More needs to be done for our retired athletes

Filepic shows the Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak receiving a RM50,000 donation for the National Athletes Welfare Foundation from Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan in 2010. 

THE future seems bright if you’re not standing in a national athlete’s shoes.
But, the reality is, although I had some plans when I retired from badminton, they were daunting when it came time to act on them.

After the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as I stared into the face of retirement, I felt quite lost.
I wanted to turn pro and start a business but the process was challenging - at least from the onset.

As a successful badminton player, I knew my worth and my strengths, but as I left the courts and went out into the real world, it was a different ball game altogether.

It might still be manageable if one sticks to the sport or starts a business related to it. There is a slight advantage too if one is popular. Otherwise, it is a tough zone and quite intimidating too.
Fortunately, I had good advice from some seniors, friends and my supportive family.

After going through some hardships, my badminton centre and other businesses (owned with some partners) have picked up and are doing much better than I had expected.
I have been lucky.

Not all athletes successfully make that transition from sport to retirement. There seems to be a lack of proper direction and transition plans for athletes to fall back on after they call it a day.
A few things may have improved since I left but I believe we need something more concrete for our athletes when they retire.

After all, these athletes have served their country to the best of their abilities, sometimes even risking health and injury.

All national athletes are warriors although they fight in different war zones to keep the nation’s flag flying high. These athletes leave the scene - some earlier than others - for various reasons, but most of them give the same amount of hours in training and commitment.
Don’t these athletes deserve appreciation and benefits?

I have a few suggestions for the national sports associations (NSAs), National Sports Council and the government, to help athletes transition from their glory days to the reality of retirement.
A pension scheme involves big money and the details need to be sorted out, including how it would be distributed.

In Malaysia, Olympic Games medallists draw a monthly salary for life. That is great but what about the others?

Some athletes from non-Olympic sports like squash, karate and bowling have given up their childhood and teenage life and sacrificed their time and talent too in pursuit of sports excellence - are they less of an athlete?

I agree that a lot of thought needs to go into this pension proposal but I believe it is workable.
Even a small amount will go a long way for the athletes as they re-construct their lives outside the sports field.

I would also suggest that the NSAs or governement create options for studies, medical and insurance.
A lot of young players come into their chosen sports field with so much hope and dreams. Some make it but some don’t. And some walk out of the sports centre - without knowing what the future holds for them.

A structure could be put in place whereby an athlete gets to choose to further his college studies for free after his lifespan as an athlete is over. This option is a great way for the government to reward these athletes for their contributions.

The move would also give the athletes’ parents assurance that their children will not end up as dropouts if they do not excel in sports. It will encourage parents to motivate their children to choose sports as a career.

Athletes should also enjoy medical and insurance benefits even after they stop serving the nation. Most of the time, their insurance coverage is phased out when their sporting career fizzles out. I think, that is not right.

There is YAKEB (National Athletes Welfare Foundation) which looks into the athletes’ welfare. I appreciate what they do but their scope is still very limited.
It is my hope that the government or NSAs will show some appreciation for our national athletes beyond their glory days.

While this pension and retirement benefits would be a means to sustain them, the athletes themselves should not completely depend on them.

They should always strive harder for better opportunities.
Do not choke when life gets tough - that is not the hallmark of an athlete.
Many athletes like me have a fighting spirit which is cultivated from a young age. We have been taught to pick ourselves up when we fall.

We have also been taught to remain humble no matter how big a success is.
It is my hope that our athletes hold on to these teachings and showcase the right attitude as they continue with their life’s journey after retirement.

Former badminton singles player Wong Choong Hann won the gold medal at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, the silver at the 2003 Birmingham World Championships, and with the Malaysian team he bagged the silver at the Thomas Cup in Guangzhou in 2002 and Hong Kong in 1998.

 

 

Skuad hoki catat sejarah baharu

SKUAD hoki negara mencipta kejutan selepas menamatkan saingan Cabaran Juara-Juara 1 di tempat ketiga.

