Selamat Menyambut Ramadhan!

The Office Bearers and members of OCM wish to extend their greetings
to all members of OCM, NSAs, Sponsors, Media, and etc. Selamat Menyambut Ramadhan.

Spare a thought for Nadarajan

K. Kandiah

WHEN he was fit and strong, Nadarajan Devarajo sacrificed for the country as a national athlete. Today, at 35 years old, he is an invalid.

Nadarajan's passion for sports in general and athletics in particular was immense and he also had dreams of seeing his children run for Malaysia.

Tragically, a freak accident made the sprinter an invalid for life. He now needs 24-hour care and he cannot speak properly.

He cannot recognise faces but could recall if narrated. His memory remains intact except for the accident. The badly damaged part of his brain was removed.

The former bank officer was in a coma for six months and doctors have given up hope on his recovery.

Nadarajan suffered more misery when he fell and broke his leg during a physiotherapy session.

He lives with his wife Shamala Dorasamy, 30, a homemaker, and four children, Jivithra, 8, Lineysa, 7, and four-year-old twins Peravinash and Peravishah on a Socso aid of RM1,126 a month.

The Socso help is not enough. His medical bills, special diet milk, and pampers alone cost more than RM700 per month.

He applied to the welfare department for aid but has not received any response.

The wheelchair-bound Nadarajan and his family are now living with his sister D. Piramila, 34, who is a nurse at a private hospital, on the 21st floor of a rented apartment.

Nadarajan's plight is among those highlighted in the National Athletes' Charity Foundation's (Yakeb) 1Ringgit 1Malaysia donation drive.

He hopes the government would include ex-athletes of earlier years, especially the permanently disabled in its pension scheme.

"We should not be forgotten. We also need help. We, too, sacrificed to bring glory to Malaysia," he said.

"It is very difficult for me to maintain my family with the Socso money alone. My wife cannot go to work as she has to take care of me.

Nadarajan, with his wife and children, has to manage life on a monthly Socso pension of RM1,126. — Pic: RAMDZAN MASIAM

"My family and I now have to 'tumpang' with my sister," he said.

Nadarajan won bronze in the 400m and silver in the 4x400m at the 1995 Chiangmai Sea Games and silver in the 400m and gold in the 4x400m gold at the 1997 Jakarta Sea Games.

He also represented Malaysia in the 1993 Asean Schools Athletics Championships in Jakarta, the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games and the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.

The former Kepala Batas Datuk Haji Abdul Kadir schoolboy first came to prominence by winning the 400m in the 1993 National Junior Athletics Championships in Penang.

Two years later, he grabbed the gold in the same event at the National Open Athletics Championships and set a Penang state record of 47 seconds which has remained unbroken till today.

Teacher-cum-athletics coach S. Ramachandran, who discovered Nadarajan's talent, said the latter was a dedicated athlete who worked hard to achieve success.

Those who wish to contribute to the 1Ringgit 1Malaysia campaign can send their donations to Yakeb's Maybank account number 564847005696 or SMS YAKEB1 to donate RM1, YAKEB2 for RM2, TAKEB5 for RM5 and YAKEB10 for RM10 and send to 33898. Each SMS costs RM0.50.

For enquiries, contact 03-89964841/4844 or log on to www.yakeb.org.my.

* Watch BersamaMu-Wira Sukan, Anda Tetap Di Hati on TV3 at 9.30pm tonight.

Nadarajan harap jasa tidak dilupa

NADARAJAN (berkerusi roda) menerima kunjungan mesra pelajar USM dan wakil penaja, Faiza ketika mengadakan lawatan ke rumahnya di Tanjung Bungah, semalam.

Pernah menang emas 4x400m Sukan Sea

SUKAR untuk dipercayai, D Nadarajan yang dulu gagah berlari di atas trek, kini terlantar sakit pada usia 35 tahun.

