The Ancient Olympics

The Ancient Olympics

Visit of Undergraduate Students of Yogyakarta State University to OCM

Commonwealth gold medallist Ang Li Peng obtains law degree

KUALA LUMPUR: Badminton gold medallist Ang Li Peng has gone on to conquer another “court” since hanging up her racquet in 2003.

Always one to overcome the odds, the gritty 29-year-old from Banting achieved her goal of obtaining a law degree, graduating last month at the University of Manchester.

Major victory: Ang with a picture of her and former doubles partner Lim Pek Siah after they won the Commonwealth doubles gold in 2002.

 

Many questioned her decision when she gave up badminton at the peak of her career after winning the 2002 Commonwealth Games badminton doubles gold medal with Lim Pek Siah in Manchester.

The pair had created history by being the first Malaysians to win the Commonwealth doubles’ gold me­­dal.
“I achieved my ultimate dream of winning gold before retiring. How many people have had the chance to do that?” asked the once-shy girl who is now a confident law graduate.

Her success in, and out, of the badminton court certainly did not come easy.
“I could not even speak English properly and used to stutter. Imagine how difficult it was for me when I did my A-levels in 2005, seven years after taking my SPM exam,” she said, adding that she made the decision to quit the sport and return to her books as she realised that a good education would secure her future.
Admitting that there were times when she felt like throwing in the towel, she said she also lost direction and did not know what course to pursue at one juncture.

Fortunately, she never let these initial problems affect her. She completed her A-levels before pursuing her Bachelor of Law degree at the university.

“It was akin to a badminton novice playing with Lin Dan, who sprays unpredictable shots all over the court. But the person gets better after playing with him several times,’’ she said.

Ang reserved special words of praise for her family, and friends like badminton lover Datuk Seri Andrew Kam, who owns the KLRC badminton club which has sponsored many badminton players around the world.
The determined Ang said she took up law because she believed in “justice, fair play and equality”.

Perfect role model

Fifty years ago, on Merdeka Day, he was inspired to make it big in sports. Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan has scaled great heights in athletics, winning plenty of plaudits and accolades. His passion for sports has not waned.

DATUK Dr M. Jegathesan flashed a broad smile. “You can call me the almost 50-year Merdeka man!” he grinned. “That's exactly how long I have been involved in sports.”
Indeed, he is.

Tan Sri Dato' Dr. M. Jegathesan

After dominating junior athletics for several years, he burst onto the international scene in athletics in 1959 – just two years after Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman declared our independence.

It was on Merdeka Day that Jegathesan was inspired to make it big in sports as a 14-year-old.

“I was studying in Singapore when I was younger. I came back to witness (the declaration of) Merdeka. I was at the Selangor Padang on the eve and the morning of the celebration. My dad (N.M. Vasagam), a financial assistant, was busy with the celebration,” said Jegathesan.

“My dad was really into sports. In fact, he was the founder member of the Federation of Malaya Olympic Council (now the Olympic Council of Malaysia). I remember that he paid the RM25 registration fee. That was big money those days,” he smiled again.
In fact, both Jegathesan’s father and brother M. Harichanda were members of Malaysia’s first-ever contingent to the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne.

“My father was then the team manager of the first Malaysian squad to the Olympics and my brother took part in the 800m. That was when I became aware of the Olympics,” he said.

“Those days, we did not have television. I went to a cinema two months after the Melbourne Olympic Games. Usually, 15 minutes before the movie, they would begin with the news. On that day, they showed clips of the Games. I knew what it meant to be an Olympic winner.

“But it was on Independence Day that I was really inspired.

“I remember the national anthem was played for the first time and the Malaysian flag was raised. It was great to be part of that historic moment,” recalled Jegathesan.

“At that moment, I told myself that it would be great to hear the national anthem and see the Malaysian flag raised again when I win honours in sports for the country.

Still in the fray: Jegathesan (third from right) talking to some athletes back in 1985.

“It did not take me long to realise my dream,” he added.

Just four years later, the national flag was raised three times – just for him – at the 2nd SEAP Games in Rangoon.

The rest is history. M. Jegathesan remains probably the greatest sprinter the country has seen with his 100m and 200m records yet to be surpassed.

Athletics, however, was not his only forte.

