Foul!

Rasanya sebegitu. Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) membuat keputusan untuk tidak membenarkan kelab beraksi dalam Piala Presiden mulai tahun depan sehingga 2016 seperti yang tertera dilaporkan semalam . Menurut Bernama, Naib Presiden FAM Afandi Hamzah berkata keputusan itu dibuat Jawatankuasa Eksekutif FAM baru-baru ini yang bertujuan memberi peluang kepada pasukan negeri melahirkan lebih ramai pemain pelapis untuk diserapkan ke dalam skuad utama negeri masing-masing pada masa akan datang. Beri peluang kepada pasukan negeri? Bukankah baru-baru ini FAM ingin satu badan bebas untuk menganjur Liga-M bagi memenuhi matlamatnya menjadi liga profesional? Adakah ianya profesional untuk memberi 'peluang' kepada pasukan negeri dan menepikan kelab? Kenapa ada 'double standards'? Bukankah ini suatu lagi kes kelab bola sepak di Malaysia dianaktirikan? HD kata: Mungkin ada kelab yang gembira dengan keputusan ini kerana mereka tidak perlu mengeluarkan belanja lebih u

UPDATE 11pm: From Bernama; The FA of Malaysia (FAM) is not allowing club sides to compete in the President's Cup tournament from 2013 to 2016. FAM vice-president Datuk Afandi Hamzah said this decision was made by FAM's Executive Council recently and was aimed at giving more opportunities to states to produce back up players for their respective teams.  "The President's Cup next season will be limited to 16 teams including two invited teams which are the Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar sports schools and will be played on the league format." ---------- "Nope, we've not heard of such a thing. As far as we're concerned the tournament will still be held and even if anyone decides on such a matter, it must be tabled before the Exco and we will collectively discuss about it before a decision can be made." Those were the words of FA of Malaysia vice president Subahan Kamal when contacted yesterday. Subahan was contacted after efforts to spe

Haven't we heard this before? FA of Malaysia competition committee chairman Hamidin Amin was quoted by Bernama as saying; "The FAM secretariat will write a letter to the AFC soon to receive feedback on the setting up of the independent body, just like what a number of football powers in Asia have done." For the record, Hamidin is also FAM vice president and the FA of Selangor secretary. Why the need to form an independent body? Just look at Hamidin's position. He sits in the competition committee, is the vice president of the national body and is also a member of a state affiliate that competes in the Super League. However, one cannot blame Hamidin at all for it is the flawed system adopted by the FAM that allows such representation within the national body and the various committees. As seen in the English case of  R v Sussex Justices, Ex parte McCarthy; " Not only must Justice be done; it must also be seen to be done ."  What about MSL

UPDATED 7.15pm:  100PLUS Astro FAM National Football Awards Winners Best FA – Kelantan Best Club - Sime Darby Best Fan Club – Armed Forces Best Referee - Nafiz Abdul Wahab Best Goalkeeper - Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (Kelantan) Best Defender - Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak (Armed Forces) Best Midfielder - Safiq Rahim (Selangor) Best Striker - Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (Kelantan) FAM Special Awards - Late Tan Sri Ghani Minhat FAM Special Awards (Development) - Education Ministry Sports Director Ee Hong Most Promising Player - Rozaimi Abdul Rahman (Selangor) Best Coach - B. Satianathan (Armed Forces) Most Valuable Player - Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (Kelantan) ------- List of Shortlisted candidates for the 100PLUS-Astro Arena-FAM National Football Awards     Best Goalkeeper:     Mohd Farizal Marlias (Negeri Sembilan)     Khairul Fahmi Che Mat (Kelantan)     Norazlan Razali (Selangor)        Best Defender:     S. Subramaniam (Kelantan)     Mohd Aidil Zafu

"I would like a shot at leading FAM, properly. I would even press 'pause' on my political career for that. Give it one proper shot." Former FA of Malaysia (FAM) deputy president Khairy Jamaluddin certainly raised eyebrows with his tweets yesterday. Khairy has seen his fair share of ups and downs in the domestic football scene. The Umno Youth chief was once involved with the now defunct MyTeam before securing a position within the national body. The Rembau MP was rather vocal during his stay in FAM and that did not go down too well with some of the elders.  I've interviewed Khairy or better known as KJ, on many occasions - from the launch of UPB-MyTeam at Bukit Kiara, meeting him while he was deputy president of FAM and even sought a clarification after he was quoted as saying that the "Malaysian League was crap ". But he was willing to take the rap for his actions - a trait hardly seen by the current set of officials - as seen here and here .