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SKUAD negara menutup tirai Kejohanan Hoki Cabaran Juara-Juara 1 di Kuantan, Pahang kelmarin dengan kejayaan tempat ketiga sekali gus memahat sejarah baharu arena hoki tanah air.
Sebelum ini, pencapaian terbaik skuad negara pada kejohanan tersebut ialah menduduki tempat keempat sebanyak dua kali iaitu di Quilmes, Argentina pada 2012 dan di laman sendiri pada edisi 2001 yang lalu.

Malah, skuad negara juga difahamkan telah melonjak satu anak tangga daripada ranking ke-13 kepada ranking ke-12 dunia ekoran kejayaan yang dilakarkan pada edisi Cabaran Juara-Juara 1 kali ini.

Menurut ketua jurulatih, Muhammad Dhaarma Raj Abdullah, sejarah baharu yang dilakarkan ini serta perubahan ranking dunia merupakan satu pencapaian yang sangat membanggakan.
“Tengku Abdullah (Sultan Ahmad Shah) iaitu Presiden Persekutuan Hoki Malaysia memberitahu saya bahawa jumlah pungutan mata kita telah membolehkan kita memintas kedudukan Afrika Selatan (pasukan di ranking ke-12 dunia).

“Mungkin belum rasmi tetapi daripada apa yang dititahkan Tengku Abdullah, jelas ia merupakan satu kebanggaan kepada negara.

“Skuad ini juga merupakan skuad negara yang pertama berjaya mendapat gangsa dalam mana-mana kejohanan anjuran FIH (Persekutuan Hoki Antarabangsa). Kejayaan ini adalah sejarah baharu kepada negara,” katanya ketika dihubungi Kosmo! semalam.

Bagaimanapun, Dhaarma Raj tidak terlepas untuk meluahkan kekecewaan sejurus menyaksikan skuad bimbingannya ‘terlepas’ tiket final gara-gara tewas kepada Kanada menerusi penentuan pukulan penalti pada aksi separuh akhir Sabtu lalu.

Menurutnya, skuad negara berpeluang mara ke final dan boleh menewaskan Kanada berdasarkan kemampuan dan potensi sebenar setiap pemain.

“Bagi pandangan peribadi saya, saya memang kecewa gagal ke final. Kita sudah berjaya menewaskan New Zealand (ranking keenam dunia) dan laluan sudah terbuka luas untuk sekurang-kurangnya menjadi naib juara ataupun juara.

“Saya tidak kata Kanada pasukan yang lemah tetapi berdasarkan kemampuan kita, kita boleh kalahkan Kanada. Tiada kesilapan mana-mana pemain kerana kita adalah pasukan yang jauh lebih baik.

“Kita patut memenangi perlawanan tersebut (menentang Kanada) dan banyak peluang yang diperoleh. Saya rasa jika kita sempurnakannya, situasi itu akan berubah (penentuan pukulan penalti).
“Apa pun, tempat ketiga yang diraih pada kali ini adalah satu sejarah baharu dalam sukan hoki negara. Saya harap semua pemain dapat memperbaiki kelemahan masing-masing jika kita berhasrat meraih emas pada Sukan Asia nanti,” jelasnya.

Berakhirnya Cabaran Juara-Juara 1, skuad negara akan mengharungi tiga lagi kejohanan utama pada tahun ini iaitu Piala Dunia di The Hague, Belanda (31 Mei ini), Sukan Komanwel di Glasgow, Scotland (Julai) dan Sukan Asia di Incheon, Korea Selatan pada September depan.

Footballing greats lament the state of national game

National footballing icons Santokh Singh (back row left) with Shukor Salleh (back row second from left) and Soh Chin Aun (back row right) were at the launch of the Milo Hidup Bola futsal tournament in KL on Tuesday. - BERNAMA

PETALING JAYA: Play for the pride of the country – and not the money!
That’s the view of former great Datuk Santokh Singh when asked about the declining standard of Malaysian football.

