Foul!

Olympic Council of Malaysia's (OCM) Tunku Imran’s Year End Message Tunku Imran and OCM secretary general Datuk Low Beng Choo. - Picture from The Sun Daily Another year has almost come to an end. 2017 has seen exciting times for Malaysian sport as in every year, but this year has been extra special as Malaysia hosted the 29 th Southeast Asian Games, after a break of 16 years. It was an even grander affair as the Games coincided with Malaysia’s 60 th Independence Day. I must congratulate all parties for making these Games a huge success starting from the Ministry of Sports headed by the dynamic Brig. Gen. Khairy Jamaluddin, who was also the chairman of the Malaysia SEA Games Organising Committee (MASOC), additionally the National Sports Council (NSC), National Sports Institute, the National Associations, coaches, officials and more importantly the athletes themselves. Through the Kita Juara programme, the Malaysian contingent was well prepared ...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol RUNNING has been an integral part of mankind's activities for centuries. Men ran to hunt for food while an organised long distance race was first documented as early as 690BC in Egypt. King Taharka mooted and laid down the rules for soldiers to run a 100km race which started in the area between Sakkara Pyramid and Faiyum Oasis before ending at Hawara Pyramid in Faiyum. It was a race where even King Taharka participated, to show his keen interest in the event. Running was part of the ancient Olympics which started in 776BC and the marathon has been featured in every Olympic Games since the inaugural modern Olympics in 1896. Marathons, half-marathons and 10km runs have been enjoying a strong following in Malaysia in recent years, attracting thousands of local and foreign participants. Last season saw a running competition held nationwide practically every other weekend. From the look of things, t...

As published in Malay Mail today By Haresh Deol and May Robertson mmnews@mmail.com.my KUALA LUMPUR — Athletics is in danger of being airbrushed from the 2017 SEA Games if Malaysia stands firm in dropping five traditional events. Thailand Athletics Association chief operating officer Major General Surapong Ariyamongkol told Malay Mail the Asian Athletics Association would not give its approval if marathon, 10,000m, 3,000 steeplechase, decathlon and heptathlon were axed from the bi-annual Games.  Ariyamongkol said this matter was raised during the two-day 84th Asian AA meeting in Doha on Feb 17 and 18.  “Representatives from several Southeast Asian nations spoke to (Asian AA secretary) Maurice Nicholas about the matter and he was unhappy the events were not considered.  “He told us the Asian AA will not approve the SEA Games athletics calendar if the organisers went ahead with the reduced list of events. “The organisers cannot simply drop t...

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...

A commentary by Mailsport team, as published on the back page today. PETALING JAYA — Many sports associations in the country are ready to hand over the keys to their kingdom to the National Sports Council (NSC) as they are afraid of losing funding if they were to go against the government agency. NSC yesterday called for the council to be given more power to determine the list of athletes for the Asian Games following a dismal outing at the just concluded Commonwealth Games. For the record, Malaysia returned with six gold medals, one short of their modest target and half of what they won at the last Games in New Delhi four years ago. High ranking officials from several national sports associations (NSA) said they are willing to allow NSC to take the lead in selection since it is their “paymaster.” If that is the case, then we might as well do away with sports associations. Since these bunch of losers are so desperate for handouts, they don’t deserve to be run...

I received this email yesterday. Looks like the Taekwondo saga still lingers on. Anyone care to explain what this is all about? Also, anyone care to provide an update of the case? HD says: It's the suing spree season.

If you think national taekwondo fiasco is over, think again. Pro Sport Taekwondo Club president Chandran Manogaran has filed a suit for 'defamation' and 'conspiracy to injure' against several individuals including Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja'afar recently ( pic ). Dari zaman former Sports Minister Azalina Othman Said till now, taekwondo penuh dengan drama...like those annoying Zee TV series that never seem to end. Bosan lah. Here's hoping for better days in the national takewondo scene. HD says: Oh well...

UPDATED Dec 18, 2011: Top UK athlete scouts for funds online to race in London Olympics. Read more here . --- Immediately after the OCM-Carlsberg Athlete Retirement Scheme ceremony at Wisma OCM, OCM president Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar ( pic ) walked towards me saying; "Deol, Mr Haresh Deol, how are you?" And before I could answer him, the laid back Negeri Sembilan prince said; "Don't you think rewarding our Sea Games winners with so much money is a double edged sword?" Deja-vu. Minutes earlier I was in Tony Mariadass's office together with former international Lim Teong Kim who has now made a name with the Bayern Munich football academy. And we were speaking of the same subject too! Is this a case of athletes being overly pampered that they will only need to set their sights on the Sea Games and nothing beyond? Read Mailsport's Reward athletes with pensions and Rizal Hashim's Duit, duit... HD says: Teong Kim is currently enjoying a short break in ...