Let's look at some of the headlines; BBC : Former England striker Les Ferdinand says the Football Association let black players down by failing to suspend John Terry for more than four games. Daily Mail : Roberto Di Matteo has vowed Chelsea would adhere to any rule change that would see players sacked for racist abuse. Left Foot Forward : Time for MPs to take action on racism in football – and for journalists to step up as wel l. ESPN : Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has welcomed the statement released this week by Rio and Anton Ferdinand regarding their stance on racism in football. Sports Illustrated : Serbia has suspended two of its under-21 players and two coaches for their involvement in a brawl with England players during a match that triggered allegations of racism. Al Jazeera: Enough is enough: Time to end racism in football. What is your stand? Pic taken from UNISON Northwest. HD says: There is no place for racism. Period. 

It's the time of the year where we see players are scouting for new teams. It's also the time of the year where coaches leave for better opportunities elsewhere. However, we often seen the same faces hopping from one team to another. This certainly does not paint a pretty picture despite the fact there are more than 100 A-licence coaches in the country. I'm also sure we do have local coaches who possess the AFC Pro-Diploma which is equivalent to the UEFA's Pro-Diploma . So where are the other coaches? Apparently some coaches just quit the scene despite their impressive resumes, some have personality issues with the officials that run the FAs. Others claim teams are hesitant to try out a fresh face. But a coach said this to me; "Why would a coach waste his time being part of a state FA that is not well organised? And working with officials who are clueless about football is even worse...a coach will be sacked even if he provides results. Just look at wh

Itu masih menjadi tanda tanya tetapi ramai peminat Liverpool terutamanya di Terengganu ingin melihat kelibat Fowler sebagai jurulatih T-Team musim depan. Apa yang pasti ialah penghijrahan kembar Abdul Radzak - Aidil Zafuan dan Zaquan Adha - ke pasukan 'Manchester City' baru, Johor FA. Azmi Muslim juga akan ke Johor yang kini terkenal dengan Legoland dan Johor Premium Outlets. Baca laporan penuh disini. Safiq Rahim pula dikatakan berminat untuk bermain bersama kelab Indonesia Arema Pelita tetapi ingin memberi fokus terhadap persiapan Harimau Malaya menjelang Piala AFF Suzuki bulan depan. Walaupun baru sahaja memenangi Piala Malaysia dan menerima lot tanah sebagai ganjaran, ada juga pemain Kelantan akan keluar yang ingin meninggalkan Kota Bharu. Ada ura-ura yang menyatakan bahawa Khairul Fahmi Che Mat ingin beraksi dengan kelab lain - atau bersama kelab Indonesia. Apa yang pasti, persaingan sengit akan berterusan di musim 2013. HD kata: Baru siap mengisi borang akred

Former national doubles coach Rexy Mainaky is reported to head back to Indonesia as the badminton giants plan to revamp its national set up. Rexy left the BA of Malaysia in April after the Indonesian revealed he took up a job offer by the Philippines BA as per my article in The Malay Mail . It was a two-year contract. Hardly six months working in the Philippines, Rexy will now oversee PBSI's development programme. PBSI's new general secretary Koesdarto Pramono was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying; “He is a young guy full of creativity and ideas. We all know Rexy has coached overseas and those countries have made progress. "Rexy’s appointment may end his overseas work, which have seen him coach both English and Malaysian players for several years before moving to the Philippines." However, the same article saw Rexy declining comment over his possible move to Jakarta. “I cannot comment [about the appointment] as yet,” Rexy said, as quoted by Antara.

