How Milo became the catalyst to sports development

The clarion call for sports in our country is “Malaysia Boleh” which, in a way, is synonymous with “Milo Boleh”.

And Milo, a fortified food drink from Nestle, has certainly made its mark in Malaysian sport. Probably most of us have gingerly lined up for the drink from a van or a container during our school’s sports day. And how we almost died of thirst when we don’t see the green-coloured van.

And Milo is certainly Nestle’s success story as it has transcended all boundaries to become a household name synonymous with children and sports in Malaysia.

Today, Nestle, a leading specialist in nutrition, health and wellness products, will be celebrating their 100th anniversary, a milestone which few companies in Malaysia can reach.

In retrospect, there’s always the Milo presence in any sports in our country. And then came the “Malaysia Boleh” slogan which was formulated by Milo in 1992.

Familiar sight: Children lining up to get a drink from the Milo van which visits schools on sports day.

 

It was coined after a brain-storming session between former Nestle sports marketing manager Datuk Dina Rizal and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).

Dina, who has been with the company for 30 years and who retired in 2003, fondly said reminiscently: “In 1992, former Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah asked us to look at ways to encourage and support the Malaysian athletes during overseas competitions like the SEA Games. So after a brain-storming session, we came up with several slogans.

“At the end we selected “Malaysia Boleh”. It was to be launched for the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore. It involved getting signatures and messages of support from people of all walks of life – from the King to the common people. It proved to be a massive success with more than 1.5 million signatures collected.

“In 1998, for the Commonwealth Games which was held here in Kuala Lumpur, we managed to get a record five million people involved. I am sure it is still in the Guinness Book of Records.”

Schools, districts, states and even national level sports have Milo either as sponsors or partners in their development programmes. Many of today’s top athletes like bowler Shalin Zulkifli, world squash champion Datuk Nicol David and Ong Beng Hee and the swimming contingent have taken part in Milo events before bursting into the national scene.

So, what has made Nestle’s Milo such a popular brand and how did they reach out to the masses, especially the kids?
It was first introduced in 1950 and their early catch phrase was “It’s Marvellous What MILO Can Do For You” and then it evolved into “MILO Brings Out The Champion In You” in 2000. Currently, it is just two words – “Go Further” .

They have certainly gone further to walk the talk in helping, motivating and supporting sports in our country.
Ng Ping Loong, who took over from Dina, said that the success of the brand is also due to the policy in helping kids develop their skills in sports. Nestle’s commitment to the brand has never wavered and the policy to play a part in the development of sports is an ongoing process.

“We also believe that sports is a great way to bring people together and that there is a champion in every kid. The question is finding it and nurturing them to become one,” said Ping Loong.
Ping Loong said the hard work in promoting the Milo events has paid off.

“We are into almost all the development programmes in sports. And we plan to continue doing so. Nestle has a long-term interest and its 100 years in Malaysia is proof that we plan to stay much longer” he added.
Ping Loong wishes to invite readers to celebrate the 100th anniversary at Dataran Merdeka from 2pm to 10pm.

OCM secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, who has dealt with Milo over 40 years, said there is no question about Milo’s ability to sustain their partnership in sports.

“I was the secretary of the Selangor Swimming Association in 1971 when I first dealt with them.
“And until today, we find that Milo has remain faithful to the sports development programmes.”

Former National Olympian Nashatar's Health Improves

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 (Bernama) -- The health of former national Olympian Datuk Nashatar Singh has shown signs of improvement after he was warded for a week at the Kuala Lumpur Gleaneagles Hospital.

The 73-year-old who went to the Olympics for two games, suffered back and nerve pains and needs a wheelchair to move about.

Currently, he is undergoing special physiotherapy as part of rehabilitation.

"Maybe, in a few days, I could go home after finishing my physiotherapy," Nashatar was quoted as saying, in a statement issued by the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb).

Among his greatest achievements were two gold medals (javelin) in the 1965 SEAP Kuala Lumpur, one gold (javelin) in Asian Games in Bangkok (1966), six gold medals (javelin) from 1967 to 1975 in Sea Games and also gold medal in shot put (1967).

Can Malaysia emulate 1966 feat of an All-England double?

BIRMINGHAM: Can Malaysia dare to dream of a double in the 114th edition of the All-England badminton championships?

