Foul!

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 20...

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...

As published in today's Mailsport By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA — The recent exploits of Khairul Hafiz Jantan prove the country has amazing talents and coaches who are capable of turning our youngsters into champions. Olympic Council of Malaysia assistant secretary-general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi also credited schools for having nurtured talented athletes. Khairul Hafiz Jantan broke the 100m national record of 10.30s after clocking 10.18s to win the gold medal at the Malaysia Games on Wednesday. He also registered a new 200m Games record after he bettered his timing from 21.14s to 21.03s — all within 24 hours. He smashed the 14-year-old Games record of 21.33s held by Nazmizan Muhammad. “We are our worst enemies. We have plenty of talents but instead of saying nice things, we often doubt their capabilities,” said Kok Chi. “The country has plenty of talents, our local coaches are capable of moulding champions. Why can’t we accept that fact and help them?” H...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol THE national attire hogs the limelight for the not-so-right reason, yet again.   Mesuma Sports Sdn Bhd had last week initiated legal proceedings against the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) after the sports company claimed it was not given the opportunity to exercise the right of first refusal to extend its sponsorship agreement for another four years as stated in the agreement between both parties.    Mesuma Sports has been providing the national contingent the tiger-stripe jersey since 2006 until it got into a spat with National Sports Council (NSC) over the ownership of the design in 2011.   While Mesuma Sports' George Heng has every right to proceed with legal action, some have questioned the timing as it comes before the OCM elections on Aug 22. Those contesting for positions are already going to town with the news as Mesuma Sports had also named OCM president Tun...

As published in Mailsport today The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) has asked for a public declaration of assets involving national sports associations following 14 FIFA top officials who were charged with corruption amounting to US$100 million (RM360 million). “The Sports Commissioner’s Office should enforce a public declaration of assets, as this is the best way to ensure transparency. We are prepared to declare our assets. We have nothing to hide,” said OCM secretary-general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi. “This will frighten a lot of people, but if you have nothing to hide, then you shouldn’t be afraid. The declaration of assets and financial dealings will be a good deterrent to curb corruption among sports associations,” said Sieh, adding FIFA members have the power to change the outcome of the world football body’s presidential election as Sepp Blatter prepares for a fifth term in office. “FIFA affiliates, including FA of Malaysia can take the power away from Blatter by th...

As published in Sunday Mail By Vijhay Vick vijhayvick@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA — Sports officials, athletes and observers have lambasted Selangor for adopting the #KitaLawan motto for next year’s Malaysia Games (Sukma). The motto, revealed during a briefing with state sports associations at De Palma Hotel in Ampang on Friday, is the tagline used by jailed opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s supporters who are fighting for his release. The Sukma motto has the words Selangor peneraju kecemerlangan sukan (Selangor spearheading sports excellence) above an eagle’s head and #KitaLawan! below. The meeting was organised by the Selangor Sports Council and chaired by state executive councillor for sports, Amirudin Shari. Amirudin insisted the tagline was “not an issue”. Sukma is the national games participated by athletes aged 21 and below. The 2016 edition is in Sarawak. “It is a tagline associated with resistance. Sukma is a sporting event for the young. It is ...

As published in Mailsport today   By Vijhay Vick vijhayvick@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA - Exercising could cost slightly more come April 1 as futsal and badminton courts operators said they will be raising prices following the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST). And efforts by the government to promote a healthy lifestyle among Malaysians and reduce obesity and cardio-related diseases could hit a snag as many would be put off by the price hike, stressed sports officials. At present, one can rent a badminton court at an average of RM28 per hour during peak hours while the rental of a futsal court is about RM100 per hour. Operators have started announcing they will charge and additional six per cent tax on top of their current rates. "This is the beginning of many other price hikes. We can't just look at the cost of court rentals individually. It may seem as a minimal increase but GST is also sl...

