NG Shu Wai is old news. No, not any more. When the national artistic gymnast was dropped from the National Sports Council (NSC) programme last year for indiscipline, he just disappeared.
He did not plead his innocence nor did he apologise.
Then, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) selected him for a three-month International Olympic Committee (IOC) Solidarity coaching programme in Hungary. And all hell broke loose.
NSC director general Datuk Zolkples Embong went ballistic.
“Why send a player who had turned his back on serving the country?” asked Zolkples.
OCM retorted by saying everyone needed to be given a second chance. But Zolkples was having none of that.
Still, the OCM’s board meeting on Tuesday chose Shu Wai to pursue his coaching career despite Zolkples’ strong objection.
So, who has got it wrong?
Olympian Shu Wai is not the first athlete to walk out of the national programme for some problem or other.
Sprinter Watson Nyambek, shuttler Ong Ewe Hock and squash player Tricia Chuah all parted ways on a sour note.
Currently, shuttler Mohd Hafiz Hashim is in a dilemma over a contract problem with his club (Nusa Mahsuri) while two taekwondo Olympians – Elaine Teo and Chew Che Chan – could be in trouble just because the Sports Commissioner does not recognise the Malaysian Taekwondo Association (MTA).
These athletes could be innocent or guilty. But they have one thing in common – there are no immediate solutions in sight for their problems.
Things get dragged on, and the problems fester.
Athletes have to go through several channels to get their grouses heard. Worse, some never get heard.
In the case of Shu Wai, is the NSC to be blamed? No, at least not Zolkples, who did his part. He had a heart-to-heart talk with the aggrieved athlete.
Said Zolkples: “We gave Shu Wai many chances to tell us what his problems were. In fact, I even went as far as making my officials go to his house. But he showed disrespect.
“If he had left the national team in a good way, I would not have a problem with this issue (on his coaching course).”
OCM secretary-general Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, too, acted the best way he knew.
Said Kok Chi: “I treated the matter of Shu Wai on the ground of humanity and compassion. I treated him just like my son. We want the best for our children even when they make mistakes.”
Is Shu Wai or athletes like him to be blamed then? An athlete should be responsible for his actions but many just do not know how to handle a situation.
But there is hope, at least with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
They are planning to form an independent group to solve problems faced by their members through a network. Problems will be nipped in the bud.
Malaysia too could take heed and form a group that takes care of athletes and their problems. The members should not be from the NSC, OCM or the NSAs so there will not be any conflict of interest.
It will be easier for an athlete to voice his grouses to someone who is not employed by the NSC, OCM or NSAs.
Currently, the Sports Commissioner’s office could be the ideal medium to help the athletes. But as things stand, the Commissioner could be the problem in some cases. Such is Malaysian sport.
Maybe, we could seek help from the IOC then.
No comments:
Post a Comment