Sunday, June 13, 2010

World Cup Football Activities at the Olympic Sports Hotel



World Cup Football fever has hit the World and Malaysia is no exception. In keeping with the hype, the Olympic Sports Hotel, located in Wisma OCM, home of the Olympic Council of Malaysia has set up a FIFA World Cup exhibition of photographs, souvenirs, mementos and memorabilia of past FIFA World Cup Championships and some exciting activities at the Olympic Coffee House, for sports fans in general and Football enthusiasts in particular.

Mr. Ow Soon Kooi, Chairman of Olympic Sports Hotel, who himself is a two time Olympian, having represented Malaysia at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games and the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games, had taken great pains and efforts to create a very attractive ambience to commemorate the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Members of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and other sports and Football fans are most welcomed to visit the Olympic Sports Hotel South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup exhibition and watch the 2010 World Cup matches live on a big screen located at the Coffee House of the Olympic Sports Hotel, in a truly FIFA World Cup environment.

Photos:


“Football is Life” poster signed by Joao Havelange, FIFA President 1974 to 1998.


View of the part of the Olympic Sports Hotel Coffee House, where fans can watch the live matches with France 1998 FIFA World Cup posters on the wall.


Souvenirs, mementos and memorabilia of South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup


Posters of Dunga with the World Cup in 1994 and framed Brazilian Jersey signed by him. Dunga is the present Coach of the Brazilian Team.


Brazilian Jersey signed by Ronaldo, striker of the Brazilian national team, which won the 1994 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup, he became the highest goal scorer in the history of the World Cup with his fifteenth goal, surpassing Gerd Muller’s previous record of 14.


Autographed jersey of Roberto Carlos, fullback of the Brazilian national team. He is a member of the Brazilian team which won the 2002 FIFA World Cup.


Posters of the German national team of the Mexico 1970 FIFA World Cup and showcase of , souvenirs, mementos and memorabilia.


Poster and jersey of Brazilian national team, winner of the 1994 FIFA World Cup.


Autographed jersey of Ossie Ardiles, mid fielder of the Argentinian national team, which won the 1978 FIFA World Cup. The small photograph shows Y.Bhg. Dato’ Zainal Abidin with Ossie Ardiles.


Autographed jersey and boots of Oliver Khan, goalkeeper of the German national team, which finished in second place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Kahn won the Lev Yashin Award for the best goalkeeper of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and became the first goalkeeper in history to win the Golden Ball for the best individual performance.


Autographed jersey of Franz Beckenbauer, nick-name Der Kaiser, libero of the German national Team. Captain of the German that won the World Cup in 1974 and manager of the German team that won the FIFA World Cup in 1990.


Posters of France 1998 FIFA World Cup.


Autographed jersey of Jurgen Klinsman, striker of the German National team, which won the FIFA World Cup in 1990. He was the Manager of the German national team, which finished third in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.


Autographed jersey and boots of Gerd Muller, striker of the German national team, which won the FIFA World Cup in 1974.


Autographed jersey of members of the German national team.


Autographed jersey of Johan Neeskens, mid fielder of the Netherlands national team. He was a member of the Netherland team that finished as runner-up in the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cup.


Autographed boots and ball of Johan Neeskens, mid fielder of the Netherlands national team. He was a member of the Netherland team that finished as runner-up in the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cup.


Some souvenirs and of France 1998 FIFA World Cup


Some souvenirs and of Korea-Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup


Some souvenirs and of past FIFA World Cup


Posters of past FIFA World Cup.


Posters of Germany 2006 FIFA World Cup

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Recognise our past greats like Super Mokh


OF LATE we have been honouring many sportsmen and women for their contributions to the country. We also have not forgotten proponents of sports and many of them have their contributions recognised with various titles and other incentives.

What saddens me most is that the nation has forgotten the great contributions of the late Mokhtar Dahari or Super Mokh (pic) as he was aptly called in the world of football.

Mokhtar Dahari not only gave everything to football but also his life. Tragically he died when he was at his peak. He would have been a living legend had he been still alive today.

We must not forget the great contributions Mokhtar Dahari made. There were many greats from his era, but everyone will agree with me that Mokhtar Dahari was the greatest.

His knowledge of the game was total, and he gave everything to the game he loved. Whenever he played, be it for the state or the nation, he would give his all. His focus was total and his aim was to win. Nothing else.
This man was special. This man was total. This man was made for football.

I am shattered that he has not been recognised for his contributions and commitment to football, whether by his state or his nation.

It is as if he has been totally forgotten. Something must be done to recognise this great sportsman. Something tangible. Something that can inspire the sportsmen and women of today.

Stadium Bukit Jalil should be named after the prolific Super Mokh. It should be renamed Stadium Mokhtar Dahari. That is the ultimate honour the state and the country can give him. It also cannot be too late to bestow him with other awards.

I would also like to suggest a Hall of Fame for sportsmen and sportswomen of the nation. This is another way of recognising the contributions of sportsmen and women — past and present.

This will be a real boost to our sportsmen and women to perform well in all tournaments.