Tired of the allegations, poison pen letters, visits by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and pot shots taken at his daughter, Olympic Council of Malaysia honorary secretary is adamant of introducing clear guidelines when it comes to officials dealing with sponsors. Kok Chi proposed that a meeting be held with the office bearers, as reported here . Also read past reports regarding the matter as seen here and here . HD says: Lets see if the members will agree to sit down for the proposed meeting in the first place.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi ( pic ) has never heard Country Joe & the Fish sing the Vietnam Song. The anti-war song was a hit at the 1969 Woodstock music festival. Nevertheless, both Country Joe and Kok Chi share a similar view. The retired civil engineer and former national water polo athlete has come under fire in recent times as certain quarters are plotting his downfall ahead of OCM’s annual general meeting and election on June 22. He is not enjoying the ‘war’ within. “What are we fighting for?” questioned Kok Chi. Read more in today's Mailsport. HD says: And let's sing along;     And it's one, two, three, What are we fighting for? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn....                                        ...

Olympic Council of Malaysia secretary Sieh Kok Chi ( picture ) is known to be one who speaks his mind. However, it comes with a price as his latest comments that appeared in The Star - Mr OCM speaks his mind - has apparently not gone down well with some of the office bearers. It is learnt that a letter was sent out, questioning Kok Chi's supposed "unethical conduct" as per his presumed statements that appeared in the daily. This certainly reminds one of the FA of Malaysia's  Article 88 saga. HD says : That aside, Keong Hee Huat Chye to my Hokkien friends.

Five of our national athletes received monetary funding of US$1,000 (RM3,055) a month since 2010 as they are recipients of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) scholarship . The five are shuttlers Lee Chong Wei, Koo Kien Keat, Tan Boon Heong, cyclist Azizulhasni Awang and middle distance runner P.Yuvaraj . Apparently there are talks that Yuvaraj has not been receiving his monthly funding. A quick check with Olympic Council of Malaysia secretary Sieh Kok Chi proved otherwise. "We have all the records and we have been paying to the associations and in Yuvaraj's case to the Malaysian Athletics Federation," stressed Kok Chi. Perhaps that would answer all doubts - or would it? HD says : Hmm....

What does Merdeka mean?   Pandelela Rinong - national diver, London Olympic bronze medalist “Merdeka means we are free from penjajah and we stand together as one.” Azizulhasni Awang - national cyclist “Merdeka literally means freedom from colonialization but in the new millennium, in the current context of our country, Merdeka reflects our country’s solidarity in the advancement towards being a developed nation and most importantly how we bring about the paradigm shift of our mentality to another level.” K.Rajagobal - national football coach “Merdeka holds a significant meaning to all of us. It reminds us of our grassroots and the ability to be harmonious in our country. Everybody should respect the values. Malaysia is a blessed country and we should not think of the negatives and look at the positives. It’s a country filled with colours.” Sieh Kok Chi - Olympic Council of Malaysia secretary “I’m proud and happy we have progressed so far. My beli...

I was called in as a witness for the on-going National Sports Council - Mesuma trial at the KL High Court in Jalan Duta earlier this morning. Also called in as witnesses for the morning session were Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) vice president cum National Sports Council board member Low Beng Choo, OCM honorary secretary Sieh Kok Chi and National Sports Institute chief executive officer Dr Ramlan Aziz. I just couldn't stop smiling... HD says : I'm still smiling....

UPDATE March 14, 2012: OCM, at its board meeting yesterday, decided to write to MAF seeking for an explanation. More in today's Mailsport. ---- This is about the Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) doping fiasco. I find it difficult to comprehend that no party can take action against the national body for its failure to disclose vital information as seen in a report it compiled on Sept 12, 2011 which was then handed to the president on Sept 27, 2011. 1. The National Sports Council are merely the funding arm of the Sports Ministry and have no jurisdiction over national sports associations. They can only withhold the allowances or sack their salaried coaches and withhold expenses for the training programme especially for the elite athletes. 2. The Sports Commissioner's Office can only take action against administrative flaws by the association. 3. The IAAF and Wada, despite emails to them, have yet to respond. 4. But I browsed through the Olympic Council of Malaysia's const...