Today, the best of the best, including Malaysia’s main hopes Lee Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, get down to do battle in the first round at the National Indoor Arena here in Birmingham.

It is the perfect tournament for the players to get the mood and feel of the Olympic Games as England is in full swing with its massive preparations to host the Games in London from July 27-Aug 12.

Milestone: Tan Yee Khan (left) and Ng Boon Bee (right) won the doubles title while Tan Aik Huang lifted the singles at the All-England in 1966.

 

The Olympic qualification period ends on April 29 and, with time running out, expect both the medal hopefuls and pretenders to outdo themselves in pursuit of points and honours.

For Malaysia, it will be an Olympian boost if Chong Wei and Kien Keat-Boon Heong can emerge champions to end the country’s 46-year wait for the double, which Tan Aik Huang and Ng Boon Bee-Tan Yee Khan delivered in 1966.

Realistically though, only Chong Wei, going for a hat-trick of wins, has a chance. The defending champion has a good draw and is motivated to equal the late Wong Peng Soon’s extraordinary feat of winning the title for three consecutive years from 1950-1952.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games silver medallist, Chong Wei, who had two days to get used to the cold climate here, has vowed to sizzle.

“All the top players are here and the competition will be one of the toughest in recent times. It looks like a small Olympic Games competition,” he said.

Chong Wei, who won the South Korea and Malaysia Open earlier this year, will be mindful of the strong China presence.

In his half of the draw are Wang Zhengming, his first round opponent, and Du Pengyu, while Lin Dan, Chen Long and Chen Jin are in the bottom half. All of them will be eager to undermine Chong Wei’s confidence ahead of the Olympic Games.

It would be a perfect climax if Chong Wei meets Lin Dan in the final but Chen Long and Chen Jin will certainly have a say on that.

Both Chens may not have won any titles so far this year – with Chen Long suffering from an injury at the Korea Open and Chen Jin battling with inconsistency – but they will be eager to make a mark ahead of the Olympics.

Click on image to view larger chart.

 

As for the 2007 champions Kien Keat-Boon Heong, it could be all over today when they take on Japan’s second pair of Naoki Kawame-Shoji Sato in the opening round. Or they may prove the sceptics wrong and bulldoze their way to their third final. It all depends on how determined they are to show that they are still a force to be reckoned with in the men’s doubles.

They did well at the Thomas Cup qualifiers in Macau with a win over South Koreans Ko Sung-hyun-Yoo Yeon-seong last month, but many are still unconvinced that the duo have recaptured their form of old.
Said national doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her: “Koo and Tan have to be more consistent. There are positive signs in the way they carry themselves on court. It is this renewed determination, fire and improved tactical play that I want to see here.”

A win will be a tremendous boost as Kien Keat-Boon Heong have been searching in vain for a Super Series title since winning the 2010 Malaysia Open. It has been nothing but heartbreak ever since with misses in the finals of the 2010 World Championships, 2010 Asian Games and 2011 All-England.

The other Malaysian players here all face uphill tasks although Tee Jing Yi (women’s singles), Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui (women’s doubles) and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles) are expected to shore up their chances of qualifying for the Olympics.

Cycling - Historic moment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  FATEHAH Mustapa created history as the first Malaysian woman to be crowned Asian champion on a day that saw Malaysia regain their dominance of the keirin in the Asian Cycling Championships at the Kuala Lumpur Velodrome.

The final day of track events yesterday also saw Josiah Ng lead a one-two finish for Malaysia in the men's keirin final, when the 32-year-old finished ahead of compatriot Azizulhasni Awang.

   In the junior women's keirin final, rising star Ummi Hamimah Mohamad  wrapped up her second silver medal and finished her debut in the Asian meet with two silver medals and a bronze.

   The women's keirin was always going to see Fatehah needing to pull out something extra with China featuring two riders in Xu Yulei and Shi Jingjing, and Hong Kong's hot favourite Lee Wai Sze backed up by Diao Xiaojuan.

   "I just followed (head coach) John Beasley's instructions. I knew that I should not expand too much energy early on so that I could put everything into a final sprint," said Fatehah, 22.

   After the derny released the free-for-all, Fatehah played it calm, staying close to Wai Sze, who went full gas for the finish line with more than half a lap to go with the Malaysian staying tight on her rear wheel.