His scathing remarks certainly hold water as the national team continue to flounder on the international arena, with their world ranking now at a lowly 142 from a one-time high of No. 73 in the 1993.

This, he said, is shambolic considering that Malaysia used to be a powerhouse in Asia back in the 70s and 80s.

Malaysia’s latest debacle came on Sunday when they could only draw 0-0 with the Philippines in a friendly in Cebu.

For a nation who used to beat the likes of the mighty Japan, South Korea and Kuwait, to name a few, the draw with the Philippines, once the minnows in the region and where football is not even their No. 1 sport, is indeed a big blow.

And this has led the hugely disappointed Santokh questioning the players’ motivation.
The highly-decorated centreback was a member of the Malaysian squad who qualified for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.

He also played for the national team who bagged a bronze medal in the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran and captured the SEA Games gold medal in 1977 and 1979.

The Harimau Malaya last achieved glory in 2010 – winning the AFF Suzuki Cup for the first under coach Datuk K. Rajagopal.

“I hope that the national team’s standard will return to the level of the 70s and 80s – when the team was a powerhouse,” Santokh said after the launching of the Milo Hidup Bola futsal tournament on Tuesday.

“I think more players are in it for the money and not for the pride of playing for the country.”
The 61-year-old certainly got it spot-on considering the obscene amount of money being paid to mediocre players.

Another former great Datuk Shukor Salleh echoed Santokh’s sentiments and added that “the current crop of players are lacking in quality”.

“It will be hard for any coach to train a team if the players do not have quality. In our days, everyone knew what needed to be done on the pitch,” said the midfielder.

The duo, together with former national skipper Datuk Soh Chin Aun were present to show their support at the launch of the Milo Hidup Bola campaign, an initiative aimed at developing the game at grassroots level and producing the next wave of footballing talent.

Milo sports marketing manager Ng Ping Long reaffirmed its commitment to develop the sport at the grassroots level.

Milo plan to select eight players from the futsal tournament to be sent for international training.
The 14-leg tournament (in every state) will culminate with the grand finals on June 22, with a total of RM18,000 worth of prizes and merchandise up for grabs.

Malaysia’s 1975 World Cup team the best-ever assembled

I WRITE this letter in appreciation of my fellow player and captain of the 1975 Malaysian World Cup hockey team, Datuk N. Sri Shanmuganathan who, on Tuesday, was awarded the Darjah Datuk Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP) by the Sultan of Perak.

To my captain, I am very proud that you have been finally recognised and awarded this title for all the contributions and sacrifices you made for the game of hockey, as a player, manager and coach.

As the captain, especially of the ’75 World Cup you led the team exceptionally well and who can forget the winning goal you scored against Holland, the reigning World Cup champions at that time, on March 11, 1975 at the Kilat Club. It also happened to be the birthday of our beloved Prime Minister at that time the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, who was the president of the Malaysian Hockey Federation.

Tun Razak gave each player and official a gold Omega watch for our effort.

I was very honoured to be in that team and we played really well under your guidance and our late coach Datuk Ho Koh Chye. He will be very proud of you, Shan.

We were the best assembled team and we delivered the results. Till today everyone who talks about hockey refers to the 1975 World Cup team (pic). We were the BEST TEAM ever.

On behalf of the players of the team, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Sultan Azlan Shah for honouring Datuk Shanmuganathan with this title.

It is really a very meaningful honour for him and to us, Tuanku.

K. BALASINGAM,
(Member of the 1975 World Cup Hockey Team).

Ex-journalists organise event to honour icons who brought sporting glory to nation

(From left) Vijayanathan, George, Yogeswaran and Paramalingam.

FOUR former journalists have not forgotten the sports icons who brought glory to the nation.
The foursome — George Das, R. Velu, Fauzi Omar and Lazarus Rokk — organised a get together, Sports Flame, to honour the sportsmen and sportswomen who were household names in 1960s and 1970s.

