Foul!

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol THERE is something ‘magical’ about Malaysian football.  Its trophy cabinet is pathetic when compared to badminton and diving. Many within seem to own a DeLorean time machine for they are often stuck in the past. And the woes plaguing the FA of Malaysia (FAM) and state affiliates — from finances to ethics — are more alarming than Zika. Why is football still the nation’s No. 1 sport? Its pull factor is phenomenal. The sport has been able to reach out to many of all walks, uniting those of opposing views and enjoying hundreds of thousands of loyal fans. It comes as no surprise why many continue to be lured to the FAM presidency. Even holding a position, regardless how minute, is seen as an “achievement”. The nominations for the FAM top post will close on Monday, leaving fans and observers at the edge of their seats over who will take over from the Crown Prince of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Shah.\ Those nominated...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol A RATHER naïve but good-hearted devout Brahmin from Haryana, India with a magnanimous spirit helps a mute Muslim girl from Pakistan return home. That is the gist of the 2015 Hindi movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan (when translated means Brother Bajrangi). Bajrangi is played by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, a Muslim, while the cute "Munni" is played by seven-year -old Harshaali Malhotra, a Hindu. The Bollywood fanfare aside, the real hero of the movie, to me, was Nawazuddin Siddiqui — a Pakistani reporter (Chand Nawab) in the movie. Chand documents the journey of Bajrangi and Munni as they travelled from the India-Pakistan border to the little girl’s village in Sultanpur, Pakistan. Chand uploads their epic adventure on YouTube and it goes viral. The story of Bajrangi and Munni is later picked up by the local press in India and Pakistan. For the record, the character of the journalist in the movie was inspired by ...