 As the race approached the final bend it seemed like the powerful Wai Sze had done enough to fend off Fatehah, but when they hit the home straight for the final dash the Malaysian found another gear and blasted past, sending a packed velodrome into ecstatic celebrations.

   Wai Sze was a spent force as she put everything into the chase and was overtaken by Yulei at the finish line. The Hong Kong star had to settle for bronze this time, after easily beating Fatehah in the 200m sprint final.

   Fatehah registered not just the country's first Asian Championships gold in a women's event, but her best personal achievement outside of the regional Sea Games.

   "It feels great to have this piece of history because I've never been able to win a gold medal at this level. The past few years were disappointing as I didn't even win a medal in the keirin, so this puts all of that behind me," said Fatehah.

   This performance had Beasley reminding Fatehah of the potential he has seen in her all along.

   "I've always said that she can win Olympic gold, so this is a great step for her. For her to win here must give her the confidence. Now, we'll look at the World Cup in London and the World Championships where I hope she will step it further," said Beasley.

   The home crowd were again sent into wild celebrations as Josiah led Azizul across the finish line after the duo worked their way around the Japanese pair of Yuddai Nitta and Kazunari Watanabe in the men's keirin final, with China's Zhang Lei surprisingly a non-entity throughout the race.

   Josiah registered his first Asian title, while Azizul, who was the centre of attention, wasn't disappointed with having to settle for his second silver medal after losing out to Watanabe in the 200m sprint final on Friday.

   Sportsman of the Year Azizul said he was still recovering his form and was happy with the outcome of this Asian Championships as he builds towards the World Championships in Melbourne in April and the London Olympics after that.

   "There's still a long way to go to get to my best form, but this was a good outing. I was feeling good here and there was no more problems with my injury," said Azizul.

  "This result shows we're dominating the keirin at this level again. Now we're looking at the World Cup and Olympics, where I hope to be at my best form."

   Ummi Hamimah again earned praise for her gritty performance in the junior women's keirin final, only just losing out to South Korea's Kim Sola, who she had also lost to in the 200m sprint final on Friday.

   "I feel more like I've lost two gold medals, rather than winning two silver medals. Today (yesterday) I left it till too late to make my move and lost out on the gold medal which I wanted so badly," said Ummi Hamimah, 17.

   The national team ended the track campaign with three gold, six silver and six bronze medals. The road events begin in Putrajaya tomorrow.

Fatehah lakar sejarah berbasikal

Fatehah Mustapa meraikan kejayaan menjuarai keirin wanita pada Kejohanan Berbasikal Asia di Velodrom Kuala Lumpur, Cheras, semalam. - Bernama

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KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia bukan saja cemerlang menutup hari terakhir acara trek Kejohanan Berbasikal Asia (ACC) dengan menokok dua pingat emas, malah Fatehah Mustapa melakar sejarah sukan tanah air apabila muncul pelumba wanita pertama negara memenangi emas kejohanan itu.

Penantian Fatehah untuk bergelar juara Asia sejak 2008 akhirnya tercapai semalam selepas berjaya menjuarai acara keirin di Velodrom Kuala Lumpur, Cheras.

Fatehah membuktikan dia kini pelumba yang perlu diberi perhatian oleh pencabar serantau menjelang Sukan Olimpik 2012 London dengan kejayaan menjadi pelumba wanita Malaysia pertama meraih emas ACC sejak kejohanan diperkenalkan pada 1963.

Pelumba kelahiran Hulu Terengganu itu, mengenepikan pelumba sensasi Hong Kong, Lee Wai Sze yang menjadi pilihan utama untuk memenangi emas, namun sekadar berpuas hati dengan pingat gangsa, manakala perak milik pelumba China, Xu Yulei.

"Saya hanya ikut belakang dia (Wai Sze), menunggu dengan penuh sabar apabila tiba di selekoh terakhir dan apabila masanya tiba, saya mengerah segala kudrat yang ada untuk sampai di garisan penamat terlebih dahulu," kata Fatehah selepas tamat saingan.

Jelasnya, Wai Sze terpaksa bekerja sendirian untuk menghalang pelumba China dan ini membolehkannya menyimpan tenaga dengan hanya perlu bertindak selepas tiba masa yang sesuai.
Kemenangan ini turut menebus kekecewaan sekadar meraih perak dalam acara pecut dan gangsa ujian masa 500 meter sebelum ini.