Well 10 lucky fans will be able to join world No 1 Lee Chong Wei and long time girlfriend Wong Mew Choo 'yam seng' during the dinner reception on Nov 9 at the KL Convention Centre. Among those who are expected to attend the dinner include our beloved King, Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife who is also the BA of Malaysia patron Rosmah Mansor. There will be another reception for family members and close friends at the same venue a day later. According to Bernama's report, Chong Wei Bina Jaya Sdn Bhd's brand marketing director Sachi Choo said what the fans needed to do was to stay tuned to Chong Wei's ' Lee Chong Wei Official Fan Club ' status update on his Facebook. The picture above was taken from the same facebook page. Meanwhile, Chong Wei's brother Chong Hoon said their family members especially their mom is really excited about the wedding. "My mother is very happy and the whole family is excited about the wedding because they (Ch

UPDATE 2.57pm: And this is Hodak's response to the article below; "Will, may, could...these are all English words which are cleverly used. I am still negotiating with Kelantan so if you ask me my answer is simple - I don't know lah...it depends on what transpires between me and Kelantan FA. I have delivered and now it is about receiving the rightful payment. Everyone needs money, I need money, my wife needs money, my kids needs money, even my friends at Kelab Aman need me to make money so that I can buy them drinks (before bursting into laughter)." And in his SMS to me he said; "I am leaving Kelantan this week...till 15th November for holiday." LOL!   ------- So says Reuters as seen in this story; Joy was short-lived for fans of Kelantan soccer club when, after seeing the side complete the domestic treble with victory in the Malaysia Cup, coach Bojan Hodak hinted he may quit the top-flight club.  "I am a professional

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) could see itself losing a key main sponsor judging from the outcome of this year's Razak Cup tournament. Word has it that the main sponsor is apparently "not pleased" with the lack of promotion of the 50th edition of the prestigious tournament and were even "caught off guard" with the rescheduling of the final which was apparently slatted for Tuesday (tomorrow) before it was brought forward tonight (8.30pm). Many are still baffled to how the final is played on a weekday and if arrangements have been made for current Prime Minister Najib Razak to attend the final in honour of the tournament named after his father. MHC president Tengku Abdullah was earlier quoted by Bernama as saying that there is a need to "review the Razak Cup format" due to the huge gaps between participating teams. Hopefully, MHC would able to keep their sponsors happy for the benefit of the sport. Pic from MalaysianHockey . HD say

ATM 2 Kelantan 3. Itu merupakan skor perlawanan akhir Piala Malaysia malam tadi. Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (dua gol) dan Indra Putra Mahayuddin menjaringkan gol-gol Kelantan. Rezal Zambry dan Marlon Alex James pula menjaringkan gol-gol ATM. Walaupun ramai inginkan 'fairy tale' run daripada ATM namun Kelantan menunjukkan bahawa mereka merupakan pasukan terbaik musim ingin dengan memenangi 'treble' - Liga Super, Piala FA dan Piala Malaysia. Banyak insiden suka-duka yang dilalui Kelantan sejak musim 2012 bermula. Daripada penggantungan presiden Kelantan FA (Kafa) Annuar Musa , insiden bekas jurulatih Peter Butler sehingga ke denda RM40,000 dua hari sebelum final Piala Malaysia. Musim ini juga memperlihatkan kemasukan pemain-pemain import dan juga pasukan dari seberang tambak -LionsXII. Ada juga yang menyatakan bahawa pertembungan final Piala Malaysia merupakan pasukan ATM-FAM lawan Kelantan! Kedua-dua pasukan mempamerkan aksi yang cemerlang sepanjang musim 201

BAHANG Piala Malaysia sudah kini mencapai kemuncaknya. Perlawanan akhir mala mini merupakan pertembungan yang menjanjikan persaingan sengit di antara juara Liga Premier ATM dan juara Liga Super Kelantan. ATM, yang dibarisi beberapa pemain berpengalaman termasuk Hairuddin Omar, Rezal Zambry, pasangan kembar Abdul Razak –Aidil Zafuan dan Zaquan Adha – serta pemain import yang tidak asing lagi Marlon Alex James, mampu melalukan kejutan di Stadium Shah Alam (sepak mula 8.45 malam ini). Namun jurulatih ATM B.Satianathan mengakui bahawa Kelantan mempuyai kelebihan bermain di final. “Pasukan bola sepak terdiri daripada 11 pemain dan bukan enam atau tujuh pemain. Walaupun kami mempunyai beberapa pemain berpengalaman tetapi sebagai pasukan, kami masih muda,” jelas Satianathan. “Kelantan sudah tentu lebih bersedia bermain di dalam final berbanding kita. Lagipun mereka pernah bermain dalam banyak final sebelum ini.” Satianthan tepat menyatakan sedemikian kerana Kelant