The event, George said, was to remember the legendary sports personalities and honour them.
“Most of them have been left in the shadows of an industry that is continously aiming to produce the next generation of successful athletes. But we felt that their contributions and sacrifices should be remembered. Space and time have elapsed but we are hoping to immortalise these memories in our archives,’’ said George, the mentor of the quartet.

Jegathesan (left) and Datuk Nashatar Singh.

 

About 120 sports personalities and sports writers gathered in Kuala Lumpur to reminisce the golden era of Malaysian sports. The sports icons were from five sports — football, badminton, athletics, hockey and cycling.

Former national football midfielder Wong Choon Wah, who passed away on Jan 31, was one of the recipents of the Sports Flame.

He was in his usual jovial manner greeting all his compatriots.
Datuk Peter Velappan, who had served in Football Association of Malaysia as well as FIFA, was also present to meet his old friends.

“It is good to see them after a long time.’’ said Peter.

N.A. Baskaran (right) greeting Zaiton Othman (left) and V. Angamah.

 

Former hockey international C. Paramalingam said he was pleased to be invited for such a meaningful event.

“All the sports personalities had a good relationship with the journalists. I think they were pleased to be part of this event. Meeting the greats from other sports is also good as we can recall the old days when we used to be in the Malaysian contingent for the SEA Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games,’’ said Paramalingam.

Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan, whose national 200m record still stands, shared his experience on taking part in the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, while former Malaysian Hockey Federation secretary and FIH umpire Datuk G. Vijayanathan and Malaysian Amateur Athletics Union secretary N. A. Baskaran were also present.

George said their group was not an organisation or corporation flushed with cash to reward the honourable men and women.

(From left) M. Kuppan, Fauzi, N. Thanabalan and the late Choon Wah.

 

“What we have for them is a simple momento acknowledging their respective contributions to the nation and the Malaysian sporting scene. This is our little but most heartfelt way of saying that we remember them for their sacrifices and recognise their roles in building the nation. Most importantly, we are proud of them,’’ said George.

Former national hurdler Ishtiaq Mubarak’s wife R. Selvarani was present with her two daughters — Shaniz and Shakira — and thanked the organisers for honouring her late husband.

Several sports icons, due to other commitments, were not able to attend the programme but George said they would be visiting the athletes to present the momento.
George said they were keen to make the event an annual affair.


THE LEGENDS
Athletics: Annie Chong, M. Jegathesan, M. Rajamani, Nashatar Singh, T. Krishnan, Asir Victor, Karu Selvaratnam, R. Subramaniam, A.Vaithilingam.
Football: Paul Mony Samuel, Peter Velappan, George Joseph, M. Chandran, Syed Ahmad, Shaharuddin Abdullah, Namat Abdullah, Wong Choon Wah, N. Thanabalan, M. Kuppan, M. Karathu, Clement Soosay, Chow Chee Keong.
Hockey: Freddy Vias, Mike Shepherdson, Aminulah Karim, R. Yogeswaran, C. Paramalingam, M. Doraisamy, Lawrence Van Huizen, G. Vijayanathan, K. Anandarajah.


Badminton: Teh Kew San, Tan Yee Khan, Ng Boon Bee, Yew Cheng Hoe, Tan Aik Huang, Tan Aik Mong


Cycling: Shaharudin Jaffar, Ng Joo Pong, N.A. Rosli.

10 Things you didn't know about Pandelela

Pandelela Rinong may have won a lot of competitions, but deep down she's just a regular girl at heart.

A BRONZE medal in the 10m platform at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London catapulted her to superstardom in Malaysia. Yet, even with her growing popularity as the poster child of Malaysian sports, Pandelela Rinong has managed to keep her feet firmly planted on the ground.
Despite the medals and trophies she has won, deep down the 20-year-old is just a regular girl who wants to travel the world and loves all things K-pop.
Want to know her better?