Kerjaya gemilangnya sebagai atlit kebangsaan terpaksa dipendekkan berikutan kemalangan tragik yang mengakibatkan dirinya terlantar sakit untuk seumur hidupnya. Dia kini memerlukan penjagaan 24 jam dan kehilangan keupayaan untuk bertutur.

Dia tidak lagi boleh mengenali wajah tetapi boleh mengingati mereka jika dibantu. Ingatannya masih kekal kecuali jika ditanya mengenai kemalangan itu. Bahagian otaknya yang cedera teruk itu dikeluarkan.

Bekas pegawai bank itu berada dalam koma selama enam bulan. Nadarajan terus dirundung derita apabila jatuh dan patah kakinya sewaktu sesi fisioterapi.

Dia kini tinggal bersama isterinya, Shamala Dorasamy, 30, seorang suri rumah dan empat anak, Jivithra, 8, Lineysa, 7 dan kembar berusia empat tahun, Peravinash dan Peravishah yang ditanggungnya atas bantuan RM1,126 sebulan oleh Perkeso.

Bantuan Perkeso itu tidak mencukupi. Yuran perubatannya, susu diet istimewa, (Alpha Lipid) dan lampin memerlukan perbelanjaan lebih RM700 sebulan. Nadarajan pernah memohon kepada Jabatan Kebajikan tetapi tidak menerima sebarang maklum balas.

Nasib Nadarajan antara mereka yang mahu diketengahkan dalam kempen 1Ringgit 1Malaysia anjuran Yayasan Kebajikan Atlit Kebangsaaan.

"Kami seharusnya tidak dilupakan. Kami juga memerlukan bantuan. Kami juga berkorban untuk membawa kejayaan buat Malaysia.

"Ia adalah sukar untuk menyara keluarga dengan wang Perkeso semata-mata. Isteri saya tidak boleh bekerja kerana menjaga saya yang sakit," katanya yang memenangi emas acara 4x400m di Sukan Sea Jakarta 1997.

Mereka yang prihatin boleh menderma menerusi akaun Maybank Yakeb untuk kempen 1Ringgit 1Malaysia, 564847005696. Sumbangan juga boleh disalurkan menerusi sms YAKEB1, YAKEB2, YAKEB5 atau YAKEB10 (RM1, RM2, RM5, RM10) ke 33898.

Tabung kutipan juga turut disediakan di pejabat NSTP di Jalan Riong, Kuala Lumpur selain pejabat cawangannya di seluruh negara begitu juga Bank Simpanan Nasional.

Anda boleh menonton kisah Nadarajan menerusi program BersamaMu-Wira, Anda Tetap di Hati di TV3 jam 9.30 malam ini.- BERITA HARIAN

SportCheck: Thanks to his tough father

Vinashal Pillai

HIS father threw him into the river when he was eight years old. He was born with disabilities in his right hand and in both his legs,

It was not to end his life but to prepare him for adversities when he grew up.

Zul Amirul Sidi Abdullah vividly recalled that day. "When I was young, I used to accompany my father to the paddy fields in Miri. And one day, on the way home he said to me, 'You will thank me for this' and literally flung me into the river."

"My father was teaching me how to swim," he said.

Today, the 37-year-old father of four is a "professional" athlete though he is unable to secure a permanent job due to his disability.

The Sarawakian had competed in several meets, including the 2002 Asean Para Games in South Korea, the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, and 2008 in Beijing.

Zul Amirul Sidi Abdullah takes a breather during training at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil. — Pic: MOHD YUSNI ARIFFIN

A certified swimming instructor, he used to teach children during a short working stint in a factory in Nilai, Negri Sembilan.

Ranked World No 5 in the 50 metres backstroke, Zul trains daily at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil and goes back to his rented flat in Paroi, Seremban, to see his wife and children every weekend.

The Asean Para Games silver medallist is the sole bread winner in the family as his wife is unable to work due to back pain. He takes home RM700 a month which includes allowances from NSC and RM200 from the welfare department.

"I make do with what I have, It's not much but I'm thankful to NSC and the Malaysian Paralympic Council for supporting me all these years," he said.