"Saya puas hati sangat, pada masa yang sama tidak menyangka dapat meraih pingat emas, pingat ini saya hadiahkan kepada John (Beasley) dia banyak tolong saya selama ini. Jatuh bangun pelumba adalah di tangan jurulatih, apa yang dibuat semuanya adalah untuk saya.

"Pingat emas pertama ACC ini adalah rezeki yang bermakna buat saya, kenangan yang tidak akan dilupakan sampai bila-bila. Menjelang Siri Piala Dunia Klasik di London saya tidak boleh terlalu yakin, ramai pelumba lain yang hebat akan turun beraksi," katanya yang akan berangkat ke London hari ini.

Fatehah pernah meraih perak dalam acara keirin di ACC Nara, Jepun tiga tahun, diikuti di Kalimantan setahun kemudian.

Selepas mengambil bahagian dalam Siri Piala Dunia Klasik London, Fatehah akan terus mencari mata Olimpik pada Kejohanan Trek Dunia di Melbourne pada April depan dan melihat pada ranking keirin wanita terini, dia adalah pelumba kedua terbaik dunia di belakang Guo Shuang dari China.

Sementara itu, Josiah Ng melengkapkan kejuaraan berganda Malaysia dalam acara keirin selepas muncul juara lelaki, mengalahkan Mohd. Azizulhasni Awang.

‘Piala Thomas sejarah kita’

Cheah Soon Kit

KEKALAHAN di tangan Jepun pada 2010 cukup menyedihkan dan peristiwa itu seharusnya menjadi pengajaran berguna buat Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) namun apa yang mereka lakukan selain membuat kenyataan terdesak mengatakan Piala Thomas tidak penting.”
Kenyataan itu dibuat bekas pemain kebangsaan yang menjadi penentu kemenangan pasukan negara ketika menjulang Piala Thomas kali terakhir pada 1992, Cheah Soon Kit.

Soon Kit berkata, sebagai pemain badminton, mewakili negara dalam Piala Thomas cukup besar maknanya dan Setiausaha Kehormat BAM, Ng Chin Chai tidak sepatutnya membuat kenyataan bercanggah dengan semangat kenegaraan yang sudah lama dibina setiap kali pemain beraksi di Piala Thomas.
“Mengapa hanya satu kejohanan iaitu Olimpik menjadi sasaran BAM, sepatutnya Piala Thomas juga menjadi sasaran besar badan itu kerana perebutan trofi berpasukan inilah yang mengharumkan nama negara,” kata Soon Kit yang beraksi sebanyak lapan kali pada Piala Thomas, menjulang kejuaraan sekali pada 1992 dan berada dalam skuad naib juara sebanyak empat kali sejak 1986 hingga 2000.

“Sepatutnya tragedi 2010 membuatkan BAM bangkit dengan perancangan lebih baik. Ketika itu kita ada Datuk Lee Chong Wei dan Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, cuma perlukan satu dua lagi pemain untuk dibentuk sebagai pencabar yang kuat mengapa masih gagal.

“Saya tidak tahu mengapa beliau boleh cakap Piala Thomas tidak penting. Kalau benar tidak penting, lebih baik jangan hantar pemain ke Sukan Sea, Komanwel dan Asia. Begitu juga dengan Kejohanan Remaja Dunia, jangan hantar jika hanya Olimpik yang penting.

“Apa akan jadi apabila Chong Wei sudah tiada, apakah BAM akan katakan semua kejohanan tidak penting semata-mata kerana kita tiada peluang untuk menang?” Sebagai bekas pemain, Soon Kit, 44, amat kecewa dengan BAM yang dianggap tidak mempunyai perancangan rapi.

“Sepatutnya tragedi 2010 menjadi ‘wake up call’ buat BAM. Mereka kata perlu realistik dengan ketiadaan pemain ketika ini dan akan cuba untuk saingan 2014, tak logik langsung.

“Bagi saya kalau 2010 sudah teruk dan skuad kali ini dianggap lebih teruk, sudah tentu 2014 kita mati.” Soon Kit yang bergandingan dengan Soo Beng Kiang menjadi pemutus pemenang pada final 1992 ketika skuad negara menundukkan Indonesia 3-2 di Stadium Negara.