Here are 10 things you might not know about Malaysia's dive queen:

1. I am Pandelela
She says her name “Pande” is similar to the Malay word “padai” (smart). But, her diving coach and friends call her Lela. And mum has a special nickname for her – Nong.

2. No diving? She’d be a gymnast!
“I love watching gymnastics, so if I wasn’t diving, I’d love to have taken up either artistic or rhythmic gymnastics, possibly perform a floor or ribbon routine. I love the colourful ribbon,” shares Pandelela.

3. The power of prayer
Every athlete has their own way to prepare for that all important match/competition. This is how Pandelela prepares: “My special routine is to call or text my family to tell them that I’m going to compete and we pray together.”

4. Training
You might think this top athlete loves training, and you would be wrong. “I don’t enjoy my everyday training ... in fact I hate it (laughs). I think the plus point of that is that I get to chat and gossip with my team-mates. But I like doing gym work. And I much prefer the training sessions right before a competition. And if I’m not training, it’s sambal udang petai, chicken wings and carrot milk for me ... and seafood.”

Pandelela Rinong loves gym work more than actual training.

 

5. Guilty pleasures
Just like a lot of Malaysians her age, Pandelela likes K-pop.
“I like to dance to catchy K-pop songs and learn their dance moves. I have to admit I’m not good at singing but I still sing along to their songs. But it’s quite embarrassing to show this side of me to people other than my friends,” she admits

6. Budding traveller
“I’d love to travel and see the world. I do get to visit countries when I compete but if I have a competition to focus on, I can’t really enjoy the experience. I’d love to go to Seoul, South Korea, because I want to see where my K-pop idols Bing Bang live and see them in concert. Next on the list is Japan … simply to see cosplay events and the sakura trees,” she says.

7. I <3 strong="" totoro="">
Pandelela is a HUGE Totoro fan. Totoro is a character from the Japanese anime My Neighbor Totoro.

“I love all things Totoro. Basically, I buy anything that is associated with Totoro. I also collect Totoro toys and dolls. I have everything from Totoro bed sheets, bags, shirts, hat and stuffed toys!”

Pandelela Rinong is a big fan of Tororo - can you tell?

 

8. Biggest boo-boo
She is not perfect and not embarrassed to admit it either.
“It was a in 2010 during the diving World Series in Mexico. I was too focused and took the wrong position for the dive – it was different from the one that was called by the announcer. Then the whistle blew just before my coach called my name and I realised I was in the wrong position. I quickly changed my position and did the correct dive. But I was given zero points for the dive because once the whistle sounds, everyone should remain silent.”

9. Higher and higher
“High diving has a higher platform which is more challenging. I would like to challenge myself with that, but Malaysia does not have a high diving plaform yet. If I have the chance to travel overseas and try it, I surely will.”

10. Tennis idol
Who would she like to meet at the Laureus Awards in KL on March 26?
“(Rafael) Nadal, please ... (laughs). I admire his work ethic, he’s so hardworking! And I always see him play on ESPN.”

Joe Marcose, jasamu sentiasa berada dalam ingatan

DARI khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) sehinggalah ke Whatsapp dan Facebook, semuanya berlegar tentang khabar mengejutkan, "bekas Pengarang Sukan Utusan Malaysia, Joseph Antony Marcose (gambar) meninggal dunia pagi ini..."

Agak tersentak juga menerima khabar sedih itu apalagi pernah terdetik di hati ini untuk bertemu bekas boss yang banyak mencurahkan ilmu serta pengalamannya selaku wartawan hebat dalam dunia penulisan dan ulasan sukan.

Lebih dikenali dengan nama penanya, Joe Marcose, namanya terlalu sinonim di halaman sukan Utusan Malaysia.

Joe yang saya kenal, seorang yang lembut budi bicaranya, tidak lokek dengan pengalaman yang dimiliki selain sentiasa mahu berkongsi segala ilmu tentang penulisan sukan.