Zul, who will compete in the Asean Para Games in Kuala Lumpur from Saturday, said: "I will eventually retire one day. It's a scary thought but my main focus right now is the Asean Para Games.

"My main event is the 50m backstroke. In Korea, I managed only a silver out of three events (50m, 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle).

" My target is three gold medals and I'm not intimidated by the competition," said Zul with a smile.

Zul is one of the many Malaysian disabled athletes who defy the odds to shine in their sports because of their determination.

The National Athletes Charity Foundation's (Yakeb) 1Ringgit 1Malaysia campaign was launched in June to help former athletes and current athletes. It offers two coverage plans -- for former athletes below the age of 69 and for those above 70.

Donations and sponsorship should be channeled to Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet Kebangsaan -- Tabung Yakeb, Maybank account No: 564847005696, or SMS YAKEB1 to donate RM1, YAKEB2 for RM2, YAKEB5 for RM5 and YAKEB10 for RM10 and send to 33898. Each SMS costs 50 sen.

For enquiries, contact, 03-89964841/4844 or visit www.yakeb.org.my.

n Watch BersamaMu-Wira Sukan, Anda Tetap Di Hati on TV3 at 9.30pm tonight.

Rabuan Pit - The fastest man in Asia

Buat pertama kalinya di Stadium Jawaharlal Nehru, Bendera Malaysia berkibar megah dan seramai 75,000 orang penonton berdiri memberi hormat apabila Rabuan Pit, anak muda yang bersemangat Hang Tuah ini dimahkotakan sebagai Pelari Terpantas di Asia.

Rabuan seterusnya memenangi pingat gangsa untuk Malaysia dalam acara 200 meter. Rabuanlah orang yang bertanggungjawab memulihkan maruah dan kemendungan Kontinjen Malaysia di New Delhi.

Rabuan Pit mendaki tangga kejayaan bukan hanya dengan kekuatan dan tenaga tetapi dipadukan dengan disiplin diri, semangat dan kesungguhan yang tulen serta keringat dan airmata.

SportCheck: Love for cycling still strong despite freak accident

Vinashal Pillai

THE bicycle, more often than not, is a popular means of transport or recreation but for Ng Joo Pong it was his life.

The former national cyclist picked up the sport as a 12-year-old and his first bicycle "was nothing compared to the ones you see these days."

"My first bike was an iron scrap but six months after that I got a racing bike which cost RM270," said the Kuala Lumpur-born Joo Pong.

"And I just wanted to be on the bike. Even during school hours, I would be thinking about my bike, it's all I wanted to do."

Joo Pong was soon riding in local competitions and soon started competing in the Malaya Open Championships, Asian Cycling Championships, Bangkok Asian Games and Tokyo and Mexico Olympics.

An impressive resume for someone who started out challenging neighbours to race and then getting younger brother, Joo Ngan, roped in as well.

Ng Joo Pong riding in the Cheras Velodrome. Pic: KHALID REDZA

"I got my first taste of victory in the 1963 Malaya Open Championships. I won the 1km time trial and was second in the 5km time trial," Joo Pong said with a touch of pride.

Incidentally, in the 5-km time trial, he came in second to close friend Rosli Abdul Kader.

"Rosli and I are still the best of friends. We used to train together along Jalan Duta before competitions and he used to show me a thing or two about road racing."

Joo Pong's passion for cycling was so strong that even a freak accident with a lorry during training couldn't stop him from winning a Gold Leaf-sponsored race in 1968.

"I used to break records those days but I also broke my jaw and lost a couple of teeth after the accident in Batu Tiga with the lorry," added Joo Pong showing the gaps where his teeth once were.

"But I won that race which I remember very well."

Today, the 63-year-old Joo Pong, who lives with his wife and his son in Shah Alam, sells lorries for a living and is a part-time taxi driver.

"My love for cycling is still strong. I still train with the bike or swim at least an hour a day," added Joo Pong, who also had operations to both his knees and suffered a stroke in 1990.