The Sports Commissioner's office has finally spoken regarding the Malaysian Snooker and Billiards Federation (MSBF); form an ad-hoc committee it says. However, rumours around the green baize has it that certain individuals insist they do not need to conform or join such an ad-hoc committee for they are the rightful guardian of the sport in the country. Thus it will be interesting to see who will show up when the newly formed committee headed by Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress deputy president and former KLFA official Mohammad Noor Abdul Rahim meet for the first time next week. For the record, MSBF was suspended on July 19 while the snooker players have not enjoyed centralised training for years. The training center at Casa 1 in Bukit Jalil has not been utilised either. Most of our cue artists including former Asian junior champion Moh Keen Ho, Thor Chuan Leong and Lai Chee Wei are working in snooker centers but remain regular fixtures in the local tournaments. Chuan L

"Malaysia needs more sports icons who are able to inspire the nation, especially the young generation." Those were the words of Prime Minister Najib Razak while he was on radio station Melody FM yesterday. It was only natural for Astro Awani's Kamarul Bahrin to zoom into the quote as it turned into a topic of discussion -  Mencari Ikon Sukan (Seraching for the Sports Icon) - on Agenda Awani (channel 501) last night. Present on the show were Olympic Council of Malaysia council member and a man that needs no introduction in the national cycling federation Naim Mohamad and UiTM's Science and Recreation Faculty senior lecturer Sadek Mustaffa. The guests agreed it was difficult to churn another Lee Chong Wei or Nicol David ( pic ). But there is a need to ensure the gap between the best and the rest is not as wide as it is today. They also agreed it simply boiled down to grassroots development. Naim said; "It's a long process to search for world champ

I received this email yesterday. Looks like the Taekwondo saga still lingers on. Anyone care to explain what this is all about? Also, anyone care to provide an update of the case? HD says: It's the suing spree season.

"Teams that suffered huge losses to Kuala Lumpur, like the 6-1 drubbing of Perak yesterday, shows that some teams are not well prepared. So, I hope the oldest hockey tournament in the country can be given serious attention by teams." Those were the words of Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Shah after witnessing a Razak Cup match in Kuantan on Sunday. Scorelines can be misleading but it is the quality dished out by the teams which is important. And the Pahang Prince must have unimpressed with what he saw over the weekend. There were also scores of 5-2 and 10-0 registered yesterday as Malaysian Hockey provides the results in "good faith". Let's be real. State teams hardly had time to beef up their squads as most of the players were involved in the recently concluded Malaysian Hockey League. Then there was a two-day national training camp prior the Razak Cup. So can they be blamed? Also, it is the 50th Razak Cup tournament

Seperti tertera dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara 2011 . Majlis Sukan Negara - Pengurusan Geran Sukan   Perkara Yang Dibangkitkan Dan Syor Audit Kelewatan Pembayaran Kepada Persatuan Sukan Kebangsaan a. Semakan Audit pada bulan Oktober hingga Disember 2010 mendapati 457 tuntutan melibatkan 6 persatuan berjumlah RM1.63 juta lewat dibayar antara 109 hingga 350 hari bagi tempoh tahun 2007 hingga 2009. Bagaimanapun, tuntutan bagi tahun 2010 masih dalam proses kemas kini dan bayaran masih belum dibuat sehingga akhir tahun 2010. Semakan selanjutnya mendapati 3 Persatuan Sukan Kebangsaan (PSK) telah mengambil kira tuntutan yang belum dijelaskan sebagai penghutang dalam penyata kewangan masing-masing. Tindakan Susulan Yang Diambil a. MSN memaklumkan borang tuntutan rasmi bagi setiap tuntutan PSK akan disertakan sekali dalam Manual Prosedur Pengurusan Geran Sukan (MPK). Penerbitan manual ini akan disekalikan dengan Dokumen Perjanjian (MOU) antara MSN dan