Foul!

National tennis players Theiviya Selvarajoo (left) and Jawairiah Noordin at an event held prior the recently-concluded KL SEA Games. — Bernama "One more example was the “Tiger” jerseys designed for our sports people chosen to represent the country as a visual identity to help build the competitive team spirit. The stripes on the jerseys were intended to inspire young people with the spirit of the tiger, a symbol of power and courage, and grow up wanting to wear the Malaysian colours. Unfortunately, the jerseys were accepted but the spirit behind the stripes was not promoted , and we lost an excellent branding opportunity in sports." Those were the words of the nation's innovation and design guru Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing . Conversations in recent days continue to revolve around the just-concluded 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur and the upcoming Asean Para Games which starts on Sunday. A topic that intrigued me was our national contingent's attir...

Here's me trying to be taller than national high jumper Navraj Singh (left) and national 110m hurdler Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian. This picture was taken on August 27, when the two SEA Games gold medalists were invited as guests of Astro Arena's Analisis Nadi KL2017. Rayzam, 29, is the national record holder (13.67s). He had, at the Kurpfalz Gala competition in Germany in May, erased Nur Herman Majid's 23-year-old record of 13.73s. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak praised Rayzam for breaking the national record. — Twitter @NajibRazak  His victory at KL2017 was meaningful as the last time a Malaysian came out tops in the race was 10 years ago. And he has since expressed his intention to conquer Asia when Indonesia plays host to the Asian Games next year. I had, after the show, asked Rayzam - captain of the national athletics SEA Games squad - if he had a sponsor. The Sabahan replied: "No". "I get a monthly allowance of RM1,500 (from the...

Former national table tennis star Chiu Soo Jiin shares how she was emotionally drained after leaving the scene. — Facebook Following my earlier posting ' Life after sports for Malaysian athletes ', I've received numerous phone calls and messages by former athletes. The national heroes said the masses are unaware of the predicament they face once they leave the sporting arena and try to lead a normal life. One of them who reached out was former international table tennis player Chiu Soo Jiin, 32. In a rather moving message which she agreed to make public, here is what she said: "I read your article. Let me share this with you.  Table tennis was my life - since I studied at Bukit Jalil Sports School when I was 15 until I retired when I was 28. We were given an allowance of RM1,500 only and a sports scholarship.  Our sporting life is shot. One must have a degree to get a job easily. But not many athletes are degree holders. All they think about is competi...

Loh Jack Chang, a decorated wushu exponent and an MBA holder, is unsure what's next for him once he quits sports. “We’re taught we can push through anything, we can make it wherever we want to go, and we’re always told to not ask for help." Those were the words of US Olympian   Allison Schmitt. The Michigan-born swimmer was quoted in the article ' The Dark Side of Going for Gold ' — which discusses how athletes are prone to emotional crashes after the Olympics. As the 29th edition of the SEA Games ended in Kuala Lumpur last week, Malaysian athletes are also emotionally tested. They now ask - what's next? Most of them are enjoying a break, or what is widely known as a cooling off period.  However, many of those who competed in the regional Games said they are unsure what is their next assignment as they await instructions from their respective associations and the National Sports Council. But those who have expressed their intention to retire face a...

Rimau with a mock ticket in this picture taken from jomcuti.com.my "Bro, got free tickets?" I was flooded with that question throughout the just concluded SEA Games - especially for the Malaysia-Thailand men's football final. No, I didn't get any free tickets. But was it right for our ex-internationals to ask for free tickets especially for the opening ceremony? There were those who believe former 'Malaysian Olympians' deserve to witness the historic moment and watch our national athletes in action. Screen shot of a conversation from a WhatsApp group consisting former Olympians. But others insisted these 'elders' should set an example and show their support by paying — arguing the tickets for the opening ceremony were, after all, priced at RM20 each. There were also claims a large number of tickets were given out to certain individuals only. For the record, only the venues of 19 sports, opening and closing ceremonies required fan...

An Australian played an instrumental role in assisting Lee Hup Wei (left) and Navraj Singh Randhwa win the high jump SEA Games silver and gold medals respectively. — Star Online Expect the 'local v foreign  coach' debate to be reignited following the success of our athletics team at the just concluded Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. The athletics squad scored eight gold medals in track and field events. The eight winners (and coaches) are: 1. Hammer thrower Jackie Wong (Gu Yuan - China)  2. Hammer thrower Grace Wong (Gu Yuan - China) 3. High jumper Navraj Singh Randhawa (Alex Stewart - Australia) 4. Sprinter Khairul Hafiz Jantan (Mohd Poad Mohd Kassim - MALAYSIA) 5. Hurdler Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian (Jan Klaus Erasmus May - Germany) 6. Walker Elena Goh (Teoh Boon Lim - MALAYSIA) 7. Discus thrower Irfan Shamsuddin (Fero Petrovic - Slovakia) 8. Triple jumper Mohd Hakimi Ismail (Viktor Sotnikov - Russia)  From the list above, only two of the winning coaches are locals...

A magical sight was seen at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday as KL2017 ended with Malaysia finishing as overall champions. - Bernama 145 gold medals. It's the best Team Malaysia has ever achieved since the inception of the SEAP Games in1959. The 29th edition of the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur ended yesterday. The opening ceremony dazzled those at the stands and viewers at home while the performances during the closing ceremony yesterday jogged plenty of musical memories to many. Our athletes, the real superheroes, brought smiles through their heroic display. They made everyday a happy day. A majestic shot of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin by Ghazali Kori (Harian Metro). Kudos to the officials - from the coaches, the National Sports Institute and National Sports Council - for their hard work in ensuring our athletes perform to their best. But it was not all memorable. From 16 athletes downed with food poisoning to a bus driver being caugh...