Sementara Razif Sidek yang turut berada dalam skuad 1992 berkata, memang mudah untuk Chin Chai berkata sesuka hatinya bak kata pepatah ‘lidah tidak bertulang’.

“Apa yang Chin Chai tahu mengenai Piala Thomas, beliau tidak pernah bermain di peringkat itu malah tidak pernah mewakili negara. Sebab itu beliau senang-senang saja nak kata Piala Thomas tidak penting,” kata Razif yang beraksi di kejohanan itu sebanyak lapan kali sejak 1980-1994.

“Cuba beritahu saya siapa yang tidak mahu mewakili negara dalam Piala Thomas, mana ada pemain yang tidak memasang angan-angan beraksi di pentas sehebat ini.

“Malah peminat sukan ini juga baik kecil mahupun dewasa pernah memasang angan-angan untuk bermain di Piala Thomas. Inilah pentas terbaik membawa nama negara.

“Kalau benar Olimpik mengatasi segala-galanya, mengapa BAM masih mahu menghantar pemain ke Seluruh England. Kita juga sudah ada gelaran kejohanan itu.”

Usah lupa sejarah

JANGAN terlalu mudah melupakan prestij Piala Thomas. Begitulah lebih kurang nada pengkritik sukan tanah air, Tan Sri Dr Prof Emeritus Khoo Kay Kim yang kecewa dengan pendirian Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) kerana menganggap Piala Thomas bukan lagi kejohanan penting untuk diburu pemain, sebaliknya kilauan emas di Sukan Olimpik menjadi keutamaan ketika ini.

Pendirian itu dianggapnya seolah-olah seperti melupakan sejarah lalu dan Kay Kim mengingatkan BAM, Piala Thomas tetap mempunyai prestij dan nostalgia tersendiri, terutama untuk skuad negara.

“Jangan lupa kita negara pertama berjaya memenangi Piala Thomas pada 1949 yang juga kemenangan antarabangsa pertama membabitkan skuad negara.

“Kemenangan itu mencetuskan impak besar ketika itu, antaranya orang ramai mula berminat untuk bermain badminton dan banyak gelanggang dibina di kawasan lapang. Impaknya masih kekal hingga kini apabila kita menjadi antara kuasa besar sukan badminton,” katanya.

Pasukan Badminton negara bersama Piala Thomas yang dimenangi mereka pada 1949.

Begitupun, Kay Kim tidak menafikan buruan pingat emas di Sukan Olimpik juga cukup penting untuk skuad negara kerana belum pernah ada pemain merangkul emas pada temasya sukan terbesar dunia itu.

“Bagi saya, kedua-duanya (Piala Thomas dan Sukan Olimpik) penting. Kita memang mengharapkan meraih emas pertama di Sukan Olimpik terutama menerusi (Datuk) Lee Chong Wei dan itulah juga menjadi sasaran negara lain yang bertanding pada temasya ini.

“Tetapi pada masa sama, kita tidak boleh melupakan saingan Piala Thomas sebab seperti yang saya katakan tadi, ia (Piala Thomas) mempunyai prestij tersendiri,” katanya.

Namun, beliau ternyata tidak dapat mengetepikan rasa bimbangnya apabila ditanya kemampuan barisan pemain negara yang bakal beraksi pada pusingan kelayakan Piala Thomas yang akan berlangsung di Macau dari 14 hingga 19 Februari ini.

“Selain Chong Wei, saya rasa kedudukan kita agak sukar kerana barisan pemain lain tidak konsisten,” katanya.

Setiausaha Kehormat BAM, Ng Chin Chai menerusi laporan Arena Metro semalam menyatakan, Piala Thomas tidak lagi penting untuk dicapai skuad negara, sebaliknya Malaysia ketika ini lebih fokus untuk meraih pingat emas di Sukan Olimpik.

Jelas Chin Chai, tujuan sebenar dengan menegaskan Piala Thomas tidak penting adalah kerana enggan memberikan tekanan kepada pemain.

Skuad negara berjaya menjulang Piala Thomas sebanyak lima kali dengan kali terakhir pada 1992.




View here: The STRAITS TIMES THOMAS CUP Souvenir - Malayan Badminton Team 1948-49