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 i

Pic is the cover of NSC's 2016 Annual Report 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 commun

Image: National Sports Council, Malaysia 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

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,

Image: National Sports Council, Malaysia Let's look at the newspaper reports since the Podium Programme was launched in 2016. Feb 2, 2016 Podium Programme takes off with aim to win 2020 Olympics gold (The Star) "The ambitious programme will involve 97 athletes and 36 coaches from 21 sports. All in, the Government will spend RM75mil this year." Oct 22, 2016 RM1.2b for sports development  (Daily Express) "In addition, a sum of RM70 million has also been allocated for the Elite Sports Podium Development Programme to prepare athletes for international sports events." Sept 5, 2018 Podium safe for now Minister says it would be an injustice to axe Podium Programme  (The Star) "In comparison, Malaysia only spent a total of RM170mil on the Podium Programme since it was launched in 2016. The National Sports Institute (NSI) chief executive officer Dr Khairi Zawi chipped in and said: “The RM170mil is spent for training, competitions

Just got off the phone with former Olympic Council of Malaysia secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi regarding his commentary on his Facebook page. Reproducing it here after obtaining his approval. Mid Term Review of the Podium Programme I am sure most Malaysians are aware Malaysia has won 6 Olympic Games silver medals and 2 bronze medals in badminton, one silver and one bronze medal in diving and one bronze medal in track cycling, since the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. Unfortunately, Malaysia has yet to win its first Olympic Games gold medal. On the other hand, Malaysia’s neighbours, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have already won Olympic Games gold medals. This, it has always been the top priority of Malaysia to win its first Olympic Games gold medal. The former Minister of Youth and Sports, Khairy Jamaluddin made it his target to win Malaysia’s first gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In November 2014, the minister commissioned a team of Australia