The National Athletes' Charity Foundation's (Yakeb) 1Ringgit 1Malaysia campaign was launched to assist former athletes like Joo Pong with their medical needs.

Yakeb is offering two coverage plans -- for former athletes below the age of 69 and for those above 70.

Donations and sponsorship should be channeled to Yayasan Kebajikan Atlet Kebangsaan -- Tabung Yakeb, Maybank Account No: 564847005696 or SMS YAKEB1 to donate RM1, YAKEB2 for RM2, YAKEB5 for RM5 and YAKEB10 for RM10 and send to 33898. Each SMS costs 50 sen.

For enquiries, contact 03-89964841/4844 or visit www.yakeb.org.my.

l Watch BersamaMu-Wira Sukan, Anda Tetap Di Hati on TV3 at 9.30pm tonight.

Joo Pong latih guna basikal buruk

Oleh Harris Rajahdin
harajah@bharian.com.my

JOO Pong masih ingat basikal Carlton pencetus kerjaya gemilang lumba basikal selama 12 tahun.

Ditimpa nahas jalan raya ketika sesi latihan ke Sukan Olimpik Tokyo 1964

SUKAR untuk dipercayai jaguh lumba basikal suatu ketika dulu, Ng Joo Pong sejak dulu hingga sekarang, tidak pernah memiliki basikal yang boleh dibanggakan sehingga kini.

“Sehingga sekarang saya tidak pernah memiliki basikal yang bagus. Harga sebuah basikal yang baik adalah dalam lingkungan RM3,000 ke RM5,000.

“Basikal pertama yang saya gunakan adalah dibuat daripada besi buruk ketika saya bermula pada usia 12 tahun. Kemudian saya guna basikal Carlton berharga RM270,” katanya pada satu sesi temujanji khas di Velodrom Cheras, baru-baru ini.

Joo Pong, 53, abang kepada jurulatih kebangsaan, Joo Ngan masih ingat basikal Carlton itu yang menjadi pencetus kepada kerjaya gemilang dalam lumba basikal selama 12 tahun, bermula dengan kejayaan menjadi pemenang pingat pertama buat negara dalam Kejohanan Asia di Kuala Lumpur pada 1963.

“Pada 1963, saya menyertai perlumbaan terbuka dan sekitar Februari, saya menyertai kejohanan terbuka Malaya dan menang emas ujian masa 1 kilometer dan perak 5 km.

“Saya mengalahkan N A Rusli dalam 1 km dan dia kemudian mengatasi saya dalam 2 km. Dia kemudian mengajak saya untuk berlatih bersama-sama. Ketika itu saya tidak mengetahui apa-apa mengenai lumba basikal.

“Selepas enam bulan, saya berjaya mendapat gangsa dalam ujian masa 1 km, pingat pertama buat Malaya dan emas dalam acara berpasukan,” katanya yang kemudian layak ke Sukan Olimpik 1964 di Tokyo.

Mereka yang berminat membantu Joo Pong yang mengalami kemalangan jalan raya dan patah tulang rahang ketika berlatih dalam usaha layak ke Olimpik 1968, boleh menaip YAKEB1 untuk RM1, YAKEB2 untuk RM2, YAKEB5 untuk RM5 dan YAKEB10 untuk RM10 dan hantar kepada 33898. Setiap derma dikenakan caj 50 sen kepada pengirim.

Sumbangan juga boleh disalurkan menerusi akaun Tabung Yayasan KebajikanAtlit Kebangsaan bernombor, 5648 4700 5696 (Maybank Berhad) atau menghubungi Yakeb di talian 03-89964841/ 4844 atau melayari laman web www.yakeb.org.my.

Penonton boleh menyaksikan episod khas mengenai kehidupan Joo Pong yang akan disiarkan dalam rancangan BersamaMu-Wira Sukan, Anda Tetap Di Hati di TV3 pada jam 9.30 malam.