Let's not breed contented athletes
Haresh Says, as published in The Malay Mail today. IT was a humiliating defeat that irked Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. The national sepak takraw team lost 3-0 to South Korea (yes, you read it right) in the first leg of the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF) SuperSeries men’s final in New Delhi, India over the weekend. It was a double celebration for the Koreans after the hockey team bagged the Asia Cup title in Ipoh on the same day. Khairy was quoted by dailies as saying the ministry would reevaluate funding to the sport. This, however, did not go down well with certain quarters who insist 'professional' athletes in this country still require funding from the government. Boo hoo! Cynical as this may sound but Malaysian athletes are a lucky lot as most receive a steady allowance and accommodation from the ministry. A CBC news report, aired last Saturday, how some Canadian athletes raise their own funds to fulfil their Olympic dreams. ...