While burning up the track, he also graduated as a medical doctor – earning him the famous nickname of “the Flying Doc”.

Later, he was involved in the country’s sports administration and is currently going strong as the Olympic Council of Malaysia’s (OCM) vice-president, a medical adviser (including serving for two years with a UNDP-affiliated council on health and research in Geneva) and a lecturer at the age of 63.

His 32 years in the Health Ministry also culminated in Jegathesan serving as the deputy director-general (research and technical support) and also the director of the Health Ministry’s research programme.
“Malaysia has changed and we have to understand and accommodate the changes. We cannot treat changes in sports in isolation. The society has changed and, naturally, it affects sports. Nowadays, it is hard to find a volunteer. Even volunteers want to be paid,” he said.

“But Malaysian sports is not all that bad. In the world, we are top in squash, top four in badminton, top three in bowling and top 12 in hockey. The success in sports for Malaysia has shifted from the basic sports like athletics to the new sports like bowling and squash.”

While in a pursuit of sporting glory, Jegathesan hopes that today’s athletes will not neglect intellectual growth.
“I remember that during my running days, when there was a break between runs, I would take out my small notebook and revise. This habit does not die, you know,” he said, pointing to his small notebook filled with scribbles.

“I still jot things down. But I try to keep up with times. I carry a thumb drive around – it is so much easier than carrying all the documents,” he laughed aloud.

“Now, with the e-mails, the communication barrier is broken. It is so fast that I make sure I check my mails twice a day to stay abreast.

“Our full-time athletes have spare time. What do they do with it? Sometimes, athletes need intellectual distraction. They need diversion from daily training routines. Sporting pursuit is not enough; it must be in tandem with intellectual pursuit. Then, there is a balance.”

Over the 50 years, the most significant changes would probably be the way the athletes are showered with incentives for the excellence in sports. Sports has, in fact, become an area in which one can make a living.
Jegathesan, the first Malaysian to win an Asian Games gold in 1962, agreed that sports has become a money-making business. Asked about his thoughts on this, he quoted what Czech athlete Emil Zatopek, a three-time gold medallist at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, said: “You do not win races with money in your pocket but you win it with courage in your heart and a dream in your head.”

Then again, he is from a different era.
With his courage and dream, Jegathesan has become a successful Malaysian personality in sports and in medicine – he has won both the National Sportsman award and the National Scientist award.
Now, 50 years on, it is for other 14-year-olds to be inspired by him.

Largest Single Collection Of Olympic Torches In Singapore for Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games

A collection of 16 original Olympic Games Torches on loan from The Olympic Museum Collections have arrived in Singapore ahead of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (Singapore 2010).

These Torches – from 16 Olympic Games spanning 1936 to 2008 – will be on display at two exhibitions in August: Blazing the Trail at Level 3 of the International Convention Centre, and More Than Winning, which will be held at the Youth Olympic Village (YOV). This will be the first time that such a large collection of Olympic Torches are on exhibition in Singapore.

The exhibitions are produced in partnership with a curatorial team from the Singapore Philatelic Museum as part of the Culture and Education Programme for athletes and the public. Through artefacts – such as the Torches and Olympic medals – informative exhibition panels and interactive multimedia exhibits, the exhibitions will vividly illustrate how Excellence, Friendship and Respect have propelled the Olympic movement, right though to the creation of the Youth Olympic Games.

GOH Kee Nguan, SYOGOC’s Chief Executive Officer, says, "It will be a rare opportunity for everyone to see 16 original Olympic Torches in Singapore. These Torches, kept since 1936, are rich treasures of the Olympic Movement. I hope Singaporeans and visitors will enjoy the exhibition and experience part of the rich Olympic history."

Tresnawati Prihadi, General Manager, Singapore Philatelic Museum, says, "The inaugural Youth Olympic Games is a once in a lifetime event. We are very honoured to have the privilege to be part of this milestone event."

Exhibition details:
Blazing the Trail Exhibition at ICC Level 3
Date: 15 August to 25 August 2010
Time: 10:00am to 9:30pm daily
Free Admission

More Than Winning Exhibition at the YOV
Date: 13 August to 25 August 2010
Time: 10:00am to 8:30pm daily
Open to residents and visitors to the YOV only
Singapore 2010 – Blazing the Trail

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

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.