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. 

It has been a roller-coaster year for the author. From being named Sports Journalist of the Year , venturing into a new job to receiving several letter of demands (one of them will now be tried next year), 2012 has been an 'interesting' journey. Here are some of the highlights of 2012 as seen on Foul! January Jan 4: Two athletes who competed at the Indonesia Sea Games were tested positive for banned substance. Jan 11: Negri Sembilan physiotherapist See Kim Leong passed away on Feb 5, 2011. Kim Leong's wife Audrey McLeod has not received a single cent as she was told her husband was " not insured ". Jan 14: BAM forms a three-man committee instead of hiring a high performance director. Told you so! Jan 19: The M-League 2012 was hardly a month old and yet it was rocked with match-fixing. Kes rasuah lagi. Jan 24: Contractors at the mercy of workers Jan 26: Johor prince takes over football Jan 28: Doctors against 1Care February Feb 1: Elyas ...

If you've missed the other wedding of the year - not Lee Chong Wei and Wong Mew Choo - but between top national squash player Azlan Iskandar and founder of ShoesShoesShoes and KLutched Yiu Lin , here goes.... SDE: Yiu Lin & Azlan from Manggis on Vimeo . HD says: Once again, congrats Azlan & Yiu Lin!

But you won't see the last of Azlan Iskandar ( pic ). The squash player announced his retirement from the professional circuit - something he has been toying about for sometime due to other personal commitments. Thus it comes to no surprise he was rather "fine" when asked how he felt right after the press conference held at the National Squash Center in Bukit Jalil. He was, however, overwhelmed with the response after making the announcement. "Of course I was taken aback by the twitter response," exclaimed Azlan. "But made the decision a while back. Thank you all for the overwhelming support." Azlan will surely be part of the sport through the Azlan Iskandar Squash Academy . And he will surely steal the headlines in the near future - not through his exploits on the squash courts for sure. For his full 'retirement' statement, read here . HD says : Thank you and all the best.

It is nice to see hitman Safee Sali enjoying acting stints on Indonesian TV . Football is his career but he gains extra cash - directly and indirectly - from such appearances and endorsements. Sadly, most of our athletes still lack in this department. Athletes like Safiq Rahim, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat and Azlan Iskandar are household names not only because they are good in the scene but they are media savvy - in their own way. Consistent appearances in the media - may it be print, radio, website or television - gives them mileage to win the hearts of advertisers. We are not asking them to bask in the limelight and forget about their priorities but to take advantage of their current status for their future as most quit the scene by the age of 35. Sadly, some athletes don't view it that way. Simple example. I was at the National Sports Council field in Bukit Jalil to interview the national team as they were preparing for a match against an EPL team. I approached seasoned players Hai...