Foul!

Right after the 13th general election, many begin to wonder of the new cabinet line-up. The focus among sports writers and observers would, naturally, be the best candidate for the Youth and Sports Minister's post. Astro Awani had, during its Sukan Awani Ekstra television programme on Saturday, asked me who could be the next minister to play an important role in Malaysian sports. They asked if caretaker minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek should be retained. I had said during the show that the ministry is and will remain important as it is evident that the Barisan Nasional government have yet to fully woo the many young voters as evident in the recent election. Having only captured 133 Parliamentary seats, this is the worst outing by the coalition government and efforts will certainly be made to get a tech-savvy minister to earn the trust and faith of the youths ahead of the next general election. Ahmad Shabery Cheek: Had visions but, just like many in his capacity, was often ill-...

"Much has been raised on the difference in the giving of Shakam incentives (Sport Reward Scheme), to normal athletes and paralympic athletes. In fact, on the lifetime allowance for paralympic athletes, after winning medals. "I find there is a need in that direction and the ministry will work on it. Nevertheless, we need to prove it through wins in the London Paralympic Games," he said. Those were the words of deputy Sports Minister Razali Ibrahim ( pic ) as published in NST . This reminds me of an article I wrote last year - Robbing 'em blind . And this also makes me wonder of the Paralympics RM4 million poser . I am sure our special athletes will thank Razali for initiating such efforts. And Razali is right to say that the athletes will also need to show that they truly deserve it by bagging honours. It's high time for all parties to walk the talk. HD says: And now to listen to Lou Reed's Walk and Talk It .

Program pembangunan sukan perlu diberikan lebih tumpuan kerana ia adalah elemen penting dalam melahirkan atlet yang boleh diketengahkan pada kejohanan antarabangsa termasuk Sukan Olimpik. Timbalan Menteri Belia dan Sukan Datuk Razali Ibrahim ( gambar) berkata program pembangunan sukan itu termasuklah menghantar atlet menjalani latihan di luar negara sebagai persiapan menghadapi sesuatu temasya sukan antarabangsa itu. Beliau berkata usaha melahirkan lebih ramai atlet negara tidak akan berjaya dengan hanya memperbanyakkan pusat kemudahan sukan. "Pembinaan pusat kemudahan sukan hanya mewakili satu pertiga daripada usaha itu (melahirkan atlet negara) manakala selebihnya ditumpukan kepada program pembangunan sukan. "Jika tidak disertai dengan program pembangunan sukan, kita hanya menjadi negara yang mempunyai banyak kemudahan sukan tetapi tidak dapat melahirkan atlet bertaraf dunia," katanya lagi. Itu merupakan laporan Bernama. Razali tepat menyatakan bahawa atlet-...