Bahkan sepanjang menjawat jawatannya itu, Joe Marcose yang terkenal dengan ‘muka senyumnya’ tidak pernah meninggikan suara ketika menegur atau mengarah anak-anak buahnya di meja sukan.
Menerusi pengamatan saya, Joe Marcose memiliki aura yang begitu hebat dalam arena sukan tempatan. Seingat saya, ketika mula-mula menyertai meja Sukan Utusan pada 1984, terasa juga diri ini dibayanginya.

Bayangkan hampir setiap kali menghadiri sidang akhbar, nama Joe akan ditanya terlebih dahulu sama ada oleh rakan media bahkan pegawai sukan terlibat dengan majlis berkenaan.

Pada 25 Januari lalu, saya memasang impian untuk bertemu Joe Marcose dalam satu majlis reunion Sports Fame di Hotel Concorde, Kuala Lumpur. Ia satu majlis menghimpunkan bekas editor sukan akhbar-akhbar tempatan selain legenda dan bekas personaliti sukan negara.

Malang dan terkilan sebab kelibat orang yang dicari tidak kelihatan walaupun ia tahun kedua saya hadir ke majlis itu.

Berasal dari Batu Pahat, Johor, Joe Marcose menyertai Utusan Melayu pada 1 Jun 1982 untuk menjadi pemberita di beberapa unit sebelum diserap sebagai pemberita sukan, penolong pengarang berita sukan dan memilih untuk berhenti pada 1 November 2000 ketika menjawat jawatan Pengarang Sukan.

Saya rasa begitu kehilangan kerana ketiadaannya ketika itu membuat saya teraba-raba untuk mencari tempat membuat rujukan apatah lagi selepas dilantik menjawat jawatan Pengarang Sukan.

Gaya penulisannya yang begitu bersahaja membuat saya tertarik dan satu daripada artikelnya yang melekat di kepala saya pada tahun 1989 ialah temubualnya dengan jurulatih Kelantan, Mohamad Che Su dengan tajuk, ‘Bola sepak bukan permainan orang perempuan’.

Temubual itu diadakan khas sebagai menjawab kemarahan peminat sukan bola sepak ketika itu dengan corak permainan Kelantan yang dianggap robust atau kasar.

Sepanjang menjadi Pengarang Sukan di Utusan, Joe Marcose pernah membuat liputan dari Sukan SEA, Komanwel sehinggalah ke Sukan Asia.

Dan satu perkara yang tidak dapat saya lupakan apabila Joe meminta saya membuat kajian tentang trend pembaca ketika itu sambil berkata: "Sukan sudah banyak audien, kita perlu tambah muka sukan..."

Ternyata idea dan cadangannya berhasil. Halaman sukan akhbar Utusan Malaysia bertambah daripada hanya dua muka surat kepada lima.

Joe Marcose juga pernah menjadi antara wakil media Malaysia dan Persatuan Bolasepak Malaysia (FAM) yang mengikuti satu lawatan ke ibu pejabat Persekutuan Persatuan Bola Sepak Antarabangsa (FIFA) di Zurich, Switzerland dengan kemuncak kariernya meraih anugerah Penulisan Berita Sukan Terbaik anjuran Institut Akhbar Malaysia (MPI).

Mendiang, yang merupakan Ke-tua Jabatan Media FAM dan pernah menjadi pegawai media Majlis Olimpik Malaysia (MOM) meninggal dunia akibat kanser pada awal pagi semalam. Beliau pernah menjalani pembedahan membuang ketumbuhan di otak pada 2012.

Kepada sahabat dan rakan-rakan yang mahu memberi penghormatan terakhir kepada Joe boleh hadir di Gereja Grace, 6 Jalan Persiaran Petaling, Seksyen 28, Taman Alam Megah, Shah Alam pada pukul 10 pagi ini.

Sesungguhnya, kita kehilangan seorang teman, rakan seperjuangan dan pejuang sukan yang komited dan dedikasi.

Selamat tinggal Joe Marcose.