Foul!

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...

Let’s take a look at some of the sports programmes we have had since the 90s.  At least five were listed on the National Sports Council’s website: Here are some of the more "popular" programmes: i.                   Jaya 98                           Launched in 1993, the Jaya 98 programme set the tone for numerous sports including diving, gymnastics and weightlifting, allowing them to grow and mould talents who were title contenders.. The architect behind the programme was Datuk Wira Mazlan Ahmad .  ii.                  Asiacomm This was what The Star’s Rajes Paul wrote in 2006 : TWO heads, they say, are better than one. And that's a maxim that's has been taken to heart in Malaysian sports.  Take, for instance, AsiaComm – a multi-million ringgit ...