Foul!

The National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) will begin shortly. It's chairman Azlan Iskandar is expected to address several queries raised in recent days - mainly about funds within the organisation.

So expect some slide shows detailing Yakeb's expenditure over the years. 

Perhaps something like these cost cutting initiatives:




And Yakeb's 2018 expenditure:

Since there has been zero funds from government this year, expect a certain Datuk Seri Megat to play white knight and raise RM500,000 from GLCs and MNCs.
There are also plans to ensure former athletes get job placements.
What about former national squash player Azlan? 
He could very well use this opportunity to set the record straight before leaving the top seat.
As Bone Thugs-N-Harmony sang, Facts Don't Lie. 

PRESS RELEASE

The Asian Sports Press Union (AIPS Asia) created sporting history when they announced the introduction of the prestigious ‘Awards for Asia’ at their 21st edition of Congress in Saudi Arabia, yesterday.
The ‘Awards for Asia’ will be the perfect stage to recognise and celebrate the tremendous efforts of Asian athletes at the highest level of world sports.
The decision to introduce the annual Awards was unanimous from delegates representing countries at the close of the Congress. It was a perfect end to a fruitful gathering jointly organised with the Saudi Sports Media Federation (SSMF).
The first edition of ‘Awards for Asia’ is expected to be held in the first quarter of 2019 with Malaysia being given the honour of hosting the inaugural edition of the event.
The ‘Awards for Asia’ will honour Asia’s best in several categories, namely ‘Athlete of The Year’, ‘Asian Team of The Year’ besides several other awards, including recognition for achievements in the sports journalism …

Fait accompli.

That was the message I received from an official who attended the two-day post mortem on the Podium Programme that ended today.

To the uninitiated, fait accompli means:


Another message I got during the two-day event was:

"Why is it even being called a post mortem? A post mortem is an investigation that is done following a death. Is the Podium Programme dead?"

Interpretations. Presumptions. Assumptions. It's amazing how the human mind works.

And the lack of clarity adds on to the suspense of the true reason why only the Podium Programme (a programme parked under the National Sports Institute), and not our whole sporting eco-system, is being scrutinised.

I believe my past articles are self-explanatory - evident that those responsible in elevating the standards of sporting excellence in Malaysia have failed to do so. They should all come under the microscope.

And the lack of proper communication by revealing facts and figures have only added on to the drama …

The focus seems to be on the Podium Programme for obvious reasons.
After all, those behind the programme had set high targets but have to date failed twice – failing to finish top ten in both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
While the knives are out for those behind the Podium Programme, a programme under the National Sports Institute, let’s not forget another programme under the National Sports Council – Kita Juara.
On Sept 7, 2015, The Star (in its article ‘Kita Juara’programme launched in bid for SEA Games glory') quoted former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin as saying:
“The ‘Kita Juara’ programme will lay the foundation for future success ... it’s not short-sighted.
“There’s no point becoming overall winners at the 2017 SEA Games and then let it all go downhill once more.” 
Malaysia became the overall winners at last year’s SEA Games – winning 145 gold medals, 92 silver medals and 86 bronze medals (total 323 medals). 
It went downhill after the SEA Games as M…

Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, the former Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary, has written the second part of his mid-term review of the Podium Programme.
For the uninitiated, Kok Chi - a former engineer with the Irrigation and Drainage Department of Malaysia and represented the country in water polo - has served Malaysian sports for decades, mainly through OCM.
Here are his views, as emailed to Foul! minutes ago:

Mid term review of the Podium Programme - Part II
After publishing my review of the Podium Programme, I received many views, comments and requests for clarifications, which I feel I should respond. The main questions asked were as follows:
What was the actual budget and how much had been spent and on what?Why was Podium Program staff paid higher salaries than other the National Sports Institute (NSI) and National Sports Council (NSC) staff?With regards to the workshop on the Podium Programme scheduled Sept 13 and 14 2018, is it fair for NSI or NSC to be reviewing…