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.

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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.