in both the men's and women's competition on Singapore.

Fair enough we sent a junior side for the men's competition and the team received flak for struggling in the final against Singapore.

But let's get real here - beating Singapore via shoot out is a pathetic performance to say the least.

Before more get on the defensive saying that they are Under 20 players, consider the facts.

The Malaysian team has been kept together since April 2014 and train full time.

On top of that the team had several training tours, even to Australia and played in the Sultan of Johor Cup last year.

The players have played in the MHL for several top clubs over the past year and that is a reason attributed for not fielding a team in the MHL last year and also this year ( but we all know the real reason is due to fact officials have their own contracts with clubs).

Against Singapore in the final, Malaysia had 10 penalty corners and scored one as the second was a muffed up set piece that ended up as a goal.

But does one realise that players were sent to Holland to train in the execution of penalty corners? And one out of 10 simply means money wasted as Kuhan with his fat belly could have trained these players in our backyard.

And what about field goals? If one was to recollect at a post match press conference in the SOJC, the coach and manager so proudly declared that the manager, one of the nations top strikers in the past, will start showing the finer points of goal scoring to the strikers. Obviously that was just one of the dramas we have been accustomed to.

Winning gold was not the answer as the performance was more important and the team failed to impress. Period.

And with the SOJC in October, and the Junior Asia Cup in November, questions need to be asked on the state of preparation of the team.

The entire preparation is in shambles and if the team does not finish at least 3rd at SOJC and make the final of the Junior Asia Cup, one would expect the coach and manager to walk the plank, in simple language resign and let others rescue the team.

And what about the women's team? They played without direction despite training 365 days a year.

Once again MHC is at fault as no changes to the coaching structure has been made for 4 years despite alarm bells ringing.

And once again before getting defensive, why is there no national juniors women's hockey team formed?

Is it because Neelam Pari does not have a coach she can control?

Enough is enough, do not claim success by winning gold at SEA games as out states used to trash Singapore at the Razak Cup.

TRUST NO ONE

Kidney failure according to the Malays is a rich mans disease.

And I used to wonder why they said that until I was struck with kidney failure in April this year.

The fact of the matter is that you either get a transplant or resort to dialysis for the rest of your God given life to survive.

And mind you dialysis is an expensive affair as it costs around RM250 per session, and one needs 3 sessions a week meaning you are down RM3k a month before you think of anything else.

So how does a free lance writer like me survive?

There are two sides of the coin as in everything in life I guess.

Firstly I have suddenly lost many friends as the tendency is to stay away from a sick man. Some used to call me daily in the past but now days calls and messages go unanswered.

Then you have those who made use of me for their personal growth but now have never called to inquire on my health.

C
But help comes from unlikely sources and I must appreciate the assistance given by Dato Ow Soon Kooi who has helped secure a dialysis centre via a foundation and the players of the 1993 Junior World Cup squad Mike, Vicky, Nara, Jayamaran, Lam and coach Param who cheered me up. 

And a thanks to the SOJC organisers for settling a long overdue bill.

There are those who will say all kind of things to boost your spirit but when even simple help is requested like a lift to the dialysis centre, they come up with all kind of excuses.

So hitting the streets in search of a job is what I am doing right now. That is the only way to pay for dialysis as in reality talk is cheap as people have used me all their life.

I have gone through the mill and realised that I was merely a stepping stone for some to pursue posts and positions within society so as to be important in decision making process.

And then there are those who utilised friendship to benefit their businesses as they tend to stab you in the back.

Sincerity to me today is the most over prostituted term used by these so called Devils in disguise and I am wary of them already.

So as I head for my dialysis today, I shall await the MHC release their list of Sub Committees as there are RM5.1 million reasons why many have been left out.

And as the abuses go on in the sport I shall continue to expose them as long as the dialysis keeps going on.

REWARDING CRONIES - PART 9 UNTOLD STORIES

Choosing the right people for the right job is what will make the naming of the members of the various Sub-Committees of MHC very interesting this Saturday, the day when the list is to be unveiled.

While the Chairmans were unveiled last Saturday after the EB meeting, they were given a week to come up with names of the members.

While the selection of Chairman was done without much thought, be shell- shocked when the members list is released.

There is a Chinese saying, "when choosing a fish check if the head is rotten" for that's an indication that the flesh is no good.

And with almost all the EB members having vested interests by holding positions at state levels, it is expected that they will appoint virtual yes men to sit in their committees.

Discard the fact that what is more important is the generating of ideas to start improving the sport, for more important is pleasing the top brass of MHC by picking people who will be "publi" candidates - popular but have not done anything for the sport except for making noise rather then contribute effectively.

And while I applaud the decision of FIFA President to quit his post, I keep asking " MHC President Bila Lagi" and any person who does not lead by example is not a fit and proper leader.

From what has been gathered, several persons who have been approached to sit in these committees are those who have vested interest, either still active as players, coaches and more damaging and some being offered places in several sub committees.

 

The fundamental rule should be no person to sit in more then one committee, no person gainfully employed by MHC or its bodies, no serving self interests and no two persons from same state in the same sub- committee.

It will be pertinent to note that there is no constitutional requirement that forces Chairmans from picking their members from states but with the Governing Council removed, frankly what role have the states to play?

Let's see just how many use this opportunity to consolidate their positions as its time to reward cronies.

And interesting with one state having so much influence, just how will Gundu Mama worm his way into some of the committees.

THE USERS - PART 9 UNTOLD STORIES

Prior to the MHC elections on May 13, I must say that my phone lines were busy as candidates sought assistance in their quest for positions.

That was almost the same period that I had to overcome depression as I had lost my kidneys and had to resort to dialysis to stay alive.

But while some knew, many were unawares of my medical condition, not even close media friends.

It was trough the help of some individuals that I went through the initial weeks as they ferried me to the dialysis centres and brought me food.

There were a lot of promises made by these candidates to me but I know better as I have been in this sport for 33 years and knew who would use and abuse me after the elections were over.

While I was willing to stick my neck out for some of them, I told those on their face why I just could not support their cause.

I was time and again warned that I will be used and left to fend for myself but I felt that some of the candidates would have mercy on my medical condition and help me go through this difficult phase of life.

But these are no ordinary people as they are akin to academy award winners as they are such good actors.

But over the past few weeks they have showed their true colours and the word "backyard" comes to mind as they have a common watering hold where decisions are made.

Thus it was no coincidence that I actually puked when the Chairmans of various Sub Committees were named.

Cos it has always been a conspiracy from hell as decisions were made over a glass of the unholy spirit, something true to the tradition of the hockey fraternity of late.

The fact remains that you have to be from a particular state of have a shallow knowledge of hockey in order to be within the set - up.

God help these backstabbers and at least my blood is cleaner then yours.