Foul!

  YES, or NO? The Sportswriters Association of Malaysia has started a poll on its Facebook page. At the time of writing, 80 per cent has clicked on YES. There are obviously concerns. One was highlighted by The Star's Lim Teik Huat in his column today. He highlighted paragraphs from the Olympics Playbook that read:  “We trust that the measures laid out will mitigate the risks and impacts involved in participating in the Games, and we fully count on your support to comply with them. “However, despite all the care taken, risks and impacts may not be fully eliminated, and therefore you agree to attend the Olympic and Paralympic Games at your own risk.” Then there's a tweet - that the Malaysian contingent's participation to Tokyo has been rejected - that has been debunked by the Olympic Council of Malaysia and National Sports Council. It's "fake news", they say. The locals in Japan are rejecting the Summer Games to be held as the Covid-19 situation there is criti...

This is a press statement by Pakatan Harapan Wanita Chief Chong Eng. She is also Penang exco for social development and non-Islamic religious affairs and a long-time activist for women's affairs. National swimmer Cindy Ong’s shocking revelation should be taken seriously despite the fact that the alleged sexual harassment took place 20 years ago when she was a teen.  The media report also disclosed that sexual harassment did not only happen to Ong but also other young male athletes, who were victims of sexual harassment too, according to a former national swimmer who remained anonymous. The Youth and Sports Ministry should take immediate action to start looking into establishing a channel for athletes to lodge a complaint to prevent a repeat of such incidents in future while assisting Ong to lodge a police report.  Then the ministry should start probing the allegation by Ong and also find ways to protect other athletes, especially the teenage athletes.  While the Sexu...

The Youth and Sports Ministry insists there will be no compromise nor protection given to any individual if they are found guilty of sexually harassing athletes. Its minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said there shall be no cover-ups and no room for the predators. Read Twentytwo13 for the full article. At least Reezal Merican's statement is more sincere than his fellow Umno mate, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman who received a bashing over his lack of empathy in addressing the LRT mishap yesterday. But words alone are not enough. This is only the first step. Next up - hunting the culprits. It is important to create a safe space for our athletes. It is also important that the authorities identify the politician who had offered Cindy Ong money for sex. Hopefully concrete steps will be taken in addressing this pressing matter.  It should not end up like the Podium Programme Enhancement Committee. There were plenty of words (and heated arguments).  Yet, right after...

UPDATE 7.16pm: A former gymnast urged the Youth and Sports Ministry to view the allegations made by Cindy Ong seriously, as reported by Twentytwo13 .  -- Damning allegations that cannot be swept under the carpet. MalaysiaKini had earlier today quoted swimmer Cindy Ong and another athlete of sexual assaults by their former coaches and even a politician. There's also a BM version of the article.  Dalam salah satu kejadian ketika keluar negara, dia mendakwa seorang jurulatih menyentuh payudaranya. Ong berkata dia masih ingat jurulatih tersebut masuk ke biliknya dan menyuruhnya melelapkan mata sebentar sebelum pertandingan.  Lelaki berkenaan kemudian duduk di sebelah dan mengusap badannya. "Saya berbaring di atas katil, dia datang dan mengusap bahu saya. Kemudian, tangannya meliar ke sana sini ..." katanya. ... Seorang lagi bekas perenang yang enggan namanya disiarkan memberitahu Malaysiakini bahawa dia pernah melihat seorang jurulatih beronani di hadapan seorang perenang ...

  Following my blog posting yesterday ' Plot to remove Tok Mat for good? Will this be for the greater good of Malaysian sepak takraw? ', I received several phone calls and messages. Here's a message that I would like to share: "The issue regarding sepak takraw is that the Thais have been there for many decades, especially when they controlled the manufacturing of the balls, and in wanting to win all the time. They made millions from the sport. The problems have been there long before Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail. Why blame him only? Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association's (PSM) approach to the problems is totally different from the Thais.  The Thais adopt a commercial, political and winning mentality. In other words, it's a total integrated, must-win strategy which has been very successful. As for Malaysia there is no unity, too much internal misunderstanding and politics, no strategy and no leadership. As a result, we are left behind. Just name me one period or one PS...

  Former Selangor football manager Zakaria Rahim starts his day early. The above was posted on his Facebook page at 5.54am. He was referring to the action taken by Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (ASTAF) against the Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia (PSM). PSM has been expelled from the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (ASTAF) with immediate effect. This was after PSM president Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail, better known as Tok Mat, sent a letter to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and which was copied to the International Olympics Committee (IOC) in his capacity as ASTAF deputy president on Feb 24. On May 5, Tok Mat was handed a 15-year ban by ASTAF. Several state members have already ditched PSM.  Some say it's a plot to remove Tok Mat from the sport for good. Others say this will be good for Malaysian sepak takraw - a sport that has hardly made any significant progress and consistency over the past two decades.  But I doubt Tok Mat would want to wave the white flag just yet...

The Malaysian sepak takraw scene is in a mess. No I'm not talking about the performance of the team but the national body. Terengganu is the latest to quit the Malaysia Sepak Takraw Association, as reported by Berita Harian. The east coast state body said:  "PSM juga gagal dalam mengurus tadbir di peringkat kebangsaan serta gagal memberi penjelasan sebenar mengenai situasi yang berlaku antara PSM dengan ASTAF dan ahli gabungannya." It becomes the fifth state to distance itself from the national body after Kelantan, Johor, Selangor and Kedah. For decades, the same faces are seen in the national body and at the regional level. One wonders what have they done for the sport. Get well soon, Manshahar! National athletics coach Mohd Manshahar Abdul Jalil and two of his family members have tested positive for Covid-19. National news agency, Bernama reported : Presiden Kesatuan Olahraga Malaysia (KOM), Datuk S M Muthu berkata, Mohd Manshahar bersama seorang anak lelakinya kini men...